Abstract:
A torsion adjustment structure, member, and method for hinge device uses the hole diameters of a plurality of enclosing ends of an enclosing part as the torsion adjustment means, in which the interferences between the external pivoting diameter of the pivotal axle and the hole diameters of the plurality of the enclosing ends are different, such that the total torsion can be easily adjusted and the product&#39;s applicability can be expanded.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a torsion adjustment structure, member, and method for hinge device and in particular to a torsion adjustment structure, member, and method of torsion adjustment suitable for an enclosed hinge device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    “Rotating Shaft Structure with Automatic Locking Mechanism,” developed by the present inventor, is disclosed in the ROC Patent No. M296586 on Aug. 21, 2006 (corresponding to the PRC Patent No. 200620001995.4), as shown in  FIG. 17 . The invention mainly involves inserting the shaft  101  of an axial member  10  into, in the order of, a friction disc  30 , a plate connecting part  40 , a cam member  50 , an elastic body  60 , and securingly fixed onto the main frame  20 , wherein the cam member  50  comprises a fastening part  501  and a sliding part  502 , and when the axial member  10  rotates, the wedge slot  502   a  of the sliding part  502  is driven to slide and engage into the wedge block  501   a  of the fastening part  501 , achieving the auto-locking function. 
         [0003]    However, the recent design of hinge device has varied greatly to meet different demands in torque. Therefore, to expand the product&#39;s applicability and resolve the issue of materials preparation, there is still room for improvement in the design of hinge devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The main object of the present invention is to provide a torsion adjustment structure, member, and method for hinge device, employing the hole diameters of a plurality of enclosing ends of an enclosing part as the torsion adjustment means, in which the interferences between the external pivoting diameter of the pivotal axle and the hole diameters of the plurality of the enclosing ends are different to achieve the purpose of torsion adjustment. 
         [0005]    The major improvement of the present invention lies in the fact that the plurality of the enclosing part has the function of additive torsion adjustment and the easy adjustment of total torsion so as to enhance the product&#39;s applicability and resolve the issue of material preparation; furthermore, the enclosing end can also strengthen the structural stability and thus reduce the rotational shaking of the pivotal axle. 
         [0006]    A torsion adjustment method for hinge device according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises at least the following steps: 
         [0007]    an enclosing part is formed to have a plurality of enclosing ends; 
         [0008]    the plurality of the enclosing ends are formed to have openings of the same direction and point to the inner side, and the hole diameters of the plurality of the enclosing ends are formed to be different; 
         [0009]    the pivotal axle is pivoted onto the plurality of the enclosing ends so as to enable the external pivoting diameter of the pivotal axle having different interferences with the hole diameters; 
         [0010]    with the aforementioned steps, the pivotal axle may generate different frictional torsions with the plurality of the enclosing ends. 
         [0011]    A torsion adjustment method for hinge device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises at least the following steps: 
         [0012]    an enclosing part is formed to have a plurality of enclosing ends; 
         [0013]    the plurality of the enclosing ends are formed to have openings of the opposite directions and the hole diameters of the plurality of the enclosing ends are formed to be different; 
         [0014]    the pivotal axle is pivoted onto the plurality of the enclosing ends so as to enable the external pivoting diameter of the pivotal axle having different interferences with the hole diameters; 
         [0015]    with the aforementioned steps, the pivotal axle may generate different frictional torsions with the plurality of the enclosing ends. 
         [0016]    A torsion adjustment structure for hinge device according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: 
         [0017]    an enclosing part having a first enclosing end and a second enclosing end; 
         [0018]    an arresting part securingly fixed onto one side of the enclosing part; 
         [0019]    a pivotal axle having a first axle segment pivoted onto the first and second enclosing ends to have two frictional torsions, between which a difference can be found, and a second axle segment is pivoted onto the arresting part and inserted through, in the order of, the locking retainer, a locking rotator, and elastic parts with the end of the second axle segment being securingly retained with a nut. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is the perspective view of a torsion adjustment member of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is the cross-sectional view taken through the A-A line of the enclosing part in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is schematic view of the preferred embodiment of a torsion adjustment member of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an alternative of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a further alternative of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is the perspective view of the second embodiment of the torsion adjustment member; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is the cross-sectional view taken through the B-B line of the enclosing part in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the torsion adjustment structure in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is an alternative of the preferred embodiment of the enclosing part of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is the schematic view of the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 10  from another view angle; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is the cross-sectional view taken through the C-C line in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is the cross-sectional view taken through the D-D line in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are the schemation of preferred embodiments of the pivotal axle connected with a fixed seat of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a schematic view for the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of a prior art. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , one preferred embodiment of the torque adjustment method for hinge device according to the present invention comprises the following steps: 
         [0038]    an enclosing part  1  is formed to have a first enclosing end  11  and a second enclosing end  12 ; 
         [0039]    the first and second enclosing ends  11 ,  12  are formed to have openings  15  of the same direction and point to an inner face  14 , and the hole diameters, d 1  and d 2 , of the first and second enclosing ends  11 ,  12  are formed to be different; 
         [0040]    a pivotal axle  3  is pivoted onto the first and second enclosing ends  11 ,  12  so as to enable the external pivoting diameter of the pivotal axle  3  having different interferences with the hole diameters d 1  and d 2 ; 
         [0041]    in other words, the pivotal axle  3  may generate different frictional torsions with the first and second enclosing ends  11 ,  12 , respectively; consequently, there is a difference in the frictional torsion generated between the pivotal axle  3  with the first and second enclosing ends  11 ,  12  such that the aim of torsion adjustment can be achieved and the enclosing part  1  can also enhance the structural stability and thus reduce the rotational shaking of the pivotal axle  3 . 
         [0042]    For example, when the pivotal axle  3  rotates toward the inner face  14  and the frictional torsions generated between the pivotal axle  3  pivoted with the first enclosing end  11  and the second enclosing end  12  are 5 kg/cm and 4 kg/cm, respectively, the additive frictional torsion is 9 kg/cm; when the pivotal axle  3  rotates toward the external side, and the frictional torsion generated between the pivotal axle  3  pivoted with the first enclosing end  11  is 3 kg/cm due to the effect of the opening  15  and that with the second enclosing end  12  is 2 kg/cm, the additive frictional torsion is 5 kg/cm. Consequently, the “positive difference” of the total frictional torsion may reach about 4 kg/cm (9 kg/cm−5 kg/cm=4 kg/cm). However, before the addition is made, the “positive difference” of the frictional torsion generated at the first enclosing end  11  is about 2 kg/cm (5 kg/cm−3 kg/cm=2 kg/cm) and the “positive difference” of the frictional torsion generated at the second enclosing end  12  is about 2 kg/cm (4 kg/cm−2 kg/cm=2 kg/cm). The preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, may effectively adjust the “positive difference” of the frictional torsion, reaching as high as 4 kg/cm (9 kg/cm−5 kg/cm=4 kg/cm), which is an advantage of the torsion adjustment of the accumulating frictional torsion. 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the enclosing part  1  may also comprise a first enclosing end  11 , a second enclosing end  12 , and a third enclosing end  13 , whose openings  15  have the same direction and point to the inner side, the hole diameters of the first and third enclosing ends  11 ,  13  are smaller than that of the second enclosing end  12 ; in other words, after the pivotal axle  3  is being pivoted, it generates a first frictional torsion, a second frictional torsion, and a third frictional torsion, wherein the first and third frictional torsions are larger than the second frictional torsion. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the enclosing part  1  may also comprise a first enclosing end  11 , a second enclosing end  12 , and a third enclosing end  13 , whose openings  15  have the same direction and point to the inner side, and the hole diameters of the first and third enclosing ends  11 ,  13  are larger than that of the second enclosing end  12 ; in other words, after the pivotal axle  3  is being pivoted, it generates a first frictional torsion, a second frictional torsion, and a third frictional torsion, wherein the first and third frictional torsions are smaller than the second frictional torsion. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the second embodiment of the torque adjustment method for hinge device according to the present invention comprises the following steps: 
         [0046]    an enclosing part  1  is formed to have a first enclosing end  11   a  and a second enclosing end  12   a;    
         [0047]    the first and second enclosing ends  11   a ,  12   a  are formed to have openings  15  of the opposite direction, and the hole diameters, d 1  and d 2 , of the first and second enclosing ends  11   a ,  12   a  are formed to be different; a pivotal axle  3  is pivoted onto the first and second enclosing ends  11   a ,  12   a  so as to enable the external pivoting diameter of the pivotal axle  3  having different interferences with the hole diameters d 1  and d 2 ; 
         [0048]    in other words, the pivotal axle  3  may generate different frictional torsions with the first and second enclosing ends  11   a ,  12   a , respectively; consequently, there is a difference in the frictional torsion generated between the pivotal axle  3  with the first and second enclosing ends  11   a ,  12   a  such that the aim of torsion adjustment can be achieved and the enclosing part  1  can enhance the structural stability and thus reduce the rotational shaking of the pivotal axle  3 . 
         [0049]    For example, when the pivotal axle  3  rotates toward the inner face  14  and the frictional torsion generated between the pivotal axle  3  pivoted with the first enclosing end  11   a  is 3 kg/cm and that with the second enclosing end  12   a  is 6 kg/cm, the additive frictional torsion is 9 kg/cm; when the pivotal axle  3  rotates toward the external side, and the frictional torsion generated between the pivotal axle  3  pivoted with the first enclosing end  11   a  is 5 kg/cm due to the effect of the opening  15  and that with the second enclosing end  12   a  is 2 kg/cm, the additive frictional torsion is 7 kg/cm. Consequently, the “positive difference” of the total frictional torsion may maintain at 2 kg/cm (9 kg/cm−7 kg/cm=2 kg/cm) even if the first enclosing end  11  and the second enclosing end  12  have opposite openings  15  without being completely cancelled out to be zero. 
         [0050]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , the enclosing part  1  may also comprise a first enclosing end  11 , a second enclosing end  12 , and a third enclosing end  13  with the first and third openings  15  having the same direction and pointing to the inner side, and the opening  15  of the second enclosing end  12  pointing to the opposite direction, and the hole diameters of the first and third enclosing ends  11 ,  13  are larger than that of the second enclosing end  12 ; in other words, after the pivotal axle  3  is being pivoted, it generates a first frictional torsion, a second frictional torsion, and a third frictional torsion, wherein the first and third frictional torsions are smaller than the second frictional torsion. Furthermore, if the hole diameters of the first and third enclosing ends  11 ,  13  are smaller than that of the second enclosing end  12 , the first and third frictional torsions are larger than the second frictional torsion, which may also be another embodiment. 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIGS. 10 to 15 , the torsion adjustment structure for hinge device comprises: 
         [0052]    an enclosing part  1  having a first enclosing end  11  and a second enclosing end  12 ; 
         [0053]    an arresting part  2  securingly fixed onto one side of the enclosing part  1  (for example, the enclosing part  1  is on its one side disposed with a protruded block  16  and a notch  26  is disposed on the arresting part  2 , wherein the protruded block  16  may be embeddingly fixed onto the notch  26  to join together the enclosing part  1  and the arresting part  2 ); 
         [0054]    a pivotal axle  3  having a first axle segment  31  pivoted onto the first and second enclosing ends  11 ,  12 , to have two frictional torsions, between which a difference can be found, and a second axle segment  32  pivoted onto the arresting part  2  and inserted through, in the order of, the locking retainer  4 , a locking rotator  5 , and an elastic part  7  with the end of the second axle segment  32  being securingly retained with a nut  6 . 
         [0055]    The openings  15  of the first enclosing end  11  and the second enclosing end  12  are in the same direction and point to the inner face  14 . The locking retainer  4  has a positioning slot  41  and is securingly fixed onto the arresting part  2 . The locking rotator  5  has a positioning block  51  and is jointly rotatable with the second axle segment  32  of the pivotal axle  3 . When the locking rotator  5  is in the locking position, the positioning block  51  is positioned into the positioning slot  41 . The locking retainer  4  is disposed with a pin  42  and the arresting part  2  is correspondingly formed to have a pin hole  24  to securingly fix the locking retainer  4  onto the arresting part  2 . 
         [0056]    The other side of the enclosing part  1  is disposed with a stopping portion  17  and the first axle segment  31  of the pivotal axle  3  is disposed with a positioning portion  37 . When the pivotal axle  3  is being rotated, the positioning portion  37  of the pivotal axle  3  may be abutted against the stopping portion  17  so as to limit the rotation angle of the pivotal axle  3 . The elastic part  7  is a plurality of spring discs  71  or springs (not shown), and the plurality of the spring discs  71  are formed to have arc faces  72  and alternately inserted in opposite faces onto the end of the second axle segment  32 . The second axle segment  32  of the pivotal axle  3  is formed to have at least a flat face  321 , and the locking rotator  5  and the plurality of the spring discs  71  are correspondingly formed to have fastening holes  53  and  73 , respectively, so as to be inserted onto the second axle segment  32 . A gasket  8  is disposed between the nut  6  and the elastic part  7 . The first axle segment  31  of the pivotal axle  3  may be formed to have oil grooves  311 . 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the extending end  18  of the enclosing part  1  is formed to have a positioning hole  19  and the pivotal axle  3  may be connected with a fixed seat  9 . With reference to  FIG. 16 , the torsion adjustment structure according to the present invention may be further re-designed such that the openings  15  of the first enclosing end  11  and the second enclosing end  12  point to opposite direction and the opening  15  of the first enclosing end  11  points to the inner face  14 . 
         [0058]    While the invention has been described with reference to the a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims.