JP4070990B2

JP4070990B2 - Hinge device

Info

Publication number: JP4070990B2
Application number: JP2001379515A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 伸市郎越川
Original assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-13
Filing date: 2001-12-13
Publication date: 2008-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-13
Also published as: JP2003184859A

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a hinge device, which is used for a folded type portable telephone, from enlarging in diameter. SOLUTION: A fixing member 242 and connecting member 241 of a fixing means 24 fixing a second hinge member 22 in a holding position are inserted into a large diameter hole 21d of a first hinge member 21 in sequence. A connecting arm portion 242b is formed on the fixing member 242. One end of the connecting arm portion 242b is fitted in the connecting member 241 in a rotation-resistant state and in a movable state to a direction of a rotating axis L. Other end of the connecting arm portion 242b is connectedly and removably fitted in a through-hole 21g extended to the direction of the rotating axis L, which is formed on the first hinge member 21. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、例えば折り畳み携帯電話機に用いられ、操作部材をワンタッチ操作するだけで折り畳み式携帯電話機の受話部を送話部に対して折り畳み位置から通話位置まで回動させることができるヒンジ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のこの種のヒンジ装置としては、例えば特開２００１−２０７７２１号公報に記載のものがある。このヒンジ装置は、折り畳み式携帯電話機の送話部と受話部との回動軸線上に相対回動可能に配置され、送話部と受話部とにそれぞれ回動不能に設けられた第１、第２ヒンジ部材と、第２ヒンジ部材を折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動付勢する可動付勢手段と、第２ヒンジ部材を折り畳み位置に係止する係止手段と、この係止手段による第２ヒンジ部材の係止状態を解除する係止解除手段とを備えている。
【０００３】
上記係止手段は、当接部材と係止部材とを有している。当接部材は、円筒状に形成された第１ヒンジ部材の内周に回動可能に嵌合されている。当接部材の第２ヒンジ部材側における端部には、第２ヒンジ部材が折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動するときに突き当たる当接面が形成されている。係止部材は、第１ヒンジ部材の内周面と当接部材の外周面との間に回動軸線方向へ移動可能に配置されており、係止位置に位置しているときには、その外周面及び外周面が第１ヒンジ部材の内周面と当接部材の外周面とにそれぞれ回動不能に係合する。これにより、当接部材が、係止部材を介して第１ヒンジ部材に回動不能に係止される。この結果、第２ヒンジ部材が折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動不能になる。係止部材を係止解除手段の操作部材によって係止位置から解除位置まで移動させると、係止部材による係止状態が解除される。したがって、第２ヒンジ部材は、折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動可能になる。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記従来のヒンジ装置においては、係止部材が第１ヒンジ部材の内周面と当接部材の外周面との間に配置されており、係止部材の外周面及び内周面が第１ヒンジ部材の内周面と当接部材の外周面とにそれぞれ係合しているため、最も外側に配置された第１ヒンジ部材を大径化せざるを得ず、その結果ヒンジ装置全体が大型化してしまうという問題があった。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明は、上記の問題を解決するために、回動軸線上に配置された第１ヒンジ部材と、上記回動軸線上に上記第１ヒンジ部材と対向して配置され、上記第１ヒンジ部材に対して第１の位置と第２の位置との間を回動可能である第２ヒンジ部材と、この第２ヒンジ部材を上記第１の位置から第２の位置まで回動させる回動付勢手段と、上記第２ヒンジ部材を上記回動付勢手段の回動付勢力に抗して上記第１の位置に係止する係止手段と、この係止手段による上記第２ヒンジ部材の係止状態を解除する係止解除手段とを備えたヒンジ装置において、上記第１ヒンジ部材には、係止凹部が上記回動軸線方向に形成され、上記係止手段が、上記第１ヒンジ部材と上記第２ヒンジ部材との間に上記回動軸線を中心として回動可能に配置され、上記第２ヒンジ部材が上記第１の位置から上記第２の位置側へ回動するときに突き当たる当接面を有する当接部材と、この当接部材の上記第１ヒンジ部材側の端部に回動不能に、かつ上記回動軸線方向へ移動可能に連結され、上記係止凹部に係脱可能に係合する係止突部を有する係止部材と、この係止部材を上記第２ヒンジ部材側から上記第１ヒンジ部材側へ付勢する復帰付勢手段とを有し、上記係止解除手段が、上記第１ヒンジ部材を間にして上記係止部材と逆側に上記回動軸線方向へ移動可能に配置され、上記第１ヒンジ部材に接近する方向へ移動させられたときに上記係止凹部に入り込んで上記係止突部を上記係止凹部から離脱させる当接突起が設けられた操作部材を有することを特徴としている。
この場合、上記第１ヒンジ部材が、上記第２ヒンジ部材側の端部が開口し、逆側の端部に底部を有する筒体として形成され、上記第１ヒンジ部材の底部には、上記係止凹部とされる貫通孔が形成され、上記係止部材及び上記当接部材が上記第１ヒンジ部材内に順次回動可能に挿入され、上記第１ヒンジ部材の底部と対向する上記係止部材の対向面に上記係止突部が形成されていることが望ましい。
【０００６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の一実施の形態について図１〜図１４を参照して説明する。
図１は、この発明に係る携帯電話機の一実施の形態を示すものである。携帯電話機１は、送話部２と受話部３とを備えている。送話部２の前面２ａには、小型のマイクロフォン及び各種のキー（いずれも図示せず）が設けられている。受話部３の前面３ａには、小型のスピーカー（図示せず）及び液晶表示部３ｂが設けられている。
【０００７】
送話部２の受話部３側の端部には、２つの連結筒部２ｂが設けられている。２つの連結筒部２ｂは、送話部２の左右方向の両端部に配置されている。受話部３の送話部２側の端部には、２つの連結筒部３ｃが設けられている。２つの連結筒部３ｃは、送話部２の連結筒部２ｂ，２ｂ間に配置され、隣接する連結筒部２ｂの内側の各端面とそれぞれほぼ接触している。各連結筒部２ｂ，３ｃは、互いの軸線を回動軸線Ｌと一致させて配置されている。
【０００８】
互いに隣接する２組の連結筒部２ｂ，３ｃ；２ｂ，３ｃのうちの一方の組（図１において左側の組）は、この発明に係るヒンジ装置１０（図２参照）により回動軸線Ｌを中心として回動可能に連結されている。連結筒部２ｂ，３ｃの他方の組（右側の組）は、周知のヒンジ装置（図示せず）により、回動軸線Ｌを中心として回動可能に連結されている。これにより、送話部２と受話部３とが回動軸線Ｌを中心として回動可能に連結されている。なお、説明の便宜上、以下においては、受話部３が送話部２に対して回動するものとして説明を進める。
【０００９】
受話部３は、送話部２に対し折り畳み位置（第１の位置）と通話位置（第２の位置）との間を回動可能になっている。折り畳み位置は、受話部３の前面３ａが送話部２の前面２ａに突き当たることによって規制されている。通話位置は、受話部３が折り畳み位置から所定角度（この実施の形態では１６５°）だけ回動したときに、送話部２及び受話部３にそれぞれ設けられた当接部（いずれも図示せず）が互いに突き当たることによって規制されている。したがって、受話部３は、通話位置側から折り畳み位置側へ向かう方向へは折り畳み位置を越えて回動することができず、折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ向かう方向へは通話位置を越えて回動することができなくなっている。
【００１０】
まず、上記ヒンジ装置１０の機能を概略的に述べる。いま、受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているものとする。この状態において、ヒンジ装置１０の操作ボタン２５２を押すと、ヒンジ装置１０の回動付勢力により、受話部３が折り畳み位置から通話位置まで自動的に回動させられる。通話位置に回動させられた受話部３は、手動によりヒンジ装置１０の回動付勢力に抗して折り畳み位置側へ回動させる。そして、受話部３を折り畳み位置の所定角度（この実施の形態ではほぼ１０°）だけ手前まで回動させると、ヒンジ装置１０の回動付勢力により、受話部３が折り畳み位置まで回動させられるのみならず、受話部３の前面３ａが送話部２の前面２ａに突き当たることによって折り畳み位置に維持される。
【００１１】
受話部３は、折り畳み位置と通話位置との間を手動でも回動させることができる。まず、受話部３を折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動させる場合について述べると、折り畳み位置から所定の角度範囲（この実施の形態では１５°程度）においては、受話部３をヒンジ装置１０の回動付勢力に抗して回動させる。その後、通話位置の所定角度（この実施の形態では１５°程度）だけ手前までの間は、ヒンジ装置１０の内部に発生する摩擦抵抗に抗して受話部３を通話位置側へ回動させる。受話部３が通話位置の所定角度だけ手前まで回動すると、その後はヒンジ装置１０の回動付勢力により受話部３が通話位置まで回動させられるのみならず、通話位置に維持される。逆に、受話部３を通話位置から折り畳み位置側へ回動させる場合において、通話位置から所定の角度（この実施の形態では１５°程度）範囲では、受話部３をヒンジ装置１０の回動付勢力に抗して回動させる。その後、折り畳み位置の所定角度（この実施の形態では１５°程度）だけ手前までの間は、ヒンジ装置１０の内部に発生する摩擦抵抗に抗して受話部３を折り畳み位置側へ回動させる。受話部３が折り畳み位置の所定角度（この実施の形態では１５°程度）だけ手前まで回動すると、その後は受話部３がヒンジ装置１０の回動付勢力により折り畳み位置まで回動させられて、その位置に維持される。
【００１２】
次に、上記機能を有するヒンジ装置１０の具体的構成について説明する。図２〜図４に示すように、ヒンジ装置１０は、受話部３を折り畳み位置から通話位置まで自動的に回動させるための第１ヒンジ部２０と、受話部３を手動で回動させる際に動作する第２ヒンジ部３０とを備えている。
【００１３】
まず、第１ヒンジ部２０について説明すると、第１ヒンジ部２０は、第１ヒンジ部材２１、第２ヒンジ部材２２、回動付勢手段２３、係止手段２４及び係止解除手段２５を有している。
【００１４】
第１ヒンジ部材２１は、及びに示すように、一端が開口し、他端に底部２１ｆを有する円筒体として形成されており、に示すように、送話部２の連結筒部２ｂに挿入固定されている。したがって、第１ヒンジ部材２１は、回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動することもなければ、回動することもない（ここでは、送話部２を固定し、受話部３が回動するものと仮定している。）。一方、第２ヒンジ部材２２は、円筒状をなす本体部２２Ａと、可動部２２Ｂとから構成されている。本体部２２Ａは、受話部３の連結筒部３ｃに回動可能に挿入されているが、第２ヒンジ部３０を介して連結筒部３ｃに回動不能に連結されている。したがって、第２ヒンジ部材２２の本体部２２Ａは、受話部３と一緒に回動する。ただし、第２ヒンジ部材２２は、第２ヒンジ部３０が動作するとき、つまり受話部３を手動で回動させるときには、連結筒部３ｃに対して相対回動する。なお、可動部２２Ｂについては後述する。
【００１５】
上記第１ヒンジ部材２１と第２ヒンジ部材２２の本体部２２Ａとは、軸線を回動軸線Ｌと一致させたヒンジ軸４１を介して回動可能に連結されている。ヒンジ軸４１は、図３〜図５に示すように、一端部から他端部（図１〜図４における左端部から右端部；以下、左右は図１〜図４における左右を意味するものとする。）に向かって順次形成された、円板状をなす頭部４１ａ、頭部４１ａより小径の大径部４１ｂ及び大径部４１ｂより小径の小径部４１ｃを有している。
【００１６】
図３に示すように、ヒンジ軸４１の大径部４１ｂには、第１ヒンジ部材２１の底部２１ｆに形成された小径孔部２１ａが回動可能に嵌合されている。第１ヒンジ部材２１は、その底部２１ｆが頭部４１ａに突き当たることにより、左方への抜け止めがなされている。一方、ヒンジ軸４１の小径部４１ｃには、筒部材４２が嵌合されている。この筒部材４２の左端部には、フランジ部４２ａが形成されており、このフランジ部４２ａが大径部４１ｂと小径部４１ｃとの間に形成された段差部４１ｄに突き当たることにより、筒部材４２の左方への移動が阻止されている。筒部材４２から右方へ突出した小径部４１ｃの右端部には、上記第２ヒンジ部３０の第１係合部材３１が回動可能に嵌合されている。この第１係合部材３１は、筒部材４２の右端面に突き当たるとともに、止め輪４３によって右方への抜け止めがなされている。これにより、ヒンジ軸４１の小径部４１ｃに筒部材４２及び第１係合部材３１が回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動不能に嵌合されている。
【００１７】
筒部材４２の右端部には、第２ヒンジ部３０の第２係合部材３２が回動可能に嵌合されている。この第２係合部材３２の外周には、上記第２ヒンジ部材２２の本体部２２Ａの右端部内周が嵌合されている。本体部２２Ａの右端部には、回動軸線Ｌと平行に延びる係止溝２２ａが形成されており、この係止溝２２ａには、第２係合部材３２の外周に形成されたキー部３２ａが嵌り込んでいる。これにより、第２係合部材３２が本体部２２Ａに回動不能に、かつ回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動可能に連結されている。ここで、第２係合部材３２は、筒部材４２に回動可能に嵌合されているから、本体部２２Ａは、第２係合部材３２、筒部材４２及びヒンジ軸４１を介して第１ヒンジ部材２１に回動可能に連結されている。この結果、送話部２と受話部３とが、第１ヒンジ部材２１、ヒンジ軸４１、筒部材４２、第２係合部材３２及び本体部２２Ａを介して回動可能に連結されている。
【００１８】
上記回動付勢手段２３は、その回動付勢力により第２ヒンジ部材２２を折り畳み位置から通話位置まで回動させ、ひいては受話部３を折り畳み位置から通話位置まで回動させるためのものであり、次のように構成されている。すなわち、図２〜図６に示すように、第１ヒンジ部材２１の第２ヒンジ部材２２と対向する右端面には、周方向に延びる一対の端面カム（カム面）２１ｂ，２１ｂが回動軸線Ｌを中心として点対称に形成されている。一方、第２ヒンジ部材２２の本体部２２Ａの第１ヒンジ部材２１と対向する左端面には、図２〜図５及び図１０に示すように、回動軸線Ｌと平行に延びる２つの第２ガイド溝２２ｂが周方向に１８０°離れて形成されている。各第２ガイド溝２２ｂには、筒部材４２の外周に回動可能に嵌合された可動部２２Ｂの二つの板部２２ｃ，２２ｃがそれぞれ摺動自在に挿入されている。したがって、可動部２２Ｂは、本体部２２Ａに対し回動不能、かつ回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動可能に連結されている。可動部２２Ｂは、それと上記第２係合部材３２との間に設けられた大小二つのコイルばね（直動付勢手段）４３Ａ，４３Ｂにより回動軸線Ｌに沿って第１ヒンジ部材２１側へ付勢されており、その付勢力によって２つの板部２２ｃ，２２ｃの各左端面に形成された半円状をなす円弧部２２ｄ，２２ｄが第１ヒンジ部材２１の端面カム２１ｂ，２１ｂにそれぞれ突き当てられている。端面カム２１ｂは、可動部２２Ｂに作用するコイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの回動軸線Ｌ方向への付勢力を、回動軸線Ｌを中心とした回動付勢力に変換する。この回動付勢力により、第２ヒンジ部材（可動部２２Ｂ及び本体部２２Ａ）が折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動付勢され、さらに第２係合部材３２及び第１係合部材３１を介して受話部３が折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ付勢されるようになっている。
【００１９】
ここで、図１４に示すように、可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄは、受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているときには、端面カム２１ｂの上端部（右端部）に接している。端面カム２１ｂの上端から下端までの周方向の角度は、受話部３の最大回動角度（１６５°）より若干小さい角度（例えば１６０°）に設定されているが、端面カム２１ｂの下端部（左端部）には、それに続いて凹部２１ｃが形成されている。そして、受話部３が通話位置まで回動すると、円弧部２２ｄが凹部２１ｃを区画する底面のうちの、その曲率中心より端面カム２１ｂ側に位置する傾斜した部分に接触し、受話部３が通話位置に達した後もこの傾斜部によって可動部２２Ｂ、ひいては受話部３が折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ向かう方向へ付勢される。したがって、凹部２１ｃの底面のうちの端面カム２１ｂ側の部分も、端面カム２１ｂと共にカム面を構成している。
【００２０】
上記係止手段２４は、図２〜図３に示すように、第２ヒンジ部材２２を回動付勢手段２３の回動付勢力に抗して折り畳み位置に停止させるためのものであり、当接部材２４１、係止部材２４２、及び復帰ばね（復帰付勢手段）２４３を有している。
【００２１】
当接部材２４１は、図２〜図５及び図７に示すように、円筒状をなしており、第１ヒンジ部材２１の右端部側に形成された大径孔部２１ｄに回動可能に嵌合されている。当接部材２４１の右端面には、２つの当接面２４１ａが回動軸線Ｌを中心として点対称に配置形成されている。この当接面２４１ａは、回動軸線Ｌに対して所定の角度（この実施の形態ではほぼ３０°）だけ傾斜した傾斜面２４１ｂと、この傾斜面２４１ｂの左端から回動軸線Ｌに沿って延びるストレート面２４１ｃとから構成されている。受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているとき、傾斜面２４１ｂの上端部に可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄが突き当たっている。したがって、当接部材２４１が折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動しない限り、可動部２２Ｂは折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動することができず、第２ヒンジ部材２２及び受話部３が折り畳み位置に停止される。しかも、傾斜面２４１ｂに円弧部２２ｄが突き当たった状態においては、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力が傾斜面２４１ｂによって回動付勢力に変換される。この回動付勢力により、、可動部２２Ｂが通話位置側から折り畳み位置側へ向かう方向へ付勢され、それによって受話部３が送話部２に突き当たった状態に、つまり折り畳み位置に維持される。なお、当接部材２４１は、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力によって回動軸線Ｌ方向左方へも付勢されており、その付勢力によって当接部材２４１の左端面が底部２１ｆの右端面に突き当てられている。
【００２２】
可動部２２Ｂが当接部材２４１によって折り畳み位置に停止され、それによって受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置した状態においては、上記のように、可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄが端面カム２１ｂの上端部（右端部）にほぼ接触しているのであるが、第１ヒンジ部材２１の右端面には、端面カム２１ｂの上端部からさらに上方（右方）へ延びる円弧面部２１ｅが形成されている。この円弧面部２１ｅは、ヒンジ装置１０が携帯電話機１に組み込まれた状態では可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄに接触することはほとんどないが、ヒンジ装置１０全体が携帯電話機１に組み込まれる前のユニットとして取り扱われるときには、傾斜面２４１ｂによって通話位置側から折り畳み位置側へ回動付勢される可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄを受け止める。これによって、円弧部２２ｄが端面カム２１ｂの上端から脱落するのを防止している。
【００２３】
当接部材２４１を折り畳み位置に位置固定するために、上記係止部材２４２が用いられている。係止部材２４２は、図２〜図５及び図９に示すように、円形のリング状をなす本体部２４２ａを有している。この本体部２４２ａは、ヒンジ軸４１の大径部４１ｂの外周面と当接部材２４１の内周面との間に回動軸線Ｌを中心として回動可能に、かつ回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動可能に配置されている。本体部２４２ａは、それと筒部材４２のフランジ部４２ａとの間に設けられた復帰ばね２４３によって左方へ付勢され、第１ヒンジ部材２１の底部２１ｆに突き当てられている。
【００２４】
係止部材２４２の本体部２４２ａの外周面には、２つの係合腕部２４２ｂ（係止突部）が回動軸線Ｌを中心として点対称に配置形成されている。各係合腕部２４２ｂは、当接部材２４１の左端面に形成された２つのガイド溝２４１ｄに周方向へは移動不能に、回動軸線Ｌ方向へは移動可能に挿入されている。これにより、係止部材２４２が当接部材２４１に回動不能に、かつ回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動可能に連結されている。係合腕部２４２ｂは、本体部２４２ａから左方へ突出しており、第１ヒンジ部材２１の底部２１ｆの右端面から回動軸線Ｌに沿って第１ヒンジ部材２１の左端面まで貫通した貫通孔（係止凹部）２１ｇに回動軸線Ｌ方向へは移動可能に、周方向へは移動不能に嵌合されている。したがって、係合腕部２４２ｂが貫通孔２１ｇに嵌合した状態では、係止部材２４２及び当接部材２４１が第１ヒンジ部材２１に対して回動不能になる。よって、当接部材２４１の当接面２４１ａに突き当たった可動部２２Ｂも折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動不能になり、第２ヒンジ部材２２及び受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置固定される。その一方、係合腕部２４２ｂが貫通孔２１ｇから脱出すると、係止部材２４２及び当接部材２４１が回動可能になり、第２ヒンジ部材２２及び受話部３が折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動可能になる。
【００２５】
上記係止解除手段２５は、係止手段２４による可動部２２Ｂの折り畳み位置における係止状態を解除するためのものであり、押圧部材（操作部材）２５１及び操作ボタン２５２を有している。
【００２６】
押圧部材２５１は、図２〜図５及び図８に示すように、リング状をなす本体部２５１aを有している。この本体部２５１aは、第1ヒンジ部材２１の左端部外周面に摺動自在に嵌合されている。しかも、ヒンジ軸４１の頭部４１a に突き当たることにより、左方へ抜け止めされている。本体部２５１a の右端面には、２つの当接突起２５１ｂが形成されている。各当接突起２５１ｂは、回動軸線Ｌと平行に延び、周方向に１８０°離れて配置されている。各当接突起２５１ｂの先端部は、第１ヒンジ部材２１の貫通孔２１ｇに入り込んでおり、その先端面は、係止部材２４２の係合腕部２４２ｂの左端面に突き当たっている。当接突起２５１ｂは、本体部２５１ａが第１ヒンジ部材２１の左端面に突き当たるまで右方へ移動させられると、その先端面が第１ヒンジ部材２１の段差面２１ｈ（図６（Ｅ）参照）と面一になり、係合腕部２４２ｂを第１ヒンジ部材２１の貫通孔２１ｇから押し出す。この結果、係止部材２４２及び当接部材２４１が折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動可能になり、第２ヒンジ部材２２及び受話部３が回動付勢手段２３の回動付勢力によって折り畳み位置から通話位置まで回動させられる。
【００２７】
ここで、係止部材２４２及び当接部材２４１は、回動軸線Ｌに関して点対称に形成されているので、それらが折り畳み位置から１８０°回動すると、折り畳み位置に位置したときと同じ状態になる。つまり、係止部材２４２が折り畳み位置から１８０°回動すると、その２つの係合腕部２４２ｂが第１ヒンジ部材２１の各貫通孔２１ｇとそれぞれ嵌合可能になる。しかるに、受話部３の折り畳み位置から通話位置までの回動角度はほぼ１６５°である。このため、仮に受話部３が折り畳み位置から通話位置まで回動したとき、係止部材２４２が受話部３と同一角度だけしか回動しないものとすると、係止部材２４２の係合腕部２４２ｂは、受話部３が通話位置に回動したときに貫通孔２１ｇに嵌合することができない。しかし、このヒンジ装置１０においては、受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているときには可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄが当接部材２４１の傾斜面２４１ｂに接触しているので、可動部２２Ｂが折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ向かって回動するのに伴ってその円弧部２２ｄが端面カム２１ｂ上を下方（左方）へ摺動するときに、円弧部２２ｄは傾斜面２４１ｂに接触しつつ下方へ移動することにより、当接部材２４１を可動部２２Ｂより通話位置側へ大きく回動させる。この傾斜面２４１ｂによる回動角度は、折り畳み位置と通話位置との間の周方向の角度と１８０°との角度差と同一に設定されている。この実施の形態の場合、ほぼ１５°に設定されている。したがって、受話部３及び第２ヒンジ部材２２が折り畳み位置から通話位置までほぼ１６５°だけ回動すると、当接部材２４１及び係止部材２４２が、１８０°回動する。この結果、係合腕部２４２ｂが貫通孔２１ｇと対向する。したがって、係止部材２４２が復帰ばね２４３によって左方へ移動させられと、係合腕部２４２ｂが貫通孔２１ｇに入り込む。
【００２８】
なお、係合腕部２４２ｂの先端部（左端部）には、面取り２４２ｃが形成されているが、この面取り２４２ｃは、係合腕部２４２ｂが貫通孔２１ｇに入り込み易くなるようにするためのものであり、係止部材２４２の左方への移動に伴って係止部材２４２を折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動させるためのものではない。したがって、面取り２４２ｃは、必ずしも形成する必要はない。
【００２９】
図２〜図５に示すように、操作ボタン２５２は、押圧部材２５１の左端部に嵌合固定されている。したがって、操作ボタン２５２を右方へ押すことにより、押圧部材２５１を右方へ移動させることができ、それによって係止手段２４による可動部２２Ｂの折り畳み位置での係止状態を解除することができる。図２に示すように、操作部材２５２の右端部は、係止部材２４２の係合腕部２４２ｂが貫通孔２１ｇに入り込んだ初期状態（受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているときの状態）においても、送話部２の連結筒部２ｂの左端部に入り込んでいる。これにより、操作ボタン２５２以外のヒンジ装置１０の各部材が外部から目視されないようになっている。
【００３０】
回動付勢手段２３によって通話位置まで回動させられた受話部３及び第１ヒンジ部材２２は、手動により回動付勢手段２３の付勢力に抗して折り畳み位置まで復帰回動させられる。復帰回動当初は、可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄ，２２ｄが、端面カム２１ｂ，２１ｂに接触しているが、復帰回動途中からは当接部材２４１の端面の当接面２４１ａ，２４１ａ間にそれぞれ形成された周方向に延びる復帰傾斜面２４１ｅ，２４１ｅに接触するようになる。復帰傾斜面２４１ｅ，２４１ｅは、回動軸線Ｌを中心として点対称に形成されており、その傾斜角度は端面カム２１ｂの傾斜角度より若干大きく設定されている。復帰傾斜面２４１ｅの下端は、端面カム２１ｂの下端より若干低い位置に設定され、復帰傾斜面２４１ｅの上端は端面カム２１ｂの上端より若干高い位置に設定されている。これにより、受話部３の通話位置から折り畳み位置への復帰回動途中に、円弧部２ｄが端面カム２１ｂから復帰傾斜面２４１ｅに乗り変わるようになっている。復帰傾斜面２４１ｅは、受話部３の復帰回動当初から円弧部２２ｄが摺動するように形成してもよい。受話部３を折り畳み位置より所定角度（上記のように、この実施の形態ではほぼ１０°）だけ手前まで復帰回動させると、円弧部２２ｄが傾斜面２４１ｂに接触するようになる。この結果、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力が回動付勢力に変換される。そして、この回動付勢力により、可動部２２Ｂが通話位置側から折り畳み位置側へ回動付勢され、受話部３が送話部２に突き当てられて折り畳み位置に維持される。
なお、この実施の形態では、復帰傾斜面２４１ｅと傾斜面２４１ｂとの間に高さ（回動軸線Ｌ方向における位置）が一定である平面２４１ｆが形成されているが、この平面２４１ｆは必ずしも形成する必要はない。
【００３１】
次に、上記第２ヒンジ部３０について説明する。図２〜図５に示すように、第２ヒンジ部３０は、いずれも円板状をなす第１、第２係合部材３１，３２を有している。第１係合部材３１は、ヒンジ軸４１の小径部４１ｃの外周面に回動可能に嵌合している。第１係合部材３１の外周面には、キー溝３１ａが形成されている。このキー溝３１ａに受話部３の連結筒部３ｃの内周面に形成されたキー部（図示せず）が嵌合することにより、第１係合部材３１が受話部３に回動不能に連結されている。しかも、第１係合部材３１は、止め輪４３に突き当たることにより、右方への移動が阻止されている。一方、第２係合部材３２は、筒部材４２の右端部外周面に回動可能に嵌合するとともに、第２ヒンジ部材２２の右端部内周面に嵌合している。前述したように、第２係合部材３２の外周面には、キー部３２ａが形成されており、このキー部３２ａが第２ヒンジ部材２２の本体部２２Ａの係止溝２２ａに回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動可能に、かつ回動不能に嵌り込むことにより、第２係合部材３２が本体部２２Ａに回動不能に、かつ回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動可能に連結されている。第２係合部材３２は、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂによって第１係合部材３１側へ付勢されており、後述する球体３３，３４を介して第１係合部材３１に突き当たっている。
【００３２】
図４及び図１３に示すように、第１係合部材３１の第２係合部材３２と対向する左端面には、一対の第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃが形成されるとともに、一対の第２係合凹部３１ｄ，３１ｅが形成されている。各係合凹部３１ｂ〜３１ｅは、同一の大きさの球面の一部によって区画構成されている。第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃは、周方向にほぼ１６５°離れて配置されている。つまり、受話部３の折り畳み位置から通話位置までの回動角度とほぼ同一の角度だけ離れて配置されている。第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃ間の第１係合部材３１の左端面には、第１係合部材３１の軸線（回動軸線Ｌ）を中心として周方向に延び、第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃを連結する第１ガイド凹部３１ｆが形成されている。第２係合凹部３１ｄ，３１ｅも、第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃと同様に、周方向にほぼ１６５°離れて配置されている。しかも、第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃに対して所定角度θ（この実施の形態ではほぼ１５度）だけ周方向に離れて配置されている。この結果、第１係合凹部３１ｂと第２係合凹部３１ｅとは周方向に１８０°離れ、第１係合凹部３１ｃと第２係合凹部３１ｄとは周方向に１８０°離れている。また、第２係合凹部３１ｄ，３１ｅは、第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃより若干内周側に配置されており、第２係合凹部３１ｄ，３１ｅの斜め外側の部分が隣接する第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃの斜め内側の部分とぞれぞれ交差している。第２係合凹部３１ｄ，３１ｅ間の第１係合部材３１の左端面には、第１係合部材３１の軸線（回動軸線Ｌ）を中心として周方向に延び、第２係合凹部３１ｄ，３１ｅを連結する第２ガイド凹部３１ｇが形成されている。
【００３３】
図３、図４及び図５に示すように、第２係合部材３２の第１係合部材３１と対向する右端面には、装着凹部３２ｂ，３２ｃが形成されている。装着凹部３２ｂ，３２ｃは、第２係合部材３２の周方向へ１８０°離れて配置されている。一方の装着凹部３２ｂは、第１係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｃと同一円周上に配置されている。他方の装着凹部３２ｃは、第２係合凹部３１ｄ，３１ｅと同一円周上に配置されている。各装着凹部３２ｂ，３２ｃには、球体３３、３４がその一部を突出させた状態でそれぞれ嵌合固定されている。球体３３，３４を装着凹部３２ｂ，３２ｃに装着する代わりに、第２係合部材３２の第１係合部材３１との対向面に球状をなす突出部を一体に形成してもよい。
【００３４】
受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているとき、装着凹部３２ｂに装着された球体３３は、その中心が第１係合凹部３１ｂの曲率中心に対し第１ガイド凹部３１ｆ側へ所定の角度（この実施の形態では５°程度）だけ周方向にずれており、装着凹部３２ｃに装着された球体３４は、その中心が第２係合凹部３１ｅの曲率中心に対して同一角度だけ第２ガイド凹部３１ｇ側にずれている。したがって、受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているときには、図１３（Ｄ）に示すように、球体３３が第１係合凹部３１ｂを区画する底面のうちの第１ガイド凹部３１ｆ側の傾斜部に接触するとともに、球体３４が第２係合凹部３１ｅの第２ガイド部３１ｇ側の傾斜部に接触している。これにより、第２係合部材３２を第１係合部材３１側へ付勢するコイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力が回動付勢力に変換される。この回動付勢力により、第１係合部材３１が通話位置側から折り畳み位置側へ向かって回動付勢される。この結果、受話部３が送話部２に突き当たった折り畳み位置に維持される。
【００３５】
なお、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力が第１、第２係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｅの傾斜部と球体３３，３４とによって回動付勢力に変換され、この回動付勢力によって第１係合部材３１が通話位置側から折り畳み位置側へ回動付勢される結果、その反力により第２係合部材３２が折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動付勢され、ひいては第２ヒンジ部材２２が折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動付勢される。しかし、第２ヒンジ部材２２は、係止手段２４によって折り畳み位置から通話位置側への回動が阻止されている。したがって、第２係合部材３２及び第２ヒンジ部材２２が通話位置側へ回動することはない。
【００３６】
また、ヒンジ装置１０が携帯電話機１に組み付けられた状態においては、受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているとき、球体３３，３４の中心が第１係合凹部３１ｂ及び第２係合凹部３１ｄの曲率中心に対してそれぞれ周方向にずれているが、ヒンジ装置１０を携帯電話機１に組み付ける前のユニットとして取り扱われる際には、球体３３，３４の各中心が第１係合凹部３１ｂ及び第２係合凹部３１ｅの各曲率中心とそれぞれ一致し、これによって第１、第２係合部材３１，３２が一体化されている。
【００３７】
受話部３が通話位置に位置しているとき、球体３３の中心は、第１係合凹部３１ｃの曲率中心に対し、受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているときに球体３３の中心が第１係合凹部３１ｂの曲率中心に対してずれている角度と同一の角度だけ第１ガイド凹部３１ｆ側にずれており、球体３４の中心は第２係合凹部３１ｄの曲率中心に対して同様にずれている。したがって、球体３３，３４は、第１係合凹部３１ｃと第２係合凹部３１ｄの各底面の傾斜部にそれぞれ接触する。この結果、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力が回動付勢力に変換され、この回動付勢力によって第１係合部材３１が折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ向かって回動付勢され、受話部３が通話位置に維持される。
【００３８】
次に、上記構成の携帯電話機１０の作用について図１４を参照しながら説明する。いま、受話部３が折り畳み位置に位置しているものとする。この状態において、操作ボタン２５２を図１の右方へ押し、係止部材２４２の係合腕部２４２ｂを第１ヒンジ部材２１の貫通孔２１ｇから脱出させる。すると、当接部材２４１による可動部２２Ｂに対する係止状態が解除される。この結果、回動付勢手段２３の回動付勢力が、可動部２２Ｂ、本体部２２Ａを介して第２係合部材３２に伝達され、さらに球体３３，３４を介して第１係合部材３１に伝達され、第１係合部材３１から受話部３に伝達される。ここで、回動付勢手段２３の回動付勢力は、球体３３，３４と係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｅの傾斜部とがコイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂによって押圧接触させられることによって発生する最大回動付勢力より小さく設定されている。したがって、回動付勢手段２３の回動付勢力が第２係合部材３２から球体３３，３４を介して第１係合部材３１に伝達されるときに、球体３３，３４が係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｅから脱出することがなく、第２係合部材３２は、第１係合部材３１と一体に折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動する。よって、第１係合部材３１に回動不能に連結された受話部３も通話位置側へ確実に回動させられる。受話部３は、通話位置まで回動して停止する。回動付勢手段２３の回動付勢力は、受話部３が通話位置に達した後も受話部３に作用している。したがって、受話部３は、通話位置に維持される。
【００３９】
受話部３が折り畳み位置から通話位置まで回動したとき、当接部材２４１及び係止部材２４２は、回動付勢手段２３により第２ヒンジ部材２２（可動部２２Ａ）と一緒に折り畳み位置から通話位置側へ回動させられる。ここで、第２ヒンジ部材２２の回動角度は、１８０°より小さい１６５°である。しかるに、第２ヒンジ部材２２が通話位置側へ回動するときには、その可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄが傾斜面２４１ｂを下方（図２において左方）へ摺動することにより、当接部材２４１及び係止部材２４２を第２ヒンジ部材２２に対して折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動させる。この回動角度は、第２ヒンジ部材２２の回動角度（受話部３の回動角度）と１８０°との角度差の分である。つまり、この実施の形態では、１８０°−１６５°＝１５°になっている。したがって、当接部材２４１及び係止部材２４２は、第２ヒンジ部材２２（受話部３）が折り畳み位置から通話位置まで回動する間に１８０°回動する。すると、第１ヒンジ部材２１の二つの貫通孔２１ｇ，２１ｇ及び係止部材２４２の二つの係合腕部２４２ｂ，２４２ｂが回動軸線Ｌを中心として点対称に形成されているので、係止部材２４２が初期位置（折り畳み位置）に位置しているときと同様に、係合腕部２４２ｂが貫通孔２１ｇと対向する。その後、復帰ばね２４３によって係止部材２４２が左方へ移動させられ、係合腕部２４２ｂが貫通孔２１ｇに嵌合する。この結果、係止部材２４２が初期状態と同一の状態になり、当接部材２４１及び係止部材２４２が第１ヒンジ部材２１に対して回動不能になる。
【００４０】
回動付勢手段２３によって通話位置まで回動させられた受話部３は、手動で折り畳み位置まで復帰回動させる。受話部３を折り畳み位置側へ回動させると、その回動力が第１係合部材３１を介して第２係合部材３２に伝達され、さらに第２ヒンジ部材２に伝達される。このとき、第２ヒンジ部材２は、回動付勢手段２３によって折り畳み位置側から通話位置側へ回動付勢されているが、上記のように、球体３３，３４が係合凹部３１ｂ、３１ｅに入り込むことによって生じる第１係合部材３１と第２係合部材３２とを一体化する力は、回動付勢手段２３の回動付勢力より大きく設定されている。したがって、受話部３を折り畳み位置側へ回動させると、第１、第２係合部材３１，３２が一体に同方向へ回動し、それらとともに第２ヒンジ部材２２が回動付勢手段２３の回動付勢力に抗して同方向へ回動する。その結果、可動部２２Ｂの円弧部２２ｄが端面カム２１ｂから復帰傾斜面２４１ｅ上を上方（図２において右方）へ摺動する。受話部３を折り畳み位置の若干手前の位置（１０°程度手前の位置）まで回動させると、円弧部２２ｄが当接部材２４１の傾斜面２４１ｂに接触するようになる。この結果、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力が回動付勢力に変換され、その回動付勢力によって受話部３が折り畳み位置まで回動させられる。しかも、この回動付勢力は、受話部３が折り畳み位置に達した後も受話部３に作用している。したがって、受話部３は折り畳み位置に維持される。
【００４１】
受話部３は、手動によって折り畳み位置から通話位置まで回動させることも可能である。受話部３の折り畳み位置から通話位置側への回動当初は、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力が球体３３，３４と第１係合凹部３１ｂ及び第２係合凹部３１ｅの底面の各傾斜部とによって変換された回動付勢力に抗して、受話部３を通話位置側へ回動させる。勿論、このときには、受話部３を回動させる力が第１係合部材３１を介して第２係合部材３２及び第２ヒンジ部材２２に作用するが、第２ヒンジ部材２２が当接部材２４１及び係止部材２４２を介して第１ヒンジ部材２１に回動不能に連結されているので、第２係合部材３２及び第２ヒンジ部材２２が受話部３の通話位置側への回動に伴って同方向へ回動することはない。受話部３を折り畳み位置から所定角度（例えば、１０°程度）だけ通話位置側へ回動させると、球体３３，３４が第１係合凹部３１ｂ及び第２係合凹部３１ｅから抜け出る。その結果、受話部３には回動付勢力が作用しなくなる。その代わり、球体３３，３４が第１、第２ガイド溝３１ｆ，３１ｇにそれぞれ押し付けられることによって摩擦抵抗が発生する。この摩擦抵抗が受話部３の回動を阻止しようとする。したがって、受話部３は、この摩擦抵抗に抗して通話位置側へ回動させることになり、球体３３，３４がガイド溝３１ｆ，３１ｇに入り込んでいる間は、摩擦抵抗によって受話部３を任意の位置に停止させることができる。受話部３を通話位置に対して所定の角度（例えば、１０°程度）だけ手前の位置まで回動させると、球体３３，３４が第１係合凹部３１ｃ及び第２係合凹部３１ｄに入り込む。この結果、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂの付勢力が回動付勢力に変換され、その回動付勢力によって受話部３が通話位置まで回動させられるとともに、同位置に維持される。
【００４２】
手動で通話位置に回動させられた受話部３を折り畳み位置に回動させる場合には、上記とは逆に、まず受話部３を、コイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂ、球体３３，３４及び係合凹部３１ｃ，３１ｄによる回動付勢力に抗して所定角度だけ回動させて、球体３３，３４を係合凹部３１ｃ，３１ｄから脱出させ、第１、第２ガイド溝３１ｆ，３１ｇに入り込ませる。その後、受話部３を折り畳み位置の所定の角度だけ手前の位置まで摩擦抵抗に抗して回動させる。受話部３が折り畳み位置の所定角度だけ手前の位置に達すると、その後は受話部３がコイルばね４３Ａ，４３Ｂ、球体３３，３４及び第１、第２係合凹部３１ｂ，３１ｅによる回動付勢力によって折り畳み位置まで回動させられるとともに、同位置に維持される。
【００４３】
上記のように、このヒンジ装置１０においては、係止部材２４２の係合腕部２４２ｂが、第１ヒンジ部材２１の貫通孔２１ｇに嵌合するとともに、当接部材２４１の端部に係合するようになっており、それらの内周面と外周面とに係合することがない。したがって、第１ヒンジ部材２１が大径化することがない。よって、ヒンジ装置１０が大型化するのを防止することができる。、
【００４４】
なお、この発明は、上記の実施の形態に限定されるものでなく、適宜変更可能である。
例えば、上記の実施の形態は、この発明に係るヒンジ装置１０を携帯電話機１に用いていたものであるが、ヒンジ装置１０はノート側パソコン等にも採用可能である。
また、第２ヒンジ部材２２を、本体部２２Ａと、この本体部２２Ａの第１ヒンジ部材２１側の端部に回動不能にかつ回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動可能に設けられた可動部２２Ｂとから構成しているが、本体部２２Ａと可動部２２Ｂとを一体に形成してもよい。その場合には、第２ヒンジ部材２２全体を回動軸線Ｌ方向へ移動可能にすればよい。
また、第２のヒンジ部材２２を第２のヒンジ部３０（の第２係合部材３２及び第１係合部材３１）を介して受話部３に連結しているが、受話部３に直接連結してもよい。つまり、第２ヒンジ部３０については、必ずしも設ける必要がない。
さらに、コイルばね（直動付勢手段）４３Ａ，４３Ｂの回動軸線Ｌに沿う付勢力を回動付勢力に変換するためのカム面（端面カム２１ｂ及び凹部２１ｃの底面）を第１ヒンジ部材２１に形成しているが、第２ヒンジ部材２２に形成してもよい。
【００４５】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、この発明によれば、第１ヒンジ部材が大径化することがなく、したがってヒンジ装置が大型化するのを防止することができるという効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明に係るヒンジ装置が用いられた携帯電話機の一実施の形態を示す図であって、図１（Ａ）は受話部を通話位置に回動させた状態で示す側面図、図１（Ｂ）はその正面図である。
【図２】図１のＸ−Ｘ線に沿う拡大断面図である。
【図３】この発明に係るヒンジ装置を示す図２のＸ−Ｘ線に沿う断面図である。
【図４】図３のＸ−Ｘ断面図である。
【図５】コイルばね及び復帰ばねを省略して示す同ヒンジ装置の分解斜視図である。
【図６】同ヒンジ装置の第１ヒンジ部材を示す図であって、図６（Ａ）はその正面図、図６（Ｂ）、（Ｃ）、（Ｄ）はそれぞれ図６（Ａ）のＢ、Ｃ、Ｄ矢視図、図６（Ｅ）は図６（Ｃ）のＥ−Ｅ線に沿う断面図である。
【図７】同ヒンジ装置の係止部材を示す図であって、図７（Ａ）はその正面図、図７（Ｂ）、（Ｃ）はそれぞれ図７（Ａ）のＢ、Ｃ矢視図である。
【図８】同ヒンジ装置の押圧部材を示す図であって、図８（Ａ）はその正面図、図８（Ｂ）、（Ｄ）はそれぞれ図８（Ａ）のＢ、Ｄ矢視図、図８（Ｃ）は図８（Ｂ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図９】同ヒンジ装置の中間部材を示す図であって、図９（Ａ）はその正面図、図９（Ｂ）、（Ｃ）、（Ｄ）はそれぞれ図９（Ａ）のＢ、Ｃ、Ｄ矢視図、図９（Ｅ）は図９（Ｃ）のＥ−Ｅ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１０】同ヒンジ装置の第２ヒンジ部材を示す図であって、図１０（Ａ）はその正面図、図１０（Ｂ）は図１０（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、図１０（Ｃ）、（Ｄ）はそれぞれ図１０（Ａ）のＣ、Ｄ矢視図である。
【図１１】同ヒンジ装置の可動部材を示す図であって、図１１（Ａ）はその正面図、図１１（Ｂ）、（Ｃ）、（Ｄ）はそれぞれ図１１（Ａ）のＢ、Ｃ、Ｄ矢視図、図１１（Ｅ）は図１１（Ａ）のＥ−Ｅ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１２】同ヒンジ装置の第１係合部材を示す図であって、図１２（Ａ）はその平面図、図１２（Ｂ）は図１２（Ａ）のＢ矢視図、図１２（Ｃ）は図１２（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１３】同ヒンジ装置の第２係合部材を示す図であって、図１３（Ａ）はその正面図、図１３（Ｂ）、（Ｃ）はそれぞれ図１３（Ａ）のＢ、Ｃ矢視図、図１３（Ｄ）は図１３（Ｂ）のＤ−Ｄ線に沿う拡大断面図である。
【図１４】同ヒンジ装置における端面カム、復帰傾斜面及び傾斜面の動作を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
Ｌ回動軸線
１携帯電話機
２送話部
３受話部
１０ヒンジ装置
２０第１ヒンジ部
２１第１ヒンジ部材
２１ｆ底部
２１ｇ貫通孔（係止凹部）
２２第２ヒンジ部材
２３回動付勢手段
２４係止手段
２５係止解除手段
２４１当接部材
２４１ａ当接面
２４２係止部材
２４２ｂ係合腕部（係止突部）
２４３復帰ばね（復帰付勢手段）
２５１押圧部材（操作部材）
２５１ｂ当接突起[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge device that is used in, for example, a folding cellular phone and can rotate a receiving unit of a folding cellular phone from a folding position to a talking position with respect to a transmitting unit by only one-touch operation of an operation member.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional hinge device of this type, for example, there is one described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-207721. This hinge device is arranged so as to be relatively rotatable on a rotation axis between a transmitting part and a receiving part of a foldable mobile phone, and a first and a non-rotating part are respectively provided on the transmitting part and the receiving part. The second hinge member, the movable biasing means for biasing the second hinge member from the folding position to the talking position side, the locking means for locking the second hinge member at the folding position, and the locking means And a lock release means for releasing the lock state of the second hinge member.
[0003]
The locking means has a contact member and a locking member. The contact member is rotatably fitted to the inner periphery of the first hinge member formed in a cylindrical shape. At the end of the contact member on the second hinge member side, a contact surface that abuts when the second hinge member rotates from the folded position to the talking position side is formed. The locking member is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the first hinge member and the outer peripheral surface of the contact member so as to be movable in the rotation axis direction. When the locking member is located at the locking position, the outer peripheral surface thereof The outer peripheral surface engages with the inner peripheral surface of the first hinge member and the outer peripheral surface of the contact member in a non-rotatable manner. As a result, the contact member is locked to the first hinge member via the locking member so as not to rotate. As a result, the second hinge member cannot be rotated from the folding position to the call position side. When the locking member is moved from the locking position to the releasing position by the operating member of the locking releasing means, the locked state by the locking member is released. Therefore, the second hinge member can be rotated from the folded position to the call position side.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional hinge device, the locking member is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the first hinge member and the outer peripheral surface of the contact member, and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the locking member are the first hinge. Since the inner peripheral surface of the member and the outer peripheral surface of the contact member are respectively engaged, the first hinge member arranged on the outermost side has to be increased in diameter, and as a result, the entire hinge device is increased in size. There was a problem that.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a first hinge member disposed on a rotation axis, and is disposed on the rotation axis so as to face the first hinge member. And a second hinge member that is rotatable between a first position and a second position, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the second hinge member from the first position to the second position. Biasing means, locking means for locking the second hinge member against the rotation biasing force of the rotation biasing means at the first position, and the second hinge member by the locking means. In the hinge device including the unlocking means for releasing the locked state, the first hinge member has a locking recess formed in the rotational axis direction, and the locking means is the first hinge member. Between the second hinge member and the second hinge member so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis. A contact member having a contact surface that abuts when the flange member rotates from the first position to the second position side, and the end of the contact member on the first hinge member side cannot rotate. And a locking member having a locking projection that is movably connected to the locking recess and detachably engages with the locking recess, and the locking member is connected to the second hinge member from the side of the second hinge member. Return biasing means for biasing toward the first hinge member, and the unlocking means moves in the direction of the rotational axis in the direction opposite to the locking member with the first hinge member in between. An operation member provided with an abutting projection that is arranged so as to enter the locking recess and move the locking projection away from the locking recess when moved in a direction approaching the first hinge member. It is characterized by having.
In this case, the first hinge member is formed as a cylindrical body having an opening at the end on the second hinge member side and a bottom at the end on the opposite side. The locking member is formed with a through hole serving as a locking recess, the locking member and the abutting member are sequentially inserted into the first hinge member so as to be rotatable, and face the bottom of the first hinge member It is desirable that the locking projection is formed on the opposite surface.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a mobile phone according to the present invention. The mobile phone 1 includes a transmitter 2 and a receiver 3. A small microphone and various keys (all not shown) are provided on the front surface 2 a of the transmitter 2. A small speaker (not shown) and a liquid crystal display unit 3 b are provided on the front surface 3 a of the receiver 3.
[0007]
At the end of the transmitter 2 on the receiver 3 side, two connecting cylinders 2b are provided. The two connecting cylinder portions 2b are disposed at both ends in the left-right direction of the transmitter portion 2. Two connecting cylinders 3c are provided at the end of the receiver 3 on the transmitter 2 side. The two connecting tube portions 3c are disposed between the connecting tube portions 2b, 2b of the transmitter 2, and are substantially in contact with the respective end surfaces inside the adjacent connecting tube portions 2b. Each connection cylinder part 2b, 3c is arrange | positioned so that a mutual axis line may correspond with the rotation axis L. As shown in FIG.
[0008]
One of the two sets of connecting cylinder portions 2b, 3c; 2b, 3c adjacent to each other (the group on the left side in FIG. 1) has its rotation axis L set by the hinge device 10 (see FIG. 2) according to the present invention. As a center, it is connected so that rotation is possible. The other set (the set on the right side) of the connecting cylinder portions 2b and 3c is connected so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis L by a known hinge device (not shown). Thereby, the transmission part 2 and the reception part 3 are connected so that rotation around the rotation axis L is possible. For convenience of explanation, the following explanation will be made assuming that the receiver 3 rotates with respect to the transmitter 2.
[0009]
The reception unit 3 is rotatable with respect to the transmission unit 2 between a folding position (first position) and a call position (second position). The folding position is regulated by the front face 3 a of the receiver 3 abutting against the front face 2 a of the transmitter 2. The call position is a contact portion provided on each of the transmitter 2 and the receiver 3 (both not shown) when the receiver 3 is rotated by a predetermined angle (165 ° in this embodiment) from the folded position. Z) are regulated by striking each other. Therefore, the receiver 3 cannot rotate beyond the folding position in the direction from the call position side to the folding position side, and rotates beyond the call position in the direction from the folding position side to the call position side. I can't move.
[0010]
First, the function of the hinge device 10 will be described briefly. Now, it is assumed that the receiver 3 is located at the folding position. In this state, when the operation button 252 of the hinge device 10 is pressed, the receiving unit 3 is automatically rotated from the folding position to the call position by the rotation biasing force of the hinge device 10. The receiving unit 3 rotated to the talking position is manually rotated to the folding position side against the rotation urging force of the hinge device 10. When the receiving unit 3 is rotated to the front by a predetermined angle (approximately 10 ° in this embodiment) of the folding position, the receiving unit 3 is rotated to the folding position by the rotation biasing force of the hinge device 10. Not only that, the front surface 3a of the receiver 3 is kept in the folded position by abutting against the front surface 2a of the transmitter 2.
[0011]
The receiver 3 can be manually rotated between the folding position and the call position. First, the case where the receiving unit 3 is rotated from the folding position side to the call position side will be described. In a predetermined angle range (about 15 ° in this embodiment) from the folding position, the receiving unit 3 is connected to the hinge device 10. Rotate against the urging force. Thereafter, the reception unit 3 is rotated to the call position side against the frictional resistance generated inside the hinge device 10 until a predetermined angle (about 15 ° in the present embodiment) of the call position. When the receiving unit 3 is rotated to the front by a predetermined angle with respect to the call position, the receiving unit 3 is not only rotated to the call position by the rotation biasing force of the hinge device 10, but is maintained at the call position. On the contrary, when the receiver 3 is rotated from the call position to the folding position, the receiver 3 is attached to the hinge device 10 within a predetermined angle range (about 15 ° in this embodiment) from the call position. Rotate against power. Thereafter, the reception unit 3 is rotated to the folding position side against the frictional resistance generated inside the hinge device 10 until a predetermined angle of the folding position (about 15 ° in this embodiment) is on the near side. When the reception unit 3 is rotated to the front by a predetermined angle (about 15 ° in this embodiment) of the folding position, the reception unit 3 is then rotated to the folding position by the rotation biasing force of the hinge device 10. Maintained in that position.
[0012]
Next, a specific configuration of the hinge device 10 having the above function will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the hinge device 10 includes a first hinge unit 20 for automatically rotating the reception unit 3 from the folding position to the call position, and manually rotating the reception unit 3. And a second hinge portion 30 that operates in the same manner.
[0013]
First, the first hinge unit 20 will be described. The first hinge unit 20 includes a first hinge member 21, a second hinge member 22, a rotation biasing unit 23, a locking unit 24, and a locking release unit 25. ing.
[0014]
The first hinge member 21 is formed as a cylindrical body having one end opened as shown in FIG. 5 and a bottom portion 21f at the other end, and is inserted into and fixed to the connecting tube portion 2b of the transmitter 2 as shown in FIG. Has been. Therefore, the first hinge member 21 does not move or rotate in the direction of the rotation axis L (here, it is assumed that the transmitter 2 is fixed and the receiver 3 rotates). is doing.). On the other hand, the 2nd hinge member 22 is comprised from the main-body part 22A which makes | forms cylindrical shape, and the movable part 22B. The main body 22 A is rotatably inserted into the connecting cylinder 3 c of the receiver 3, but is non-rotatably connected to the connecting cylinder 3 c via the second hinge 30. Therefore, the main body 22 A of the second hinge member 22 rotates together with the receiver 3. However, when the 2nd hinge part 30 operate | moves, ie, when the receiving part 3 is rotated manually, the 2nd hinge member 22 is relative to the connection cylinder part 3c. Rotation To do. The movable portion 22B will be described later.
[0015]
The first hinge member 21 and the main body portion 22A of the second hinge member 22 are rotatably connected via a hinge shaft 41 whose axis coincides with the rotation axis L. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the hinge shaft 41 has one end to the other end (the left end to the right end in FIGS. 1 to 4; hereinafter, left and right mean the left and right in FIGS. 1 to 4). A disk-shaped head portion 41a, a large diameter portion 41b having a smaller diameter than the head portion 41a, and a small diameter portion 41c having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 41b.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, a small-diameter hole portion 21 a formed in the bottom portion 21 f of the first hinge member 21 is rotatably fitted to the large-diameter portion 41 b of the hinge shaft 41. The first hinge member 21 is prevented from coming off to the left when the bottom 21f abuts against the head 41a. On the other hand, a cylindrical member 42 is fitted to the small diameter portion 41 c of the hinge shaft 41. A flange portion 42a is formed at the left end portion of the cylindrical member 42. The flange portion 42a abuts against a step portion 41d formed between the large diameter portion 41b and the small diameter portion 41c. Is prevented from moving to the left. The first engagement member 31 of the second hinge portion 30 is rotatably fitted to the right end portion of the small diameter portion 41c protruding rightward from the cylindrical member 42. The first engagement member 31 abuts against the right end surface of the cylindrical member 42 and is prevented from coming off to the right by a retaining ring 43. Thereby, the cylindrical member 42 and the first engagement member 31 are fitted to the small diameter portion 41c of the hinge shaft 41 so as not to move in the rotation axis L direction.
[0017]
A second engagement member 32 of the second hinge portion 30 is fitted to the right end portion of the cylindrical member 42 so as to be rotatable. The inner periphery of the right end of the main body 22A of the second hinge member 22 is fitted to the outer periphery of the second engagement member 32. A locking groove 22a extending in parallel with the rotation axis L is formed at the right end of the main body 22A, and a key portion 32a formed on the outer periphery of the second engaging member 32 is formed in the locking groove 22a. Is inserted. Thus, the second engagement member 32 is connected to the main body portion 22A so as not to rotate and to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis L. Here, since the second engagement member 32 is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical member 42, the main body portion 22 A is connected to the first engagement member 32 via the second engagement member 32, the cylindrical member 42 and the hinge shaft 41. The hinge member 21 is rotatably connected. As a result, the transmission part 2 and the reception part 3 are rotatably connected via the first hinge member 21, the hinge shaft 41, the cylindrical member 42, the second engagement member 32, and the main body part 22A.
[0018]
The rotation urging means 23 is for rotating the second hinge member 22 from the folded position to the talking position by the turning urging force, and thus for rotating the receiver 3 from the folded position to the talking position. The configuration is as follows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, a pair of end face cams (cam faces) 21 b and 21 b extending in the circumferential direction are provided on the right end face of the first hinge member 21 facing the second hinge member 22. It is formed point-symmetrically about L. On the other hand, on the left end surface of the main body portion 22A of the second hinge member 22 facing the first hinge member 21, two second ends extending in parallel with the rotation axis L as shown in FIGS. Guide grooves 22b are formed 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. In each second guide groove 22b, two plate portions 22c and 22c of a movable portion 22B that are rotatably fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 42 are slidably inserted. Therefore, the movable portion 22B is connected to the main body portion 22A so as not to rotate and to move in the direction of the rotation axis L. The movable portion 22B is moved toward the first hinge member 21 along the rotation axis L by two large and small coil springs (direct acting urging means) 43A and 43B provided between the movable portion 22B and the second engagement member 32. The semicircular arc portions 22d and 22d formed on the left end surfaces of the two plate portions 22c and 22c by the urging force respectively push against the end surface cams 21b and 21b of the first hinge member 21. It has been applied. The end cam 21b converts the urging force in the direction of the rotation axis L of the coil springs 43A and 43B acting on the movable portion 22B into a rotation urging force about the rotation axis L. Due to this turning biasing force, the second hinge member (movable portion 22B and main body portion 22A) is turned from the folding position side to the talking position side, and the second engagement member 32 and the first engagement member 31 are further moved. Accordingly, the receiver 3 is biased from the folding position side to the call position side.
[0019]
Here, as shown in FIG. 14, the arc portion 22d of the movable portion 22B is in contact with the upper end portion (right end portion) of the end face cam 21b when the earpiece portion 3 is located at the folding position. The angle in the circumferential direction from the upper end to the lower end of the end face cam 21b is set to an angle (for example, 160 °) slightly smaller than the maximum rotation angle (165 °) of the receiver 3, but the lower end portion of the end face cam 21b ( A concave portion 21c is formed in the left end portion subsequently. When the receiving part 3 is rotated to the calling position, the arc part 22d comes into contact with the inclined part located on the end face cam 21b side from the center of curvature of the bottom surface defining the recess 21c, and the receiving part 3 makes a call. Even after reaching the position, the inclined portion urges the movable portion 22B, and thus the receiver 3, in the direction from the folding position to the call position. Accordingly, the portion of the bottom surface of the recess 21c on the end face cam 21b side also forms a cam surface together with the end face cam 21b.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the locking means 24 is for stopping the second hinge member 22 at the folding position against the rotational urging force of the rotational urging means 23. A contact member 241, a locking member 242, and a return spring (return biasing means) 243 are provided.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7, the abutting member 241 has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably fitted in a large-diameter hole portion 21 d formed on the right end portion side of the first hinge member 21. Are combined. On the right end surface of the contact member 241, two contact surfaces 241 a are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis L. The contact surface 241a extends along the rotation axis L from the inclined surface 241b inclined by a predetermined angle (approximately 30 ° in this embodiment) with respect to the rotation axis L, and the left end of the inclined surface 241b. It is comprised from the straight surface 241c. When the reception part 3 is located at the folding position, the arc part 22d of the movable part 22B is in contact with the upper end part of the inclined surface 241b. Therefore, unless the contact member 241 rotates from the folding position side to the talking position side, the movable portion 22B cannot rotate from the folding position side to the talking position side, and the second hinge member 22 and the receiving section 3 are It stops at the folding position. In addition, in a state where the arc portion 22d hits the inclined surface 241b, the urging force of the coil springs 43A and 43B is converted into a rotational urging force by the inclined surface 241b. By this turning biasing force, the movable portion 22B is biased in the direction from the call position side to the folding position side, whereby the receiving portion 3 is kept in contact with the transmitting portion 2, that is, maintained in the folded position. . The contact member 241 is also biased leftward in the direction of the rotation axis L by the biasing force of the coil springs 43A and 43B, and the left end surface of the contact member 241 is brought into contact with the right end surface of the bottom portion 21f by the biasing force. It has been hit.
[0022]
In a state where the movable portion 22B is stopped at the folding position by the contact member 241 so that the receiving portion 3 is located at the folded position, the arc portion 22d of the movable portion 22B is positioned at the upper end portion of the end cam 21b (as described above). The right end surface of the first hinge member 21 is formed with an arcuate surface portion 21e extending further upward (to the right) from the upper end portion of the end surface cam 21b. The arcuate surface portion 21e hardly comes into contact with the arc portion 22d of the movable portion 22B when the hinge device 10 is incorporated in the mobile phone 1, but as a unit before the entire hinge device 10 is incorporated into the mobile phone 1. When handled, the inclined surface 241b Call location From the side Folding position The arc portion 22d of the movable portion 22B that is urged to rotate is received. This prevents the arc portion 22d from dropping from the upper end of the end face cam 21b.
[0023]
The locking member 242 is used to fix the contact member 241 in the folded position. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 9, the locking member 242 has a main body 242 a having a circular ring shape. The main body 242a is rotatable about the rotation axis L between the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 41b of the hinge shaft 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the contact member 241 and moves in the direction of the rotation axis L. Arranged to be possible. The main body portion 242a is urged to the left by a return spring 243 provided between the main body portion 242a and the flange portion 42a of the cylindrical member 42, and abuts against the bottom portion 21f of the first hinge member 21.
[0024]
On the outer peripheral surface of the main body 242a of the locking member 242, two engaging arm portions 242b (locking protrusions) are arranged symmetrically about the rotation axis L. Each engagement arm portion 242b is inserted into two guide grooves 241d formed on the left end surface of the contact member 241 so as not to move in the circumferential direction but to move in the rotation axis L direction. As a result, the locking member 242 is connected to the contact member 241 so as not to rotate and to move in the direction of the rotation axis L. The engagement arm portion 242b protrudes leftward from the main body portion 242a and penetrates from the right end surface of the bottom portion 21f of the first hinge member 21 to the left end surface of the first hinge member 21 along the rotation axis L. (Locking recess) 21g is fitted so as to be movable in the rotation axis L direction and immovable in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the locking member 242 and the abutting member 241 cannot rotate with respect to the first hinge member 21 in a state where the engaging arm portion 242b is fitted in the through hole 21g. Therefore, the movable portion 22B that has come into contact with the contact surface 241a of the contact member 241 is also unable to rotate from the folding position to the talking position side, and the second hinge member 22 and the receiver 3 are fixed at the folding position. On the other hand, when the engaging arm portion 242b escapes from the through hole 21g, the locking member 242 and the abutting member 241 can be rotated, and the second hinge member 22 and the receiving portion 3 rotate from the folded position to the talking position side. It becomes possible to move.
[0025]
The locking release means 25 is for releasing the locked state of the movable portion 22 B in the folded position by the locking means 24, and includes a pressing member (operation member) 251 and an operation button 252.
[0026]
The pressing member 251 is 2 to 5 as well as FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 251a has a ring shape. The main body 251 a is slidably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the left end portion of the first hinge member 21. Moreover, it is prevented from coming off to the left by abutting against the head 41a of the hinge shaft 41. Two contact protrusions 251b are formed on the right end surface of the main body 251a. Each contact protrusion 251b extends in parallel with the rotation axis L and is arranged 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. The front end portion of each contact protrusion 251 b enters the through hole 21 g of the first hinge member 21, and the front end surface thereof abuts on the left end surface of the engagement arm portion 242 b of the locking member 242. When the contact protrusion 251b is moved to the right until the main body 251a hits the left end surface of the first hinge member 21, the tip surface of the contact protrusion 251b is the step surface 21h of the first hinge member 21 (see FIG. 6E). The engaging arm portion 242b is pushed out from the through hole 21g of the first hinge member 21. As a result, the locking member 242 and the contact member 241 can be rotated from the folding position to the talking position side, and the second hinge member 22 and the receiver 3 are folded by the rotation biasing force of the rotation biasing means 23. To the call position.
[0027]
Here, since the locking member 242 and the contact member 241 are formed point-symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis L, when they are rotated 180 ° from the folding position, they are in the same state as when they are positioned at the folding position. . That is, when the locking member 242 is rotated 180 ° from the folding position, the two engaging arm portions 242b can be fitted into the through holes 21g of the first hinge member 21, respectively. However, the rotation angle from the folding position of the receiver 3 to the call position is approximately 165 °. For this reason, if the receiving member 3 is rotated from the folded position to the talking position, the engaging member 242b of the engaging member 242 is assumed to be rotated only by the same angle as the receiving unit 3. When the receiver 3 is rotated to the call position, it cannot be fitted into the through hole 21g. However, in this hinge device 10, since the arc portion 22d of the movable portion 22B is in contact with the inclined surface 241b of the abutting member 241 when the receiver 3 is in the folded position, the movable portion 22B is in the folded position. When the arc portion 22d slides downward (to the left) on the end face cam 21b as it turns toward the talking position from the arc portion, 22d Moves downward while being in contact with the inclined surface 241b, thereby causing the contact member 241 to pivot largely from the movable portion 22B to the call position side. The rotation angle by the inclined surface 241b is set to be the same as the angle difference between the circumferential angle between the folding position and the call position and 180 °. In this embodiment, the angle is set to approximately 15 °. Therefore, when the receiving part 3 and the second hinge member 22 are rotated by approximately 165 ° from the folding position to the talking position, the contact member 241 and the locking member 242 are rotated 180 °. As a result, the engaging arm portion 242b faces the through hole 21g. Therefore, when the locking member 242 is moved leftward by the return spring 243, the engaging arm portion 242b enters the through hole 21g.
[0028]
Note that a chamfer 242c is formed at the tip (left end) of the engagement arm 242b. The chamfer 242c is intended to make it easier for the engagement arm 242b to enter the through hole 21g. It is not for rotating the locking member 242 from the folding position side to the talking position side as the locking member 242 moves to the left. Therefore, the chamfer 242c is not necessarily formed.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the operation button 252 is fitted and fixed to the left end portion of the pressing member 251. Therefore, by pressing the operation button 252 to the right, the pressing member 251 can be moved to the right, thereby releasing the locked state of the movable portion 22B in the folded position by the locking means 24. . As shown in FIG. 2, the right end portion of the operation member 252 is in an initial state in which the engaging arm portion 242b of the locking member 242 enters the through hole 21g (a state when the receiving portion 3 is located at the folding position). Is also entering the left end of the connecting tube 2b of the transmitter 2. Thereby, each member of the hinge apparatus 10 other than the operation button 252 is not visually recognized from the outside.
[0030]
The receiver 3 and the first hinge member 22 rotated to the talking position by the rotation urging means 23 are manually returned and rotated to the folding position against the urging force of the rotation urging means 23. At the beginning of the return rotation, the arc portions 22d and 22d of the movable portion 22B are in contact with the end face cams 21b and 21b, but between the contact surfaces 241a and 241a of the end surface of the contact member 241 from the middle of the return rotation. They come into contact with the formed return inclined surfaces 241e and 241e extending in the circumferential direction. The return inclined surfaces 241e and 241e are formed point-symmetrically about the rotation axis L, and the inclination angle is set slightly larger than the inclination angle of the end face cam 21b. The lower end of the return inclined surface 241e is set at a position slightly lower than the lower end of the end surface cam 21b, and the upper end of the return inclined surface 241e is set at a position slightly higher than the upper end of the end surface cam 21b. As a result, the arc portion 2d is changed from the end face cam 21b to the return inclined surface 241e during the return rotation of the reception section 3 from the talking position to the folded position. The return inclined surface 241e may be formed so that the arc portion 22d slides from the beginning of the return rotation of the receiver 3. When the receiving part 3 is rotated back to the front by a predetermined angle (as described above, approximately 10 ° in this embodiment) from the folding position, the arc part 22d comes into contact with the inclined surface 241b. As a result, the urging force of the coil springs 43A and 43B is converted into the rotating urging force. Then, by this turning biasing force, the movable portion 22B is turned and biased from the talking position side to the folding position side, and the receiving section 3 is abutted against the transmitting section 2 and maintained at the folding position.
In this embodiment, a flat surface 241f having a constant height (position in the rotation axis L direction) is formed between the return inclined surface 241e and the inclined surface 241b. However, the flat surface 241f is not necessarily formed. do not have to.
[0031]
Next, the second hinge part 30 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the 2nd hinge part 30 has the 1st, 2nd engaging members 31 and 32 which make all disk shape. The first engagement member 31 is rotatably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 41c of the hinge shaft 41. A key groove 31 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first engagement member 31. When the key part (not shown) formed in the inner peripheral surface of the connection cylinder part 3c of the earpiece part 3 fits in this key groove 31a, the 1st engaging member 31 cannot rotate to the earpiece part 3. It is connected. In addition, the first engagement member 31 is prevented from moving to the right by abutting against the retaining ring 43. On the other hand, the second engagement member 32 is rotatably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the right end portion of the cylindrical member 42 and is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the right end portion of the second hinge member 22. As described above, the key portion 32 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second engagement member 32, and the key portion 32 a is inserted into the locking groove 22 a of the main body portion 22 A of the second hinge member 22. The second engagement member 32 is connected to the main body portion 22A so as not to be rotatable and movable in the direction of the rotation axis L by being fitted so as to be movable in the direction and not rotatable. The second engagement member 32 is biased toward the first engagement member 31 by the coil springs 43A and 43B, and abuts against the first engagement member 31 via spheres 33 and 34 described later.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, a pair of first engagement recesses 31 b and 31 c are formed on the left end surface of the first engagement member 31 facing the second engagement member 32, and a pair of first engagement members 31 is formed. Two engaging recesses 31d and 31e are formed. Each of the engagement recesses 31b to 31e is defined by a part of a spherical surface having the same size. The first engaging recesses 31b and 31c are arranged approximately 165 ° apart in the circumferential direction. That is, they are arranged at an angle substantially the same as the rotation angle from the folding position of the receiver 3 to the call position. The left end surface of the first engagement member 31 between the first engagement recesses 31b and 31c extends in the circumferential direction about the axis (rotation axis L) of the first engagement member 31, and the first engagement recess 31b. , 31c is formed with a first guide recess 31f. Similarly to the first engagement recesses 31b and 31c, the second engagement recesses 31d and 31e are also arranged approximately 165 ° apart in the circumferential direction. In addition, the first engaging recesses 31b and 31c are arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction by a predetermined angle θ (approximately 15 degrees in this embodiment). As a result, the first engagement recess 31b and the second engagement recess 31e are 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction, and the first engagement recess 31c and the second engagement recess 31d are 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. Further, the second engagement recesses 31d and 31e are disposed slightly on the inner peripheral side with respect to the first engagement recesses 31b and 31c, and the first engagements where the diagonally outer portions of the second engagement recesses 31d and 31e are adjacent to each other. It intersects with the diagonally inner portions of the concavities 31b and 31c, respectively. A left end surface of the first engagement member 31 between the second engagement recesses 31d and 31e extends in the circumferential direction around the axis (rotation axis L) of the first engagement member 31, and the second engagement recess 31d. , 31e is formed with a second guide recess 31g.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, mounting recesses 32 b and 32 c are formed on the right end surface of the second engagement member 32 facing the first engagement member 31. The mounting recesses 32 b and 32 c are arranged 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the second engagement member 32. One mounting recess 32b is disposed on the same circumference as the first engagement recesses 31b and 31c. The other mounting recess 32c is disposed on the same circumference as the second engagement recesses 31d and 31e. Spheres 33 and 34 are fitted and fixed to the mounting recesses 32b and 32c, respectively, in a state where part of the spheres 33 protrudes. Instead of mounting the spheres 33 and 34 in the mounting recesses 32b and 32c, a spherical projecting portion may be integrally formed on the surface of the second engagement member 32 facing the first engagement member 31.
[0034]
When the earpiece 3 is in the folded position, the sphere 33 attached to the attachment recess 32b has a center at a predetermined angle (this angle) toward the first guide recess 31f with respect to the center of curvature of the first engagement recess 31b. The spherical body 34 mounted in the mounting recess 32c is shifted by the same angle with respect to the center of curvature of the second engagement recess 31e. It is shifted to the side. Therefore, when the receiver 3 is located at the folded position, as shown in FIG. 13D, the inclined portion on the first guide recess 31f side of the bottom surface where the sphere 33 defines the first engagement recess 31b. And the sphere 34 is in contact with the inclined portion of the second engagement recess 31e on the second guide portion 31g side. As a result, the urging forces of the coil springs 43A and 43B that urge the second engagement member 32 toward the first engagement member 31 are converted into rotation urging forces. By this turning biasing force, the first engagement member 31 is turned and biased from the talking position side toward the folding position side. As a result, the receiving part 3 is maintained in the folded position where it hits the transmitting part 2.
[0035]
The urging force of the coil springs 43A and 43B is converted into a rotation urging force by the inclined portions of the first and second engagement recesses 31b and 31e and the spheres 33 and 34, and the first engagement is performed by the rotation urging force. As a result of the member 31 being urged to rotate from the talking position side to the folding position side, the reaction force causes the second engagement member 32 to be urged to rotate from the folding position side to the talking position side, and consequently the second hinge member 22. Is urged to rotate from the folding position side to the call position side. However, the second hinge member 22 is prevented from rotating from the folded position to the talking position side by the locking means 24. Therefore, the second engagement member 32 and the second hinge member 22 do not rotate to the talking position side.
[0036]
Further, in the state where the hinge device 10 is assembled to the mobile phone 1, when the receiver 3 is located at the folding position, the centers of the spheres 33 and 34 are the first engaging recess 31b and the second engaging recess 31d. However, when the hinge device 10 is handled as a unit before the mobile phone 1 is assembled, the centers of the spheres 33 and 34 are the first engaging recess 31b and the first The first engaging member 31 and the second engaging member 32 are integrated with each other with the respective centers of curvature of the two engaging recesses 31e.
[0037]
When the receiving part 3 is located at the call position, the center of the sphere 33 is the center of curvature of the first engaging recess 31c, while the center of the sphere 33 is the first when the receiving part 3 is located at the folding position. The first guide recess 31f is shifted to the first guide recess 31f side by the same angle as the angle shifted with respect to the center of curvature of the first engagement recess 31b. It is off. Accordingly, the spheres 33 and 34 are in contact with the inclined portions of the bottom surfaces of the first engagement recess 31c and the second engagement recess 31d, respectively. As a result, the urging force of the coil springs 43A and 43B is converted into a rotation urging force, and the first engagement member 31 is urged to rotate from the folding position side to the talking position side by this rotation urging force. Part 3 is maintained at the call position.
[0038]
Next, the operation of the mobile phone 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Now, it is assumed that the receiver 3 is located at the folding position. In this state, the operation button 252 is pushed rightward in FIG. 1, and the engaging arm portion 242 b of the locking member 242 is caused to escape from the through hole 21 g of the first hinge member 21. Then, the locked state with respect to the movable part 22B by the contact member 241 is released. As a result, the rotation urging force of the rotation urging means 23 is transmitted to the second engagement member 32 via the movable portion 22B and the main body portion 22A, and further, the first engagement member 31 via the spheres 33 and 34. And transmitted from the first engagement member 31 to the receiver 3. Here, the rotation urging force of the rotation urging means 23 is the maximum rotation generated when the spherical bodies 33 and 34 and the inclined portions of the engagement recesses 31b and 31e are brought into press contact with the coil springs 43A and 43B. It is set smaller than the power. Therefore, when the rotation urging force of the rotation urging means 23 is transmitted from the second engagement member 32 to the first engagement member 31 via the spheres 33 and 34, the spheres 33 and 34 are engaged with the engagement recess 31b. , 31e without escaping, the second engagement member 32 rotates together with the first engagement member 31 from the folding position to the talking position side. Therefore, the receiver 3 that is non-rotatably connected to the first engagement member 31 is also reliably rotated to the call position side. The receiving unit 3 rotates to the call position and stops. The rotation urging force of the rotation urging means 23 acts on the reception unit 3 even after the reception unit 3 reaches the call position. Therefore, the receiver 3 is maintained at the call position.
[0039]
When the receiving part 3 is rotated from the folding position to the talking position, the contact member 241 and the locking member 242 are called from the folding position together with the second hinge member 22 (movable part 22A) by the rotation biasing means 23. It is turned to the position side. Here, the rotation angle of the second hinge member 22 is 165 ° which is smaller than 180 °. However, when the second hinge member 22 rotates to the talking position side, the arc portion 22d of the movable portion 22B slides down the inclined surface 241b (leftward in FIG. 2), so that the contact member 241 and The locking member 242 is rotated from the folding position side to the talking position side with respect to the second hinge member 22. This rotation angle is an angle difference between the rotation angle of the second hinge member 22 (the rotation angle of the receiver 3) and 180 °. That is, in this embodiment, 180 ° −165 ° = 15 °. Therefore, the abutting member 241 and the locking member 242 rotate 180 ° while the second hinge member 22 (receiving part 3) rotates from the folded position to the talking position. Then, since the two through holes 21g and 21g of the first hinge member 21 and the two engaging arm portions 242b and 242b of the locking member 242 are formed point-symmetrically about the rotation axis L, the locking member Similarly to the case where 242 is positioned at the initial position (folding position), the engaging arm portion 242b faces the through hole 21g. Thereafter, the locking member 242 is moved leftward by the return spring 243, and the engaging arm portion 242b is fitted into the through hole 21g. As a result, the locking member 242 is in the same state as the initial state, and the contact member 241 and the locking member 242 are unable to rotate with respect to the first hinge member 21.
[0040]
The reception unit 3 rotated to the talking position by the rotation urging means 23 is manually returned and rotated to the folding position. When the receiving part 3 is rotated to the folding position side, the turning force is transmitted to the second engaging member 32 via the first engaging member 31 and further to the second hinge member 2. At this time, the second hinge member 2 is urged to rotate from the folding position side to the talking position side by the rotation urging means 23. However, as described above, the spheres 33 and 34 are engaged with the engaging recesses 31b and 31e. The force for integrating the first engagement member 31 and the second engagement member 32 generated by entering is set larger than the rotation urging force of the rotation urging means 23. Therefore, when the receiving part 3 is turned to the folding position side, the first and second engaging members 31 and 32 are integrally turned in the same direction, and the second hinge member 22 is turned together with the turning biasing means 23. Rotate in the same direction against the rotational urging force. As a result, the arc portion 22d of the movable portion 22B slides upward (to the right in FIG. 2) on the return inclined surface 241e from the end cam 21b. When the receiving part 3 is rotated to a position slightly before the folding position (position about 10 °), the arc part 22d comes into contact with the inclined surface 241b of the contact member 241. As a result, the urging force of the coil springs 43A and 43B is converted into a rotation urging force, and the receiving portion 3 is rotated to the folding position by the rotation urging force. Moreover, this rotational biasing force acts on the receiver 3 even after the receiver 3 reaches the folded position. Therefore, the receiver 3 is maintained at the folded position.
[0041]
The receiving unit 3 can be manually rotated from the folding position to the call position. At the beginning of the rotation of the reception part 3 from the folded position to the call position side, the biasing forces of the coil springs 43A and 43B are inclined parts on the bottom surfaces of the spheres 33 and 34, the first engagement recess 31b and the second engagement recess 31e. The receiving unit 3 is rotated to the call position side against the rotation biasing force converted by the above. Of course, at this time, the force for rotating the receiver 3 acts on the second engagement member 32 and the second hinge member 22 via the first engagement member 31, but the second hinge member 22 is in contact with the contact member 241. Since the second engaging member 32 and the second hinge member 22 are turned to the talking position side of the receiving portion 3 because they are non-rotatably connected to the first hinge member 21 via the locking member 242. Will not rotate in the same direction. When the receiving part 3 is rotated from the folding position to the talking position side by a predetermined angle (for example, about 10 °), the spheres 33 and 34 come out of the first engaging recess 31b and the second engaging recess 31e. As a result, the rotation urging force does not act on the receiver 3. Instead, frictional resistance is generated by pressing the spheres 33 and 34 against the first and second guide grooves 31f and 31g, respectively. This frictional resistance tries to prevent the receiving part 3 from rotating. Therefore, the receiver 3 is rotated to the talking position side against this frictional resistance, and while the spheres 33 and 34 are in the guide grooves 31f and 31g, the receiver 3 is arbitrarily set by the frictional resistance. It can be stopped at the position. When the receiving unit 3 is rotated to a front position by a predetermined angle (for example, about 10 °) with respect to the call position, the spheres 33 and 34 are moved to the first engaging recess 31c Second engaging recess Enter 31d. As a result, the urging force of the coil springs 43A and 43B is converted into a rotating urging force, and the receiving unit 3 can Call location And is maintained at the same position.
[0042]
When the reception unit 3 manually rotated to the talking position is rotated to the folding position, contrary to the above, first, the reception unit 3 is moved to the coil springs 43A and 43B, the spheres 33 and 34, and the engagement recesses. The spherical bodies 33 and 34 are caused to escape from the engaging recesses 31c and 31d by being rotated by a predetermined angle against the rotational urging force by 31c and 31d, and enter the first and second guide grooves 31f and 31g. Thereafter, the receiver 3 is rotated against the frictional resistance to a position just before the folding position by a predetermined angle. When the earpiece 3 reaches a position in front of the folding position by a predetermined angle, the earpiece 3 thereafter turns by the coil springs 43A, 43B, the spheres 33, 34, and the first and second engaging recesses 31b, 31e. Is rotated to the folding position and maintained at the same position.
[0043]
As described above, in the hinge device 10, the engaging arm portion 242 b of the locking member 242 is engaged with the through hole 21 g of the first hinge member 21 and is engaged with the end portion of the contact member 241. Thus, the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface thereof are not engaged. Therefore, the diameter of the first hinge member 21 does not increase. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hinge device 10 from increasing in size. ,
[0044]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, It can change suitably.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the hinge device 10 according to the present invention is used in the mobile phone 1, but the hinge device 10 can be applied to a notebook personal computer or the like.
The second hinge member 22 includes a main body portion 22A, and a movable portion 22B provided at the end of the main body portion 22A on the first hinge member 21 side so as not to rotate and to move in the direction of the rotation axis L. However, the main body portion 22A and the movable portion 22B may be integrally formed. In that case, the entire second hinge member 22 may be movable in the rotation axis L direction.
In addition, the second hinge member 22 is connected to the receiver 3 via the second hinge 30 (the second engaging member 32 and the first engaging member 31), but directly connected to the receiver 3. May be. That is, the second hinge portion 30 is not necessarily provided.
Further, the cam surface (the bottom surface of the end face cam 21b and the recess 21c) for converting the urging force along the rotation axis L of the coil springs (direct acting urging means) 43A, 43B into the rotation urging force is the first hinge member. However, it may be formed on the second hinge member 22.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the first hinge member does not increase in diameter, and therefore the hinge device can be prevented from increasing in size.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a mobile phone using a hinge device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 (A) is a side view showing a state in which a receiver is turned to a talking position; FIG. 1B is a front view thereof.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 2 showing the hinge device according to the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device with the coil spring and the return spring omitted.
6 is a view showing a first hinge member of the hinge device, in which FIG. 6 (A) is a front view thereof, and FIGS. 6 (B), (C), and (D) are views of FIG. 6 (A), respectively. B, C, D arrow line view, FIG.6 (E) is sectional drawing which follows the EE line | wire of FIG.6 (C).
7A and 7B are diagrams showing a locking member of the hinge device, in which FIG. 7A is a front view thereof, and FIGS. 7B and 7C are views of arrows B and C in FIG. 7A, respectively. FIG.
8A and 8B are views showing a pressing member of the hinge device, in which FIG. 8A is a front view thereof, and FIGS. 8B and 8D are views taken along arrows B and D in FIG. 8A, respectively. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 8B.
9 is a view showing an intermediate member of the hinge device, in which FIG. 9 (A) is a front view thereof, and FIGS. 9 (B), (C), and (D) are B, FIG. C and D arrow line views and FIG. 9E are cross-sectional views taken along the line EE of FIG. 9C.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a second hinge member of the hinge device, FIG. 10 (A) is a front view thereof, FIG. 10 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 10 (A), 10C and 10D are views taken along arrows C and D in FIG.
11A and 11B are diagrams showing a movable member of the hinge device, in which FIG. 11A is a front view thereof, and FIGS. 11B, 11C, and 11D are respectively B in FIG. C, D arrow line figure and FIG.11 (E) are sectional drawings which follow the EE line | wire of FIG. 11 (A).
12A and 12B are views showing a first engaging member of the hinge device, in which FIG. 12A is a plan view thereof, FIG. 12B is a view taken along an arrow B in FIG. (C) is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of FIG. 12 (A).
13 is a view showing a second engaging member of the hinge device, FIG. 13 (A) is a front view thereof, and FIGS. 13 (B) and (C) are B and C in FIG. 13 (A), respectively. An arrow view and FIG.13 (D) are expanded sectional views which follow the DD line | wire of FIG. 13 (B).
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing operations of the end face cam, the return inclined surface, and the inclined surface in the hinge device.
[Explanation of symbols]
L Rotation axis
1 Mobile phone
2 Sending part
3 receiver
10 Hinge device
20 1st hinge part
21 First hinge member
21f bottom
21g Through hole (locking recess)
22 Second hinge member
23 Rotating biasing means
24 Locking means
25 Unlocking means
241 Contact member
241a Contact surface
242 Locking member
242b Engaging arm (locking projection)
243 Return spring (return bias means)
251 Pressing member (operation member)
251b Abutment protrusion

Claims

A first hinge member disposed on the pivot axis; and a first hinge member disposed on the pivot axis so as to face the first hinge member; and a first position and a second position with respect to the first hinge member; A second hinge member that can rotate between the first hinge member, a rotation urging means that rotates the second hinge member from the first position to the second position, and the second hinge member that rotates the second hinge member. Locking means for locking at the first position against the rotational biasing force of the biasing means, and locking release means for releasing the locking state of the second hinge member by the locking means. In the hinge device
A locking recess is formed in the first hinge member in the rotational axis direction,
The locking means is disposed between the first hinge member and the second hinge member so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis, and the second hinge member is moved from the first position to the second position. A contact member having a contact surface that abuts when rotating to the position side, a locking member connected to an end of the contact member on the first hinge member side, and the locking member Return biasing means for biasing from the two hinge member side to the first hinge member side, and one end portion on the first hinge member side in the rotation axis direction is on the outer periphery of the locking member. A locking projection is provided in the locking recess for releasable engagement, and the other end of the locking projection is slidably fitted into the contact member so that the locking member contacts the contact It is connected to the member so that it cannot rotate and is movable in the direction of the rotation axis,
The locking release means is disposed so as to be movable in the direction of the rotational axis on the opposite side of the locking member with the first hinge member interposed therebetween, and is moved in a direction approaching the first hinge member. A hinge device comprising an operation member provided with a contact protrusion that sometimes enters the locking recess and causes the locking protrusion to be detached from the locking recess.

The first hinge member is formed as a cylinder having an end on the second hinge member side and a bottom on the opposite end, and the bottom of the first hinge member has the locking recess and Through-holes are formed, the locking member and the contact member are sequentially inserted into the first hinge member so as to be rotatable, and one end of the locking projection can be engaged with and disengaged from the through-hole. The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge device is engaged .