Provided is a dual-axis torque hinge capable of moving a first shaft and a second shaft one by one in order. The dual-axis torque hinge includes a plurality of stacked first friction elements (6) which engage with the first shaft (4) and a plurality of stacked second friction elements (7) which engage with the second shaft (5). Each of the first friction elements (6) has an arm (6a) wound around the first shaft (4), and is configured in a manner such that tightening torque at the time of a relative rotation of the first shaft (4) with respect to the first friction element (6) in a tightening direction is greater than loosening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the first shaft (4) with respect to the first friction element (6) in a loosening direction. Each of the second friction elements (7) has an arm (7a), and is configured in a manner such that tightening torque at the time of a relative rotation of the second shaft (5) with respect to the second friction element (7) in a tightening direction is greater than loosening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the second shaft (5) with respect to the second friction element (7) in a loosening direction. When a second main body (2) rotates in one direction relative to a first main body (1), the tightening torque acts on one of the first shaft (4) and the second shaft (5), and the loosening torque acts on the other of the first shaft (4) and the second shaft (5).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a dual-axis torque hinge including a first main body, an intermediate body rotatably connected to the first main body about a first shaft, and a second main body rotatably connected to the intermediate body about a second shaft.

BACKGROUND

Since the dual-axis torque hinge includes two shafts of the first shaft and the second shaft, it is possible to increase an opening angle as compared with a one-axis torque hinge having only one shaft. The applicant proposes a biaxial hinge described in Patent Document 1 as the dual-axis torque hinge.

This dual-axis torque hinge includes a plurality of stacked first friction elements which engage with the first shaft, and a plurality of stacked second friction elements which engage with the second shaft. The first friction elements and the second friction elements are provided to apply torque on the first shaft and the second shaft. By applying the torque on the first shaft and the second shaft, it is possible to maintain any opening angle of the second main body with respect to the first main body, and/or it is possible to reduce impact when the second main body opens and closes with respect to the first main body.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

By the way, in the dual-axis torque hinge, it is requested that the first shaft and the second shaft can be sequentially moved one by one in order to smoothly open and close the second main body.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and provides the dual-axis torque hinge capable of sequentially moving the first shaft and the second shaft one by one in order.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above problem, an aspect of the present invention is a dual-axis torque hinge including a first main body, an intermediate body rotatably connected to the first main body about a first shaft, and a second main body rotatably connected to the intermediate body about a second shaft, the dual-axis torque hinge including:a plurality of stacked first friction elements which engage with the first shaft; anda plurality of stacked second friction elements which engage with the second shaft,wherein each of the first friction elements has an arm wound around the first shaft, and is configured such that tightening torque at the time of a relative rotation of the first shaft with respect to the first friction element in a tightening direction is greater than loosening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the first shaft with respect to the first friction element in a loosening direction,wherein each of the second friction elements has an arm wound around the second shaft. and is configured such that tightening torque at the time of a relative rotation of the second shaft with respect to the second friction element in a tightening direction is greater than loosening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the second shaft with respect to the second friction element in a loosening direction, andwherein when the second main body rotates relative to the first main body in one direction, the tightening torque acts on one of the first shaft and the second shaft, and the loosening torque acts on the other of the first shaft and the second shaft.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to sequentially move the first shaft and the second shaft one by one in order using the tightening torque (T1) and the loosening torque (T2) acting simultaneously on the first shaft and the second shaft.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the dual-axis torque hinge of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. However, the dual-axis torque hinge of the present invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided with an intention of enabling a person skilled in the art to sufficiently understand the invention by making the disclosure of the specification sufficient.

First Embodiment

FIG.1shows an external perspective view of a dual-axis torque binge10according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The dual-axis torque hinge10includes a first main body1, an intermediate body3, and a second main body2. The intermediate body3is connected to the first main body1so as to be rotatable around a first shaft4(seeFIG.2). The second main body2is connected to the intermediate body3so as to be rotatable around a second shaft5(seeFIG.2).

The dual-axis torque hinge10of the present embodiment is used, for example, to open and close a movable body such as a table, a counter, a door, or a lid of furniture, a vehicle such as a train with respect to a fixed body of the furniture, the vehicle or the like. It is also used to open and close the display of a laptop computer with respect to a main body of the computer. The use of the dual-axis torque hinge10of the present embodiment is not limited to these.

FIG.2shows an exploded perspective view of the dual-axis torque hinge10.1indicates the first main body,2indicates the second main body,3indicates the intermediate body,4indicates the first shaft,5indicates the second shaft,6indicates the stacked first friction elements, and7indicates the stacked second friction elements.

The first main body1includes a pair of first divided bodies1aand1b.The first divided bodies la and1bare formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a notch12is formed at each of their corners to avoid interference with the intermediate body3. A through hole13through which a tightening member such as a screw for attaching to the fixed body is passed is formed in each of the first divided bodies1aand1b.

The first shaft4is fixed to the first divided bodies1aand1bin a non-rotatable manner. The plurality of stacked first friction elements6engage with the first shaft4. A friction element engagement portion4aof the first shaft4has a substantially circular cross section. At both ends of the first shaft4in an axial direction thereof, rotation stop portions4band4care formed, for example, by knurling. The rotation stop portion4cis formed with a D-cut portion4c1in addition to the knurling. The first divided bodies1aand1bare formed with rotation stop holes14into which the rotation stop portions4band4cof the first shaft4are inserted.

The intermediate body3is rotatably supported by the first shaft4via the first friction elements6. The intermediate body3is rotatable, for example, within a range of approximately 90° with respect to the first main body1. The rotation of approximately 90° or more of the intermediate body3with respect to the first main body1is limited by the intermediate body3being in contact with wall surfaces12aand12bof the notches12of the first main body1.

The intermediate body3includes a housing15, the first friction elements6, and the second friction elements7. The housing15is formed to have an elliptical cross section. Housing holes15aand15bfor housing the first friction elements6and the second friction elements7are formed in the housing15. The first friction elements6and the second friction elements7housed in the housing15are fixed to the housing15by elastic pins16and17having a C-shaped cross section. Although the number of the first friction elements6and the number of the second friction elements7is equal to each other, these numbers can also be different from each other. The shapes and arrangements of the first friction elements6and the second friction elements7will be described later.

Lids18and lids19having holes through which the first shaft4and the second shaft5penetrate are attached to both ends of the intermediate body3in the axial direction. The lids18are made of metal. and the lids19are made of resin. The lids19are provided to prevent contact between metals.

The second main body2is also divided into two parts and includes a pair of second divided bodies2aand2b.The second divided body2ahas substantially the same shape as the first divided body1b.The second divided body2bhas substantially the same shape as the first divided body1a.The first divided bodies1a,1band the second divided bodies2a,2bare formed with stoppers11that are in contact with each other and determine a closed position (seeFIG.5(c)) of the dual-axis torque hinge10.

The second shaft5is fixed to the second divided bodies2aand2bin a non-rotatable manner. The second shaft5is substantially parallel to the first shaft4. The plurality of stacked second friction elements7engage with the second shaft5. A friction element engagement portion5aof the second shaft5has a substantially circular cross section. The second shaft5has substantially the same shape as the first shaft4. Rotation stop portions5band5care formed at both ends of the second shaft5in the axial direction. The first shaft4and the second shaft5are not connected by a link. The first shaft4and the second shaft5are freely rotatable relative to each other.

FIG.3shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dual-axis torque hinge10of the present embodiment.FIG.4shows an enlarged view of the intermediate body3ofFIG.3. As shown inFIG.4, each of the first friction elements6includes a connecting portion6band an arm6a.The connecting portion6bis formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape. The arm6ahas a base portion6a1and a tip portion6a2and is wound around the first shaft4. The base portion6a1of the arm6ais integrally formed on the right side of the connecting portion6b. The arm6ais curved in an arc shape from the base portion6a1to the tip portion6a2. An opening a is formed between the tip portion6a2and the left side of the connecting portion6b. A winding direction from the base portion6a1of the arm6atoward the tip portion6a2is the clockwise direction (the direction (1) inFIG.4).

When the arm6ais in a relaxed state, a diameter of an inner surface of the arm6ais smaller than a diameter of an outer surface of the first shaft4. Therefore, the arm6africtionally engages with the surface of the first shaft4and exerts radial compression to the first shaft4.

In a preferred embodiment, a radial thickness of the tip portion6a2of the arm6ais thinner than a radial thickness of the base portion6a1. The radial thickness of the tip portion6a2is thicker than a thickness of the first friction element6in the axial direction.

A cross section of the housing hole15aof the housing15substantially matches an outer surface of the first friction element6. At the position of the arm6aof the first friction element6, a gap g is formed between an inner surface of the housing hole15aand the outer surface of the first friction element6. At the position of the connecting portion6b,an inclined surface6b1of the connecting portion6band an inclined inner surface of the housing hole15aare in direct contact by the elastic pin16.

Similarly to the first friction element6, each of the second friction elements7includes a connecting portion7band an arm7a.The arm7ahas a base portion7a1and a tip portion7a2and is wound around the second shaft5. The base portion7a1of the arm7ais integrally formed on the left side of the connecting portion7b.The arm7ais curved in an arc shape from the base portion7a1to the tip portion7a2. An opening a is formed between the tip portion7a2of the arm7aand the right side of the connecting portion7b.A winding direction from the base portion7a1of the arm7atoward the tip portion7a2is the clockwise direction (the direction (2) inFIG.4). The winding direction of the arm7aand the winding direction of the arm6aare the same direction (clockwise direction). When the first friction element6rotates by approximately 180°, the first friction element6overlaps the second friction element7.

A cross section of the housing hole15bof the housing15substantially matches an outer surface of the second friction element7. At the position of the arm7aof the second friction element7, a gap g is formed between an inner surface of the housing hole15band the outer surface of the second friction element7. At the position of the connecting portion7b,an inclined surface7b1of the connecting portion7band an inclined inner surface of the housing hole15bare in direct contact by the elastic pin17.

In the present embodiment, tightening torque T1 at the time of a relative rotation of the first shaft4and a relative rotation of the second shaft5in a tightening direction is different from loosening torque T2 at the time of a relative rotation of the first shaft4and a relative rotation of the second shaft5in a loosening direction. This will be described below.

As shown inFIG.4, when the second shaft5rotates relative to the second friction element7in the tightening direction (3) (clockwise direction), the tip portion7a2of the arm7ais pulled downward as indicated by the broken line (4) inFIG.4due to the friction with the second shaft5, causing the arm7ato tighten the second shaft5. For this reason, the large torque T1 acts on the second shaft5.

When the second shaft5rotates in the loosening direction (direction opposite to (3) inFIG.4), the tip portion7a2of the arm7ais pulled upward opposite to the broken line (4), and the tip portion7a2is unable to compress the second shaft5and deforms outward. For this reason, the small torque T2 (T2<T1) acts on the second shaft5.

Similarly, when the first shaft4rotates in the tightening direction relative to the first friction element6, the large torque T1 acts on the first shaft4. and when the first shaft4rotates in the loosening direction, the small torque T2 (T2<T1) acts on the first shaft4.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the loosening torque T2 acts on one of the first shaft4and the second shaft5, the tightening torque T1 acts on the other of the first shaft4and the second shaft5. This will be described below.

FIG.5shows an operation diagram of the dual-axis torque hinge10when the second main body2rotates from an opened position to a closed position with respect to the first main body1.FIG.5(a)shows a 180° opened position,FIG.5(b)shows a 90° opened position, andFIG.5(c)shows a closed position.

When the second main body2in the opened position shown inFIG.5(a)rotates in the closing direction, the second shaft5attempts to rotate together with the second main body2, so that the torque T2 in the loosening direction acts on the second shaft5. At this time, since the first friction element6attempts to rotate together with the intermediate body3, the torque T1 in the tightening direction acts on the first shaft4. Therefore, only the second shaft5rotates relative to the second friction element7, and the second main body2rotates to the 90° opened position shown inFIG.5(b)with respect to the intermediate body3.

Once the second main body2rotates to the 90° opened position shown inFIG.5(b), the second main body2and the intermediate body3come into contact with each other to limit the relative rotation of the second shaft5. Once the second main body2further rotates in the closing direction, the first shaft4rotates relative to the first friction element6, and the second main body2and the intermediate body3rotate to the closed position shown inFIG.5(c). In this regard, the rotation of the first shaft4with respect to the first friction element6is relative. Thus, the first friction element6actually rotates relative to the first shaft4fixed to the first main body1.

As described above, when the second main body2is opened with respect to the first main body1, the first shaft4and the second shaft5can be sequentially moved one by one in order using the tightening torque T1 and the loosening torque T2 simultaneously acting on the first shaft4and the second shaft5.

When the second main body2in the closed position inFIG.5(c)rotates in the opening direction, the torque T1 in the tightening direction acts on the second shaft5, and the torque T2 in the loosening direction acts on the first shaft4. Therefore, the first shaft4rotates relative to the first friction element6, and the second main body2and the intermediate body3rotate to the 90° opened position shown inFIG.5(b)with respect to the first main body1. Once the intermediate body3rotates to the 90° opened position shown inFIG.5(b), the intermediate body3and the first main body1come into contact with each other to limit the relative rotation of the first shaft4.

Once the second main body2further rotates in the opening direction, the second shaft5rotates relative to the second friction element7, and the second main body2rotates to the opened position shown inFIG.5(a)with respect to the intermediate body3.

As described above, even when the second main body2is closed with respect to the first main body1, the first shaft4and the second shaft5can be sequentially moved one by one in order by using the tightening torque T1 and the loosening torque T2 simultaneously acting on the first shaft4and the second shaft5.

Further, according to the dual-axis torque hinge10of the present embodiment, the movement of the second main body2can also be made the same between when the second main body2is opened and when the second main body2is closed. This will be described below.

FIG.6shows an operation diagram of the dual-axis torque hinge10of the present embodiment.FIG.6shows the dual-axis torque hinge10from the opposite direction toFIG.5. The operation diagram ofFIG.5and the operation diagram ofFIG.6are substantially the same.

As described above, once the second main body2in the opened position shown inFIG.6(a)is closed, the second main body2and the intermediate body3reach the closed position shown inFIG.6(c)via the 90° opened position shown inFIG.6(b). Once the second main body2in the closed position shown inFIG.6(c)is opened, the second main body2and the intermediate body3reach the opened position shown inFIG.6(a)via the 90° opened position shown inFIG.6(b). Postures of the second main body2and the intermediate body3at the 90° opened position shown inFIG.6(b)are the same between when the second main body2is closed and when the second main body2is opened.

FIG.7shows an operation diagram of a conventional two-axis torque hinge described in Patent Document 1. In the conventional torque hinge, the torque acting on the first shaft4is made different from the torque acting on the second shaft5. However. the first friction element6and the second friction element7are formed in a ring shape, and the tightening torque T1 and the loosening torque T2 are equal. Therefore, once the second main body2in the opened position shown inFIG.7(a)is closed, the second main body2and the intermediate body3reach the closed position shown inFIG.7(c)via the 90° opened position shown inFIG.7(b1). Once the second main body2in the closed position shown inFIG.7(c)is opened, the second main body2and the intermediate body3reach the opened position shown inFIG.7(a)via the 90° opened position shown inFIG.7(b2). At the 90° opened positions shown inFIG.7(b1) andFIG.7(b2), the postures of the second main body2and the intermediate body3are different between when the second main body2is closed and when the second main body2is opened.

Second Embodiment

FIG.8shows an exploded perspective view of a dual-axis torque hinge20according to a second embodiment of the present invention.1indicates the first main body,3indicates the intermediate body.2indicates the second main body,4indicates the first shaft, and5indicates the second shaft. The configurations of the first main body1, the second main body2, the first shaft4, and the second shaft5are the same as those of the dual-axis torque hinge10of the first embodiment. Thus, the same reference numerals are given and the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the dual-axis torque hinge10of the first embodiment. the first friction element6and the second friction element7are separately formed, whereas in the dual-axis torque hinge20of the second embodiment, the first friction element6and the second friction element7are integrally formed. That is, the intermediate body3includes a friction plate22in which the first friction element6and the second friction element7are integrated.

As shown inFIG.9, the first friction element6has an arm6a,and is configured such that the tightening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the first shaft4with respect to the first friction element6in the tightening direction is greater than the loosening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the first shaft4with respect to the first friction element6in the loosening direction. The arm6ahas a base portion6a1and a tip portion6a2and is wound around the first shaft4. The base portion6a1of the arm is integrally formed on the right side of the connecting portion6b.The arm6ais curved in an arc shape from the base portion6a1to the tip portion6a2.

