MOTOR DRIVEN HINGE ASSEMBLY

Abstract: It is desirable to have self-powered hinge mechanisms to fold or unfold hinged members. The mechanisms must be compact so as to not use up room yet must exert sufficient force and have enough mechanical advantage to unfold the hinged members. One suitable mechanism for unfolding the members is a spring powered hinge. These hinges operate in only one direction however and are not capable of folding the members. Therefore, a motor driven hinge assembly is provided to fold and unfold the hinged members. The assembly includes first (12) and second (14) members hinged together, drive links (32a, 32b) slidingly connected to the first member (12) and pivotally connected to the second member (14), a motor (26) disposed within the first member (12) and a gear train (42) and lead screw (44) connecting the motor (26) with the drive links (32a, 32b). Actuation of the motor (26) effects pivotal motion of the second member (14) relative to the first member (12) between folded and unfolded positions.

Description: MOTOR DRIVEN HINGE ASSEMBLY Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to hinge mechanisms and parti- cularly to a new and improved motor driven hinge assembly which provides reversible hinge motion with high mechanica advantage. 2. Description of the Prior Art In certain situations, it is desirable to have self- powered hinge mechanisms to fold or unfold hinged members. For example / large space structures comprising raultitubula frames are folded prior to their launch into space in orde to fit in the launch vehicle and then are unfolded during their deployment in space. The hinged tubular members comprising the frames must have the capability of unfolding upon remote command in such a space environment. Further¬ more, the self-powered hinge mechanisms which unfold the frames must be compact so as to not use up scarce room in the launch vehicle yet the mechanisms must exert sufficient force and have enough mechanical advantage to unfold the hinged members of the frame. One suitable mechanism to provide self-powered unfoldi of the tubular members is a spring powered hinge. Spring powered hinges, however, operate in only one direction and are therefore not capable of folding the members, should that become necessary. . It may be desirable, for example, to retrieve a large space structure from space. To do so would require folding the frames of the structure in order to fit the structure into the retrieving vehicle. A separa drive mechanism would be required to overcome the force of the spring powered hinges in order to fold the frames, thus increasing weight, complexity and cost. Another shortcoming of spring powered hinges is that only two pivotal positions of the hinged members are avail- able, folded and unfolded. The spring mechanism does not SR provide selectable intermediate pivotal positions between the folded and unfolded positions. In view of the above mentioned problems, it is there¬ fore an object of the present invention to provide a motor driven hinge assembly which not only can unfold but which can also fold hinged members as desired. Another object of the present invention- is to provide— a motor driven hinge assembly which permits hinged members to be pivotally positioned at numerous positions inter- mediate the folded and unfolded positions. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a motor driven hinge assembly which is compact yet which has a high mechanical advantage. Summary of the Invention The present invention, in accordance with one embodi¬ ment thereof, comprises a motor driven hinge assembly for effecting relative pivotal motion of a second member rela¬ tive to a first member. The assembly comprises first and second members hingedly connected, linking means slidingly connected with the first meπbe ' r and pivotally connected with the second member, a motor disposed within the first member, and coupling means between the motor and the linking means for effecting motion of the linking means and thereby effecting pivotal motion of the second member relative to the first member. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the link¬ ing means comprises a pair of drive links including a rod with a threaded opening therein extending between the drive links. The coupling means includes a threaded lead screw sized for being received by the threaded opening. The lead screw is rotated by the motor through a gear train and the rotation effects motion of the drive links along the lead screw, thereby effecting pivotal motion of the second member relative to the first. Brief Description of the Drawing This invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accom¬ panying drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a side view', partially broken, of the motor driven hinge assembly of the present invention in its folded position. Figure 2 is a top view of the motor driven hinge assembly. Figure 3' is a perspective view of a rod which extends between drive links in the motor driven hinge assembly. Figures 4 through 6 are side views of the motor driven hinge assembly in various intermediate pivotal positions. Figure 7 is a side view of the motor driven hinge assembly in its unfolded position-. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Turning now to a consideration of the drawing, and in particular to Figure 1, there is shown the motor driven hinge assembly 10 of the present invention. The assembly 10 is employed for folding and unfolding hinged members. The assembly 10 comprises a first member, such as the first tube 12, and a second member, such as the second tube 14, which are hingedly connected in a manner to be describe hereinafter. It is to be understood, however, that the first and second members could have any other desired shape, such as, for example, a generally flat shape, without re¬ ducing the effectiveness of the present invention. The first and second tubes 12 and 14 preferably include recesse near the ends thereof, or they can be hollow. The first tube 12 includes a first bracket lβ and the second tube 14 includes a second bracket 18 near the hinged ends of the tubes. The first and second brackets lβ and 18 can be integral with their respective tubes or can be attached to them in any appropriate manner, such as by welding. A portion of each of the first and second brackets 16 and 18 is within the interior of the first and second tubes 12 and 14, respectively, as can be seen by the dashed lines in Figure 1, while the remaining portion of each of the brackets extends beyond the ends of the tubes. The first and second brackets 16 and 18 are configured such that the^not only can be hingedly connected but also do not interfere with each other when the first and second tubes are unfolded to abut end-to-end, in the position shown in Figure 7. Preferably, and as is seen Figure 2, the first bracket 16 comprises a single elongated bracket which includes a single flange 20. The second bracket 18 comprises a double bracket which includes a double flange 22a and 22b. The single flange 20 of the first bracket extends between the double flange 22a and 22b of the second bracket and a hinge pin 24 extends through the single and double flanges 20 and 22a and b to thereby hingedly connect the brackets and therefore the first and second tubes 12 and 14. This configuration provides sufficient clearance adjacent the first and second brackets 16 and 18 such that the first and second tubes can be unfolded to " abut end-to- end without interference between the brackets. Returning to Figure 1, the hinge pin 24 is preferably positioned such that when the tubes 12 and 14 are folded with their sides adjacent, as is shown in Figure 1, the hinge pin 24 is aligned with the sides. In addition, the hinge pin 24 is preferably aligned with the ends of the first and second tubes 12 and 14 such that the tubes will abut end-to-end when in the unfolded position of Figure 7. In order to accommodate such hinge pin positioning, portions of the sides of the first and second tubes 12 and 14 include cutouts 25 adjacent the hinge pin 24, thus allowing the single and double flanges 20 and 22a and b to extend through the cutouts 25 and surround the hinge pin 24 sufficiently to provide adequate support. As is shown in Figure 1, the assembly 10 includes motorized pivoting means for effecting pivotal motion of the second tube 14 relative to the first tube 12. The motorized pivoting means comprises a motor 26 disposed within the first tube 12, linking means, such as at least one and preferably a pair of drive links 32a and 32b, connecting the first and second tubes 12 and 14, and cou¬ pling means between the motor 26 and the linking means for transmitting the work output of the motor 26 to the linking means. The drive links 32a and b, shown in Figure 2, have first ends 34a and b, respectively slidingly connected with the first bracket 16 of the first tube 12 and have second ends 36a and b, respectively, pivotally connected with the second bracket 18 of the second tube 14. The first bracket 16 includes an elongated slot 38, best seen in Figure 1, which extends from near the outer end to near the inner end of the bracket. The pair of drive links 32a and b includes a rod 40, shown in Figures 2 and 3, or a similar device, which extends between the first ends 34a and b of the drive links. The rod 40 is sized for being engaged in the slot 38 of the first bracket 16, thereby slidingly connecting the drive links to the first bracket. Returning to Figure 1, the coupling means, which extends between the motor 26 and the drive links 32a and b, is arranged to impart motion to the rod 40 to thereby slide the first ends 34a and b of the drive links 32a and b along the slot 38 and into or out of the interior of the first tube 12. As will be explained shortly, such motion of the drive links imparts pivotal motion to the second tube 14 relative to the first tube 12. One example of suitable coupling means comprises a gear train 42 and a threaded lead screw 44. When employing the threaded lead screw 44, the rod 40 includes a threaded opening 46 there¬ in sized for receiving the lead screw. The motor 26, which can be electric or any other type of motor, imparts rotational motion to gears within the gear train 42 which are arranged to provide a rotational output of reduced rotational speed. The combination of the gear train 42 and the lead screw 44 provides a high mechanical advantage. Thus, even a small, relatively low powered motor 26 pro- vides sufficient force through the gear train and lead screw to pivot even relatively large second tubes 14. A gear 48, attached to the inner end of the lead screw 44, is rotated by the gear train 42. The lead screw 44 rotates with the gear 48 causing the rod 40, and thus the drive links 32a and b, to move along the lead screw. By reversing the direction of rotation of the lead screw, the rod 40 and the drive links 32a and b will move along the lead screw in the opposite direction. Thus, the assembly 10 can be employed to both fold and unfold the first and second tubes 12 and 14. Additionally, the motor 26 can be stopped when the first and second tubes 12 and 14 are at intermediate pivotal positions between the folded and unfolded positions. Thus, numerous relative pivotal posi¬ tions between the first and second tubes can be obtained with the present assembly 10. The lead screw 44 preferably also includes thrust bearings 50 and 52 at the outer and inner ends, respectively thereof, for supporting the lead screw against tension and compression loads. The motor driven hinge assembly 10 effects relative pivotal motion of the first and second tubes 12 and 14 between a folded position and an unfolded position as follows: Fig. 1 shows the assembly 10 in a folded position with the sides of the first and second tubes 12 and 14 adjacent each other. Turning to Fig. 4, as the lead screw 44 is rotated by the motor 26 and the gear train 42, it causes the rod 42, along with the first ends 34a and b of the drive links 32a and b to be moved toward the interior of the first tube 12 along the lead screw. The drive links 32a and b pull the second bracket 18 toward the first bracket 16 causing the second tube 14 to pivot about the hinge, pin 24. Turning to Fig. 5, the drive links 32a and b are moved further into the interior of the first tube 12 while the second tube 14 continues to pivot about the hinge pin 24. Fig. 6 shows the drive links 32a and b moved almost completely into the interior of the first tube 12 while the second tube 14 is pivoted such that it approaches the un¬ folded position. Fig. 7 shows the assembly in the unfolded position with the first and second tubes 12 and 14 abutting end to end. The drive links 32a and b have been moved to a position such that the first ends 34a and b thereof are near the inner end of the lead screw 44. As can be seen when the first and second tubes 12 and 14 are in the unfolded position of Fig. 7, the elements which pivot the tubes, specifically, the motor 26, and gear train 42, the lead screw 44 and the drive links 32a and b, are all contained within the interior of the tubes. Even when in the folded position of Fig. 1, only the drive links 32a and b and portions of the lead screw 44 and of the first and second brackets 16 and 18 are exterior to the tubes. The assembly- 1 is thus a compact assembly, its compactness being an attribut particularly when storage space for the folded assembly is limited, such as in a space launch vehicle. To reposition the first and second tubes 12 and 14 from the unfolded position of Fig. 7 to the folded position of Fig. 1, the direction of rotation of the lead screw 44 is reversed. The second tube 14 will then pivot about the hinge pin 24 in the opposite sequence as that described above. It is to be understood that this invention is not limite to the particular embodiment disclosed and it is intended to cover all modifications coming within the true spirit .and scope of this invention as claimed. For example, the cross- sectional shapes of the tubes 12 and 14 do not necessarily have to be round but can have any other desired shape.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A motor driven hinge assembly for effecting rela¬ tive pivotal motion of a second member relative to a first member comprising: a) a first member and a second member hingedly connected; *' b) linking means having a first end slidingly con¬ nected with said first member and a second end pivotall connected with said second member ? c) a motor disposed within said first member; and d) coupling means between said motor and said firs end of said linking means for effecting motion of said linking means and thereby effecting pivotal motion of said second member relative to said first member. -2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and said second members include first and second brackets, respective disposed near the ends thereof, said first end of said link¬ ing means being slidingly connected with said first bracket and said second end of said linking means being pivotally connected said second bracket. 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said first and said second members pivot about and are hingedly connected with a hinge pin extending through said first and said second brackets. 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said first and said second members pivot between folded and unfolded positions and wherein said first and said second members and said firs and said second brackets are configured whereby in said un- folded position, said first and said second members abut end to end. 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said first bracket includes a slot therein and wherein said linking means comprises a pair of drive links including a rod disposed between the first ends thereof, said rod being sized for being slidingly engaged by said slot. 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said coupling means comprises a gear train and a threaded lead screw arranged for being rotated by said motor and wherein said rod on said drive links includes a threaded opening therein sized for receiving said lead screw whereby rotation of said lead screw imparts motion to said rod and to said drive links along said lead screw. 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said threaded lead screw includes thrust bearings at both ends thereof for supporting said threaded lead screw against tension and compression loads. 8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said hinge pin is aligned adjacent sides of said first and said second members whereby in said folded position said sides of said first and said second members substantially abut. 9. A motor driven hinge assembly for effecting relativ pivotal motion of a second tube relative to a first tube comprising: a) a first tube including a first bracket near the end and extending into the interior of said first tube and a second tube including a second bracket near the end thereof, said first and said second brackets being configured whereby a single flange of said first bracke extends between a double flange of said second bracket and whereby a hinge pin extends through said single and said double flanges for thereby hingedly connecting said first and said second tubes, said first bracket further including a slot therein extending into the interior of said first tube; b) a pair of drive links including a rod disposed between first ends thereof, said rod including a threaded opening therein and being sized for being slidingly engaged in said slot of said first bracket, said second ends of said drive links being pivotally connected with said second bracket; c) a motor disposed within said first tube; and d) a gear train and a threaded lead screw arranged for being rotated by said motor, said lead screw being sized for being received by said threaded opening in said rod of said drive links whereby rotation of said lead screw imparts motion to said rod and said drive links along said lead screw thereby effecting pivotal *' motion of said second tube relative to said first tube. 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said hinge pin is aligned adjacent the ends of said first and second tubes and wherein said first and said second tubes include cutouts adjacent said hinge pin through which said single and said double flanges extend for thereby permitting said first and said second tubes to abut end to end when in an unfolded position. 11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the direction of rotation of said lead screw is reversible for thereby selecting the direction of pivotal motion of said second tube relative to said first tube.

Inventors: TOBEY WILLIAM HOWARD, TOBEY, WILLIAM, HOWARD
Applicants: MARTIN MARIETTA CORP, MARTIN MARIETTA CORPORATION
Application year: 1983
Main classification: E05D7
IPC codes: B64G1, E05F15