JP6894035B1 - Manufacturing method of laminated spring type torque hinge and laminated spring type torque hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laminated spring type torque hinge in which a sufficient amount of lubricant is sealed between an inner peripheral edge of a leaf spring and a connecting shaft, and leakage of the sealed lubricant is prevented. SOLUTION: A laminated spring type torque hinge 2 has a connecting shaft 4 for rotatably connecting a first member and a second member, and three or more leaf springs 6 laminated and press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4. And a rotation blocking member 8 that blocks the rotation of at least a part of the leaf spring 6. A plurality of recesses 6a recessed outward in the radial direction are formed on the inner peripheral edge of at least a part of the leaf spring 6 at intervals in the circumferential direction. A lubricant is filled between the plurality of recesses 6a and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 4. The plurality of recesses 6a of the leaf spring 6 other than the axially both side ends are closed by the leaf springs 6 at the axially both side ends. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a laminated spring type torque hinge and a method for manufacturing a laminated spring type torque hinge that applies resistance torque to a second member rotatably connected to the first member.

A torque hinge that applies a resistance torque to a second member rotatably connected to the first member is put into practical use. The torque hinge is attached to a notebook computer, for example, and applies resistance torque to a display (second member) rotatably connected to the main body (first member) of the notebook computer to position the display at an arbitrary position. Hold on.

The torque hinge includes a connecting shaft that rotatably connects the first member and the second member, a plurality of leaf springs that are laminated and press-fitted into the connecting shaft, and rotation blocking that prevents the rotation of each leaf spring. There is a laminated spring type torque hinge provided with a member (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A lubricant is applied to the inner peripheral edge of each leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft for the purpose of improving wear resistance and durability. Then, in the laminated spring type torque hinge, a required resistance torque is applied from each leaf spring to the connecting shaft by the frictional force generated between the inner peripheral edge of each leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft. ing.

Japanese Patent No. 3836149

In the laminated spring type torque hinge, a plurality of leaf springs are laminated and press-fitted into the connecting shaft, and the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft are in close contact with each other. The amount of lubricant applied to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft is extremely small, and the relative rotation of each leaf spring and the connecting shaft causes the inner peripheral edge of each leaf spring to be between the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft. There is a problem that the lubricant leaks from the spring.

An object of the present invention made in view of the above facts is a laminated spring in which a sufficient amount of lubricant is sealed between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring and the connecting shaft, and leakage of the sealed lubricant is prevented. It is to provide the manufacturing method of the type torque hinge and the laminated spring type torque hinge.

According to the present invention, the following laminated spring type torque hinge that solves the above problems is provided. That is, a connecting shaft that rotatably connects the first member and the second member, three or more annular or C-shaped leaf springs that are laminated and press-fitted into the connecting shaft, and at least one of the leaf springs. A rotation blocking member for blocking a part of the rotation is provided, and a plurality of recesses recessed outward in the radial direction are formed at least a part of the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of recesses are formed. A lubricant is filled between the and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft, and the plurality of recesses of the leaf spring other than the axially both side ends are closed by the leaf springs at the axially both side ends. Laminated spring-loaded torque hinges are provided.

Each shape before Symbol plate springs are the same, the leaf spring of the axial both end portions is preferable that the have a predetermined angle with respect to the plate spring other than the axial both end portions.
Further, according to the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a laminated spring type torque hinge as described above, after the leaf spring is press-fitted into the connecting shaft, the rotation is integrally formed with the leaf spring press-fitted into the connecting shaft. A method of manufacturing a laminated spring type torque hinge including a step of insert molding a blocking member is provided.

In the laminated spring type torque hinge of the present invention, a plurality of recesses recessed outward in the radial direction are formed on the inner peripheral edge of at least a part of the leaf spring at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of recesses and the outer periphery of the connecting shaft are formed. Lubricant is filled between the surfaces, and the plurality of recesses of the leaf spring other than the axially bilateral ends are closed by the leaf springs at the axially bilateral ends, so that the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring is closed. A sufficient amount of lubricant is sealed between the and the connecting shaft, and leakage of the sealed lubricant is prevented.

(A) A perspective view of a laminated spring type torque hinge configured according to the present invention, a front view of the laminated spring type torque hinge shown in (b) and (a), and a sectional view taken along line AA in (c) and (b). The front view of the leaf spring shown in FIG. (A) A perspective view showing a state in which the leaf spring shown in FIG. 1 is press-fitted into the connecting shaft, and (b) a front view showing a state in which the leaf spring shown in FIG. 1 is press-fitted into the connecting shaft. The perspective view which shows the state which the grease as a lubricant is filled between the concave part of a leaf spring and the outer peripheral surface of a connecting shaft. (A) A perspective view showing a state in which leaf springs at both ends in the axial direction are rotated, and (b) a front view showing a state in which leaf springs at both ends in the axial direction are rotated. Perspective view of another embodiment of a laminated spring torque hinge configured according to the present invention. (A) Front view of the laminated spring type torque hinge shown in FIG. 6, (b) Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a), and (c) Arrow view of BB in (b) with the shield removed. ..

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the laminated spring type torque hinge configured according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the laminated spring type torque hinge whose whole is indicated by reference numeral 2 includes a connecting shaft 4, a plurality of leaf springs 6 which are laminated and press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4. A rotation blocking member 8 for blocking the rotation of at least a part of the leaf spring 6 is provided.

Although not shown, the connecting shaft 4 rotatably connects the first member and the second member, for example, as a main body of a notebook computer as a first member and as a second member. It is rotatably connected to the display of. The connecting shaft 4 is formed in a columnar shape from an appropriate metal material such as a steel material. As shown in FIGS. 1 (c) and 3 (a), an annular groove 4a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 4.

The leaf spring 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The leaf spring 6 can be formed of an appropriate metal material such as a steel material. Each of the leaf springs 6 of the illustrated embodiment has the same C shape, and the inner diameter of the leaf spring 6 before being press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4 is smaller than the diameter of the connecting shaft 4. A plurality of arc-shaped recesses 6a recessed outward in the radial direction are formed on the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6 at intervals in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated embodiment, four recesses 6a are formed at intervals of 60 degrees. Further, a pair of projecting pieces 6b projecting outward in the radial direction are formed at both end portions in the circumferential direction of the leaf spring 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, except for the portion of the pair of protruding pieces 6b, the portion facing the opening 6c of the leaf spring 6 with the center O of the leaf spring 6 (the center of the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6 excluding the recess 6a) interposed therebetween. The radial dimension L of (the circumferential intermediate portion 6d of the leaf spring 6) is larger than the radial dimension of the portion other than the circumferential intermediate portion 6d.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the leaf spring 6 is press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4. The leaf springs 6 may be press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4 one by one, or a plurality of leaf springs 6 may be press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4 at the same time. The number of leaf springs 6 press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4 may be three or more, and in the illustrated embodiment, five leaf springs 6 are press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4. The press-fitted leaf spring 6 is arranged in the vicinity of the annular groove 4a of the connecting shaft 4, but is slightly deviated from the axial position of the annular groove 4a, and when the leaf spring 6 is press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4. The annular groove 4a is exposed.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the direction of the leaf spring 6 press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4 is adjusted so that the positions of the recesses 6a of each leaf spring 6 are aligned when viewed in the axial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, as described above, the shapes of the leaf springs 6 are the same. Therefore, when the directions of all the leaf springs 6 are adjusted to be the same, the positions of the recesses 6a of the leaf springs 6 are changed. Align in the axial direction.

After the leaf spring 6 is press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4, grease as a lubricant is filled between the plurality of recesses 6a and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 4 using the grease filling device 10 as shown in FIG. Grease. As described above, in the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 of the illustrated embodiment, since a plurality of recesses 6a are formed on the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6, between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6 and the connecting shaft 4. A sufficient amount of lubricant is filled. The lubricant is not limited to semi-solid grease, and may be solid or liquid.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the leaf springs 6 at both ends in the axial direction have a predetermined angle with respect to the leaf springs 6 other than the ends on both sides in the axial direction (30 degrees in the illustrated embodiment). ) It is rotated. As a result, the plurality of recesses 6a of the leaf springs 6 (three leaf springs 6 on the inner side in the axial direction) other than the both end portions in the axial direction are closed by the leaf springs 6 at the both end portions in the axial direction. A lubricant is sealed between the inner peripheral edge of the spring 6 and the connecting shaft 4, and leakage of the lubricant is prevented.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, a rotation blocking member 8 formed of an appropriate synthetic resin is insert-molded integrally with each leaf spring 6 press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4. As a result, the rotation blocking member 8 is brought into close contact with the connecting shaft 4 and the leaf spring 6, and the leaf spring 6 is fixed to the rotation blocking member 8. Although the connecting shaft 4 and the rotation blocking member 8 are in close contact with each other, the connecting shaft 4 is cylindrical and the inner peripheral surface of the rotation blocking member 8 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 4 is cylindrical. The rotation of the rotation is not blocked by the rotation blocking member 8. On the other hand, the rotation of the leaf spring 6 is blocked by the rotation blocking member 8 when the pair of protruding pieces 6b of the leaf spring 6 are caught on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation blocking member 8.

When a torque exceeding the frictional force between the connecting shaft 4 and the leaf spring 6 is applied to the connecting shaft 4 or the rotation blocking member 8, the connecting shaft 4 and the rotation blocking member 8 rotate relatively. At the same time, a required resistance torque is applied from the leaf spring 6 to the connecting shaft 4.

As shown in FIG. 1C, an annular protrusion 8a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation blocking member 8 of the illustrated embodiment so as to fit into the annular groove 4a of the connecting shaft 4. By aligning the annular protrusion 8a of 8 with the annular groove 4a of the connecting shaft 4, the relative axial movement of the connecting shaft 4 and the rotation blocking member 8 is prevented.

As the outer shape of the rotation blocking member 8, an arbitrary shape is adopted according to the shape of the member to which the rotation blocking member 8 is mounted. The outer shape of the rotation blocking member 8 of the illustrated embodiment is a square columnar shape as a whole, and four recesses 8b are formed. The recess 8b is formed by abutting a mold for fixing the relative axial positions of the connecting shaft 4 and the leaf spring 6 when the rotation blocking member 8 is insert-molded.

In the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 that can be configured in this way, the rotation blocking member 8 is fixed to the first member (not shown) such as the main body of the notebook computer, and the display of the notebook computer or the like is the first member. The connecting shaft 4 is fixed to the member (not shown) of 2. Then, when the second member is rotated with respect to the first member by an external force, the connecting shaft 4 rotates with respect to the leaf spring 6 fixed to the rotation blocking member 8, and the connecting shaft is connected to the leaf spring 6. Since the required resistance torque is applied to No. 4, when the external force applied to the second member is lost, the second member is held at an arbitrary position.

As described above, in the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 of the illustrated embodiment, a lubricant is filled between the recess 6a of each leaf spring 6 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 4, and both sides in the axial direction are filled. Since the plurality of recesses 6a of the leaf spring 6 other than the end are closed by the leaf springs 6 at both ends in the axial direction, a sufficient amount of lubrication is provided between the inner peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6 and the connecting shaft 4. The agent is sealed and the leakage of the sealed lubricant is prevented. This improves the durability of the laminated spring type torque hinge 2. Further, since the leakage of the lubricant sealed by the leaf spring 6 is prevented, the lubricant does not invade the mating surface of the upper die and the lower die of the rotation blocking member 8, and the rotation blocking member 8 is insert-molded. Molding defects are suppressed.

In the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 of the illustrated embodiment, since the rotation blocking member 8 is insert-molded integrally with the leaf spring 6 press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4, the outer peripheral edge of the leaf spring 6 and the rotation blocking member 8 are formed. There is substantially no gap between the leaf spring 6 and the rotation blocking member 8, and the leaf spring 6 and the rotation blocking member 8 are in close contact with each other. Therefore, the laminated spring type torque hinge 2 has almost no so-called rotational backlash or spring back, and has high responsiveness.

The resistance torque applied from the leaf spring 6 to the connecting shaft 4 depends on the radial dimension of the leaf spring 6, and the resistance torque increases as the radial dimension of the leaf spring 6 increases. The radial dimension L of the circumferential intermediate portion 6d has a large influence on the resistance torque. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial dimension L of the circumferential intermediate portion 6d of the leaf spring 6 is larger than the radial dimension of the portion other than the circumferential intermediate portion 6d except for the portion of the pair of protruding pieces 6b. The leaf spring 6 can be miniaturized while preventing the resistance torque of the spring 6 from being reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the rotation blocking member may not be formed by insert molding. Explaining this example with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the rotation blocking member 12 includes a main body 14 and a shield 16. The main body 14 has a rectangular end face wall 18 and a side wall 20 extending from the peripheral edge of the end face wall 18 to one side in the axial direction. As understood by referring to FIGS. 7 (b) and 7 (c), the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 20 is adapted to fit into a plurality of leaf springs 6 press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4. There is. Then, after each leaf spring 6 press-fitted into the connecting shaft 4 is housed in the main body 14, the shield 16 is press-fitted into the open side end portion of the side wall 20 of the main body 14. In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a sufficient amount of lubricant is provided between the leaf spring 6 and the connecting shaft 4, although a slight gap is formed between the leaf spring 6 and the main body 14 of the rotation blocking member 12. Is sealed, and the effect is that the leakage of the sealed lubricant is prevented.

In the illustrated embodiment, all the leaf springs 6 have the same shape, but the shape of some leaf springs may be different from the shape of other leaf springs. For example, a recess 6a is provided on the inner peripheral edge. A leaf spring that is not formed may be included. The shape of the leaf spring is C in the above embodiment, but it may be annular. Although not shown, a notch is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the leaf spring, and a protrusion that fits into the notch on the outer peripheral edge of the leaf spring is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation blocking member, and the outer peripheral edge of the leaf spring is formed. The notch and the protrusion on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation blocking member may be aligned with each other to prevent the leaf spring from rotating when the connecting shaft rotates. When the leaf spring has a C shape, at least a pair of such cutouts is preferably formed at both end portions in the circumferential direction of the leaf spring, and when the leaf spring is annular, 1 is formed at an arbitrary position. It suffices if more than one is formed.

2: Laminated spring type torque hinge 4: Connecting shaft 4a: Annular groove 6: Leaf spring 6a: Recess 6b: Protruding piece 8: Rotation blocking member 8a: Circular protrusion 8b: Recess

Claims (3)

A connecting shaft that rotatably connects the first member and the second member, three or more annular or C-shaped leaf springs that are laminated and press-fitted into the connecting shaft, and at least a part of the leaf spring. Equipped with a rotation blocking member that blocks the rotation of
A plurality of recesses recessed outward in the radial direction are formed on the inner peripheral edge of at least a part of the leaf spring at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a lubricant is provided between the plurality of recesses and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft. Is filled and
A laminated spring type torque hinge in which the plurality of recesses of the leaf spring other than the axially both side ends are closed by the leaf springs at the axially both side ends. The laminated spring according to claim 1, wherein each of the leaf springs has the same shape, and the leaf springs at both end portions in the axial direction are rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the leaf springs other than the both end portions in the axial direction. Type torque hinge. The method for manufacturing a laminated spring type torque hinge according to claim 1 or 2.
A method for manufacturing a laminated spring type torque hinge, which comprises a step of press-fitting the leaf spring into the connecting shaft and then insert-molding the rotation blocking member integrally with the leaf spring press-fitted into the connecting shaft.

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