The second friction element7has an arm7aand is configured such that the tightening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the second shaft5with respect to the second friction element7in the tightening direction is greater than the loosening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the second shaft5with respect to the second friction element7in the loosening direction. The arm7ahas a base portion7a1and a tip portion7a2and is wound around the second shaft5. The base portion7a1of the arm7ais integrally formed on the left side of the connecting portion7b.The arm7ais curved in an are shape from the base portion7a1to the tip portion7a2. A winding direction from the base portion7a1of the arm7atoward the tip portion7a2is the same as a winding direction from the base portion6a1of the arm6atoward the tip portion6a2.

A housing hole21afor housing the friction plate22is formed in the housing21of the intermediate body3. A cross-sectional shape of the housing hole21asubstantially matches an outer surface of the friction plate22. The friction plate22is fixed to the housing21by an elastic pin23. At the positions of the arms6aand7a,gaps g are created between an inner surface of the housing hole21aand the outer surfaces of the arms6aand7a.

The dual-axis torque hinge20of the second embodiment exhibits the same effect as the dual-axis torque hinge10of the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

FIG.10shows an external perspective view of a dual-axis torque hinge30according to a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG.11shows an exploded perspective view of the dual-axis torque hinge30.1indicates the first main body.3indicates the intermediate body,2indicates the second main body,4indicates the first shaft, and5indicates the second shaft. The configurations of the first main body1. the second main body2, the first shaft4, and the second shaft5are the same as those of the dual-axis torque hinge10of the first embodiment. For this reason, the same reference numerals are given and the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the dual-axis torque hinge30of the third embodiment, the first friction element6and the second friction element7are integrally formed. That is, the intermediate body3includes a friction plate31in which the first friction element6and the second friction element7are integrated. The friction plate31is exposed without being covered by a housing.

As shown inFIG.12, the first friction element6has an arm6a,and is configured such that the tightening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the first shaft4with respect to the first friction element6in the tightening direction is greater than the loosening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the first shaft4with respect to the first friction element6in the loosening direction. The arm6ais formed by making an arc-shaped notch c in the friction plate31. The arm6ahas a base portion6a1and a tip portion6a2and is wound around the first shaft4. The base portion6a1of the arm6ais integrally formed on the right side of the connecting portion6b.The arm6ais curved in an are shape from the base portion6a1to the tip portion6a2.

The second friction element7has an arm7aand is configured such that the tightening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the second shaft5with respect to the second friction element7in the tightening direction is greater than the loosening torque at the time of the relative rotation of the second shaft5with respect to the second friction element7in the loosening direction. The arm7ais also formed by making an arc-shaped notch c in the friction plate31. The arm7ahas a base portion7a1and a tip portion7a2and is wound around the second shaft5. The base portion7a1of the arm7ais integrally formed on the left side of the connecting portion7b.The arm7ais curved in an arc shape from the base portion7a1to the tip portion7a2. A winding direction from the base portion7a1of the arm7atoward the tip portion7a2is the same as a winding direction from the base portion6a1of the arm6atoward the tip portion6a2.

The dual-axis torque hinge30of the third embodiment exhibits the same effect as the dual-axis torque hinge10of the first embodiment.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to being embodied in the above-described embodiments, and can be modified into various embodiments without changing the gist of the present invention.

In the above embodiments, the first shaft and the second shaft are respectively fixed to the first main body and the second main body, and the first friction element and the second friction element are fixed to the intermediate body. However, the first shaft and the second shaft can be fixed to the intermediate body, and the first friction element and the second friction element can be fixed to the first main body and the second main body, respectively.

In addition, the first shaft can be fixed to the first main body. the first friction element can be fixed to the intermediate body, the second shaft can be fixed to the intermediate body, and the second friction element can be fixed to the second main body. Furthermore, the first shaft can be fixed to the intermediate body, the first friction element can be fixed to the first main body, the second shaft can be fixed to the second main body, and the second friction element can be fixed to the intermediate body.

In the above-described embodiments, although each of the first friction element and the second friction element has one arm, each of the first friction element and the second friction element may have long and short arms extending from the connecting portion in opposite directions from each other.

The present specification is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-144395 filed on Sep. 6, 2021. All these contents are included here.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS