Lid opening and closing apparatus with mechanism for assisting opening and closing of lid

A lid opening and closing apparatus includes a base having an open portion; a lid having a rotational shaft and supported on the base to be rotatable around the rotating shaft for opening and closing the open portion; and a connecting device with one spring disposed between the base and the lid. The one spring is stretched for urging the lid in an opening direction when the lid is pushed to a pushed-in position beyond a closed position. The one spring is stretched for urging the lid in a closing direction when the lid is closed by a predetermined angle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

The invention relates to a lid opening and closing apparatus of a compartment or the like, and in particular, a lid opening and closing apparatus in which a lid can be opened and closed in an opening direction and a closing direction with an urging force of a single spring.

Conventionally, as such a lid opening and closing device, there is known a device in which a spring urges a lid from a closed position to an open position (see Patent Document 1).

However, in such a conventional lid opening and closing apparatus, it is necessary to close the lid with a hand, thereby causing a nuisance. It is also necessary to close the lid with a hand against an urging force of the spring, thereby causing a problem. In view of the problems described above, the present invention has been made, and has the following objects.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a lid can be opened and closed in both directions, i.e., an opening direction and a closing direction, with an urging force of a single spring.

According to the first aspect of the invention, it is sufficient to provide the single spring, thereby reducing the number of parts. Also, the spring urges the lid in the closing direction, thereby securely closing the lid. Furthermore, the spring urges the lid in the closing direction, thereby preventing the lid from unexpectedly opening from the closed position. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to eliminate a locking mechanism for locking the lid at the closed position.

A second aspect of the present invention-has the following object in addition to the object of the first aspect of the invention. That is, according to the second aspect of the invention, the lid can be opened and closed in both directions, i.e., the opening direction and the closing direction, with a comparatively simple structure.

A third aspect of the invention has the following object in addition to the object of one of the first and second aspects of the invention. That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, the lid can be closed using the urging force of the spring when the lid is closed by 45 degrees from the closed position.

A fourth aspect of the invention has the following object in addition to the object of one of the first to third aspects of the invention. That is, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the lid can be opened and closed in both directions i.e., the opening direction and the closing direction, with a comparatively simple structure of an engagement of a guide groove and a pin.

A fifth aspect of the invention has the following object in addition to the object of one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention. That is, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, a locking part of the pin is provided in the guide groove for securely opening the lid.

A sixth aspect of the invention has the following object in addition to the object of one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention. That is, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the pin engages a stopper while opening the lid so that the pin can be moved to a suitable position in the guide groove.

A seventh aspect of the invention has the following object in addition to the object of one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention. That is, according the seventh aspect of the invention, it is arranged such that a push arm can return assuredly.

An eighth aspect of the invention has the following object in addition to the object of one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention. That is, according to the eighth aspect of the invention, a damper device is provided for opening the lid slowly and quietly with a damping force thereof. In addition, the damper device is provided for opening the lid slowly and quietly with the damping force thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Each aspect of the invention is made to achieve each object mentioned above.

The first aspect of the invention has the following features. That is, the lid opening and closing apparatus has the following structure.

The base has an open part.

The lid is supported to be capable of rotating around a rotating shaft on the base, and opens and closes the open part.

The spring is singular. Also, the spring is placed between the base and the lid. Furthermore, the spring is stretched when the lid is pushed in to a pushed-in position beyond a closed position, and urges the lid in the opening direction with the spring returning force.

Also, the spring is stretched again by the lid when the lid is closed by a predetermined angle after the lid is opened by the spring returning force, and forces the lid in the closing direction with the spring returning force.

The second aspect of the invention has the following features in addition to the features of the first aspect of the invention mentioned above. That is, between the base and the lid, the following structure is provided.

(1) First Link Arm

The first link arm has one end part supported on the base with a support shaft to be capable of rotating.

(2) Second Link Arm

The second link arm has one end part supported on the first link arm to be capable of sliding. Also, the second link arm has the other end part provided with a pin. Furthermore, the second link arm is urged in a direction approaching the first link arm with the spring returning force of the spring placed between it and the first link arm.

(3) Push Arm

The push arm is supported on the base for moving the second link arm in a direction away from the first link arm to stretch the spring when the lid is pushed in to the pushed-in position.

(4) Guide Groove

The guide groove is provided on the lid for guiding the pin to be movable and moving the pin in a direction away from the first link arm to stretch the spring when the lid is closed by a predetermined angle from the open position.

The third aspect of the invention has the following features in addition to the features of the first or the second aspect of the invention recited mentioned above. That is, the predetermined angle is set to 45 degrees.

The fourth aspect of the invention has the following features in addition to the features of one of the first to third aspects of the invention. First, the guide groove allows the pin to move with an extension line of a line joining the rotating shaft of the lid and the support shaft of the first link arm as a boundary.

Second, the pin moves toward a backside away from a free end part of the lid with the extension line as the boundary to open the lid. The pin moves toward a front side approaching the free end part of the lid with the extension line as the boundary to close the lid.

The fifth aspect of the invention has the following features in addition to the features of one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention. First, the guide groove extends in a direction moving away from the support shaft of the first link arm at the closed position of the lid. For example, the guide groove has a starting end part near the support shaft and a locking part curved as extending away from the support shaft. Second, the push arm moves the second link arm in a direction away from the first link arm to move the pin from the front end part toward the locking part.

The sixth aspect of the invention has the following features in addition to the features of one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention. That is, a stopper is provided on the base for engaging the pin while opening the lid so that the pin moves from the locking part toward the starting end part.

The seventh aspect of the invention has the following features in addition to the features of one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention mentioned above.

First, the push arm has the following structure.

(1) Shaft Stopping Part

The shaft stopping part is positioned midway along a length thereof, and is supported on the base to be capable of rotating.

(2) Pressing Part

The pressing part (for example, pressing part of push rod), is positioned on one end part sandwiching the shaft stopping part, projects toward the lid, and is pushed down by the free end part of the lid.

The push-up part is positioned on the other end part sandwiching the shaft stopping part, and pushes up the second link arm in a direction away from the first link arm. Second, between the push arm and the base, there is provided a return spring so that the pressing part (for example, the pressing part of push rod) is pushed down by the free end part of the lid to return the push arm rotated around the shaft stopping part.

The eight aspect of the invention has the following features in addition to the features of one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention. That is, between the base and the lid, there is provided a damper device for damping a rotational force acting on the lid.

The present invention is constituted as described above, and has effects as described below. According to the first aspect of the invention, the following effect is obtained. That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, the lid can be opened and closed in both directions, i.e., the opening direction and the closing direction, with the urging force of the single spring.

Accordingly, it is sufficient to provide the single spring, thereby reducing the number of parts. Also, the spring urges the lid in the closing direction, thereby securely closing the lid. Furthermore, the spring urges the lid in the closing direction, thereby preventing the lid from unexpectedly opening from the closed position. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to eliminate a locking mechanism for locking the lid at the closed position.

The second aspect of the present invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention. That is, according to the second aspect of the invention, the lid can be opened and closed in both directions, i.e., the opening direction and the closing direction, with the comparatively simple structure.

The third aspect of the invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect of the invention. That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, the lid can be closed using the urging force of the spring when the lid is closed by 45 degrees from the closed position.

The fourth aspect of the invention has the following-effect in addition to the effect of one of the first to third aspects of the invention. That is, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the lid can be opened and closed in both directions i.e., the opening direction and the closing direction, with a comparatively simple structure of an engagement of a guide groove and a pin.

The fifth aspect of the invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention. That is, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the locking part of the pin is provided in the guide groove for securely opening the lid.

The sixth aspect of the invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention. That is, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the pin engages a stopper while opening the lid so that the pin can be moved to a suitable position in the guide groove.

The seventh aspect of the invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention. That is, according the seventh aspect of the invention, it is arranged such that the push arm can return assuredly.

The eighth aspect of the invention has the following effect in addition to the effect of one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention. That is, according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the damper device is provided for opening the lid slowly and quietly with a damping force thereof. In addition, the damper device is provided for opening the lid slowly and quietly with the damping force thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 9respectively show one example of an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view of a lid opening and closing apparatus.FIG. 2is a side view of the lid opening and closing apparatus showing a closed state of a lid.FIG. 3is a front view ofFIG. 2.FIG. 4is a partial sectional rear view ofFIG. 2.FIG. 5is an enlarged view of a guide groove of the lid.FIG. 6is a side view of the opening and closing apparatus corresponding toFIG. 2showing a state in which the closed lid is pushed in.FIG. 7is a side view of the opening and closing apparatus corresponding toFIG. 2showing a state in which the lid is in a course of opening.FIG. 8is a side view of the opening and closing apparatus corresponding toFIG. 2showing an open state of the lid.FIG. 9is a side view of the opening and closing apparatus corresponding toFIG. 2showing a state in which the lid is in the course of closing.

Opening and Closing Apparatus10of Lid20

In the drawings, reference numeral10indicates an opening and closing apparatus of the lid20.

The opening and closing apparatus10, for example, is used as a compartment, and fixed in an embedded manner in a center console of an automobile (not shown). The opening and closing apparatus10is not limited to a compartment, and may be used for an ashtray, coin case, or the like. An installation place of the opening and closing apparatus10also is not limited to the center console of an automobile, and may be installed in an automobile instrument panel, inner wall of door, inner wall of body, back of seat, elbow rest or floor, or the like. Furthermore, the installation place of the opening and closing apparatus10is not limited to an automobile, and may be installed in an electric train, ship, office machinery or furniture, or the like.

The opening and closing apparatus10, as shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, generally comprises the following parts.

The parts of the opening and closing apparatus10are not limited to (1) to (5).

The base30, as shown inFIG. 1, is formed in a hollow case having an open part31at an upper surface.

The base30, as shown inFIG. 1, has the following parts. The parts of the base30are not limited to (1) to (5).

The flange32, as shown inFIG. 1, projects outwardly from a periphery of the open part31. On left and right sides of the flange32, as shown inFIG. 1, there are provided pass-through holes33to34passing through top to bottom. Of the left and right pass-through holes33to34, as shown inFIG. 3, in the pass-through hole33on the left side, a pressing part122of a push rod120(described later) is installed to be capable of sliding in a vertical direction. Of the left and right pass-through holes33to34, in the pass-through hole34on the right side, a cushion member60(described later) is installed.

A pair of rotating shafts35is provided on left and right sides, as shown inFIG. 1, and project outwardly in a cylindrical form from the left and right sides of the base30, respectively. The left and right rotating shafts35, as shown inFIG. 2, are positioned on a backside for supporting the lid20to be capable of opening and closing.

The swivel shaft36, as shown inFIG. 1, projects outwardly in a cylindrical form from a left side surface of the base30on the left side. The swivel shaft36, as shown inFIG. 2, is positioned on a front side relative to the rotating shaft35for supporting a push arm100(described later) so as to be capable of swiveling.

The support shaft37, as shown inFIG. 1, projects outwardly in a cylindrical form from a left side surface of the base30. The support shaft37, as shown inFIG. 2, is positioned beneath the rotating shaft35and the swivel shaft36for supporting a first link arm80(described later) so as to be capable of rotation.

The stopper38, as shown inFIG. 1, projects outwardly in an oblong form in plan view from the left side surface of the base30. The stopper38(described later), as shown inFIG. 7, engages a pin91in a course of opening of the lid20, and moves the pin91from a locking part26to a starting end part25.

The lid20, as shown inFIG. 2, is supported on the left and right rotating shafts35of the base30to be capable of rotating, and opens and closes the open part31.

The directions of opening and closing of the lid20is not limited to the vertical direction, and may be a horizontal, downward, or diagonal direction. Concretely, the lid20, as shown inFIG. 1, has the following parts.

The hinge parts21-22, as shown inFIG. 1, extend as a pair from the left and right sides of the lid20.

The rotation holes23, as shown inFIG. 1, are provided near the centers of the left and right hinge parts21to22, and are formed in a circular form passing through in and out, respectively. In the left and right rotation holes23, as shown inFIG. 1, the left and right rotating shafts35projecting outwardly from the left and right sides of the base30are inserted, respectively. The lid20is supported on the base30to be capable of rotating around the rotating shafts35.

The guide groove24, as shown inFIG. 1, is provided on the hinge part21on the left side of the lid20, and formed in a curved V shape. In the guide groove24, as shown inFIG. 2, the pin91of the first link arm80(described later) is inserted, and moves following the guide groove24.

The guide groove24moves the pin91in the direction away from the first link arm80when the lid20is closed by a predetermined angle, for example, 45 degrees (seeFIG. 9), from the open position (seeFIG. 8), so that a spring70is stretched. That is, the guide groove24allows the pin91to move with an extension line (not shown) of a line joining the rotating shaft35of the lid20and the support shaft37of the first link arm80as a boundary.

On the other hand, the pin91moves toward a backside away from a free end part of the lid20with the extension line as a boundary (not shown) to open the lid20(seeFIGS. 6 and 7). The guide groove24extends in a direction away from the support shaft37of the first link arm80at the closed position of the lid20(seeFIG. 2), and, for example, as shown inFIG. 5, has a starting end part25near the support shaft37and a locking part26with a curved roughly L shape extending away from the support shaft37.

The sector gear27, as shown inFIG. 1, is provided on the hinge part21on the left side of the lid20, and is formed in a roughly quarter arc. The sector gear27, as shown inFIG. 2, engages a damping gear of a rotation damper51(described later).

The spring device40, as shown inFIG. 1, is mainly constituted by one spring70.

The spring70, as shown inFIG. 2, is placed between the base30and the lid20, i.e., between the first link arm80and second link arm90(described later). When the lid20is pushed in to a pushed-in position (seeFIG. 6) beyond the closed position (seeFIG. 2), the spring70is stretched and urges the lid20in the opening direction with a spring returning force.

When the lid20is closed by a predetermined angle, for example, 45 degrees (seeFIG. 9), after opens with the spring returning force, the spring70is stretched and urges the lid20in the closing direction with the spring returning force. Concretely, the spring device40, in addition to the spring70, generally comprises the following parts.

The parts of the spring device40are not limited to (1)-(6).

First Link Arm80

The first link arm80, as shown inFIG. 1, has one end part supported on the base30with the support shaft37to be capable of rotating.

Concretely, the first link arm80, as shown inFIG. 1, has the following parts. The parts of the first link arm80are not limited to (1)-(2).

The support hole81, as shown inFIG. 1, is formed on the one end part of the first link arm80, and is supported on the support shaft37projecting outwardly from the left side surface of the base30to be capable of rotating, as shown inFIG. 2.

The spring laying part82, as shown inFIG. 1, similar to the support hole81, is formed on the one end part of the first link arm80for hooking one end part of the spring70.

Second Link Arm90

The second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 1, has one end part supported on the first link arm80to be capable of sliding.

That is, the second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 1, is formed in a hollow square cylinder with one end part opening and the other end part closed. The second link arm90is capable of sliding relative to the first link arm80by inserting the other end part of the first link arm80from the open one end part of the second link arm90. The second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 1, has a pin91on the other end part. The pin91, as shown inFIG. 2, is inserted into the guide groove24formed on the hinge part21on the left side of the lid20, and moves along the guide groove24.

The pin91moves toward a front side approaching the free end part of the lid20with the extension line (not shown) of the line linking with the support shaft37of the first link arm80described previously as the boundary to close the lid20(seeFIG. 2andFIG. 9). The second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 2, is urged in the direction approaching the first link arm80with the spring returning force of the spring70placed between the first link arm80.

That is, on the other end part having the pin91of the second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 1, a spring laying part92facing the spring laying part82of the first link arm80is formed for fixing one end part of the spring70. As shown inFIG. 2, the two end parts of the spring70are fixed on the spring laying part82of the first link arm80and the spring laying part92of the second link arm90.

The second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 2, has the following parts. The parts of the second link arm90are not limited to (1).

The boss93, as shown inFIG. 2, is positioned midway along a length of the second link arm90, and projects outwardly in a cylindrical form from an inside surface facing the left side surface of the base30. The boss93, as shown inFIG. 2, contacts a push-up part102of a push arm100(described later).

The push arm100, as shown inFIG. 1, is supported on the base30for moving the second link arm90in the direction away from the first link arm80with a push rod120(described later) when the lid20is pushed in to the pushed-in position (seeFIG. 6), thereby stretching the spring70.

The push arm100, as shown inFIG. 6, moves the second link arm90in the direction away from the first link arm80, so that the pin91moves from the starting end part25toward the locking part26. Concretely, the push arm100, as shown inFIG. 1, has the following parts. The parts of the push arm100are not limited to (1)-(3).

The shaft stopping part101, as shown inFIG. 1, is positioned midway along the length of the push arm100, and is supported on the base30to be capable of rotating, that is, on the swivel shaft36protruding outwardly from its left side surface.

The push-up part102, as shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 6, is positioned on one end part sandwiching the shaft stopping part101for pushing up the second link arm90in the direction away from the first link arm80.

The linkage shaft103, as shown inFIG. 1, is positioned on the other end part sandwiching the shaft stopping part101, and projects outwardly in a cylindrical form toward a push rod120(described later). The linkage shaft103, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, connects the push rod120(described later).

The return spring110is positioned between the push arm100and the base30, as shown inFIG. 6, for returning the push arm100rotated around the shaft stopping part101when the push rod120(described later) is pushed down by the free end part of the lid20.

The push rod120has the following parts.

The parts of the push rod120are not limited to (1)-(2).

The linkage hole121, as shown inFIG. 1, is formed on one end part of the push rod120, and passes through in and out in a circular form. In the linkage hole121, as shown inFIG. 2, the linkage shaft103of the push arm100is inserted, and the push rod120is supported on the push arm100to be capable of rotating around the linkage shaft103.

The pressing part122, as shown inFIG. 1, has a bar shape extending from the linkage hole121. The pressing part122, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, projects upwardly passing through the pass-through hole33on the left side of the flange32of the lid20, and is pushed down by the free end part of the lid20.

The damper device50, as shown inFIG. 2, is positioned between the base30and the lid20for damping the rotational force acting on the lid20by the spring returning force of the spring70.

Concretely, the damper device50, as shown inFIG. 2, in addition to the sector gear27provided on the hinge part21on the left side of the lid20described previously, comprises the following part. The parts of the damper device50are not limited to the sector gear27and the following (1). For example, instead of a rotation damper51, a cylindrical air damper may be used.

The rotation damper51is an oil-filled type, and as shown inFIG. 2, is fixed on the left side surface of the base30with a damping gear engaging the sector gear27.

The cushion member60made of, for example, rubber, is installed in the pass-through hole34on the right side of the flange32of the base30, and projects outwardly and upwardly from the upper surface of the flange32of the base30. The cushion member60elastically contacts an inside surface of the free end part of the lid20.

Method of Using the Opening and Closing Apparatus10

The opening and closing apparatus10having the above constitution is used in the following manner.

First, when opening the closed lid20, as shown inFIG. 6, the upper surface of the free end part of the lid20is pushed downwardly toward the base30. When the lid20is pushed downwardly, as shown inFIG. 6, the lower surface thereof is pushed and the pressing part122of the push rod120descends. When the push rod120descends, as shown inFIG. 6, the linkage shaft103of the push rod120inserted inside the linkage hole121descends.

Accompanying the descent of the linkage shaft103of the push rod120, as shown inFIG. 6, the push-up part102positioned on the opposite side sandwiching the swivel shaft36projecting outwardly from the left side surface of the base30ascends. Therefore, by the push-up part102of the push rod120, as shown inFIG. 6, the boss93of the second link arm90is pushed up. Accompanying the ascent of the boss93of the second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 6, the second link arm90moves in the direction away from the first link arm80. Accordingly, the spring70is stretched, and the urging force is accumulated.

At this time, the pin91of the second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 6, moves inside the guide groove24. That is, the pin91positioned at the starting end part25near the support shaft37of the guide groove24as shown inFIG. 2moves toward the locking part26, and then is inserted and locked inside the locking part26as shown inFIG. 6.

After that, when the force pushing up the lid20is released, the lid20, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, is opened by the spring returning force as the spring70contracts. At this time, through the engagement with the sector gear27of the lid20, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the damping force of the rotation damper51acts by the rotation of the damping gear of the rotation damper51, so that the lid20opens slowly and quietly.

In the course of opening of the lid20, the pin91of the second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 7, contacts the stopper38projecting outwardly from the left side surface of the base30. Therefore, the pin91inserted into the locking part26of the guide groove24, as shown inFIG. 7, moves toward the starting part25. At the open position of the lid20, as shown inFIG. 8, the pin91of the second link arm90is positioned at the starting end part25of the guide groove24.

On the other hand, when closing the lid20in the open state, as shown inFIG. 9, the lid20is closed by 45 degrees with a hand. At this time, by the rotation of the lid20, as shown inFIG. 9, the position of the guide groove24is displaced. Therefore, the pin91inserted into the guide groove24moves in the direction away from the support shaft37of the base30, and the second link arm90, as shown inFIG. 9, moves in the direction away from the first link arm80. Accordingly, the spring70is stretched and the urging force is accumulated.

At this time, the pin91positioned at the starting end part25of the guide groove24moves slightly toward the locking part26(not shown). After that, when the hand is released from the lid20, the lid20, as shown inFIG. 9, is closed by the spring returning force as the spring70attempts to contract. At this time, by the engagement with the sector gear27of the lid20, as shown inFIG. 9, the damping force of the rotation damper51acts by the rotation of the damping gear of the rotation damper51, so that the lid20is closed slowly and quietly.

Even when the lid20is in the closed state, the spring70is somewhat stretched, and the lid20is urged in the closing direction with the spring returning force. Therefore, the lid20is not unexpectedly opened by vibration of the car, and the like. Even if a force acts by vibration of the car, and the like in the opening direction of the lid20, because the position of the guide groove24is displaced, the second link arm90moves in the direction away from the first link arm80by the pin91. Accordingly, the amount that the spring70is stretched is increased. Therefore, even if the lid20is slightly opened, the lid20is closed as before by the spring returning force as the spring70attempts to contract.

For the reasons mentioned above, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism for locking the lid20in the closed state is not provided, and may be provided. When such a mechanism is provided for locking the lid20in the closed state, a rattling of the lid20can be prevented when driving on a rough road, and the like.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-422653, filed on Dec. 19, 2003, is incorporated in the application.