JP4594936B2 - Hinge device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable portable device having two rotation axes parallel to each other and a hinge device suitable for use therein.

  Conventionally, some foldable portable devices have two rotation axes that are parallel to each other. Such a foldable portable device has a first housing, a second housing, and a connecting member, and the first housing and the connecting member are connected so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis. The second housing and the connecting member are connected so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis. Therefore, the second housing has a first angle range that is the sum of an angular range in which the second housing can rotate with respect to the connecting member and an angular range in which the connecting member can rotate with respect to the first housing. It can rotate with respect to one housing. Therefore, in such a portable device, the second housing can be rotated more largely than the portable device that is connected to the first housing so as to be rotatable about one rotation axis. Usually, the second housing has a range of approximately 360 ° between the folded position where the front surface of the second housing hits the front surface of the first housing and the maximum rotation position of the back surface of the second housing hits the back surface of the first housing. Can be rotated.

By the way, in the foldable portable device as described above, it may be necessary to stop the second housing partway between the folding position and the maximum rotation position. Therefore, in the device described in Patent Document 1 below, a locking mechanism is provided between the first housing and the connecting member. The locking mechanism has an engaging member provided movably in the first housing and an engaging recess provided in the connecting member, and the engaging member engages with the engaging recess. The connecting member is locked so as not to rotate with respect to the first housing. In the locked state, since the connecting member cannot rotate with respect to the first housing, the second housing can only move relative to the first housing within a range in which the second housing itself can rotate with respect to the connecting member. Cannot rotate. For example, it can only be rotated by 180 °. Therefore, the second housing cannot be rotated from the 180 ° rotation position toward the maximum rotation position unless the lock mechanism is released. Therefore, the second housing can be stopped at a position rotated 180 ° from the folding position.
Japanese Patent No. 2869500

  In the conventional foldable portable device, it is necessary not only to assemble the first housing and the second housing and the connecting member so as to be rotatable, but also to incorporate an engaging member into the first housing. As a result of the increase in assembly man-hours, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the folding portable device increases.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides first and second hinge members that are pivotally connected about a rotation axis, and an end of the first hinge member that faces the second hinge member. A movable member provided so as to be movable in the direction of the rotational axis but not rotatable, and a first urging means for urging the movable member toward the second hinge member, One of the opposing surfaces of the movable member and the second hinge member is formed with a convex portion that contacts the other, and the other is in contact with the convex portion when the first hinge member is rotated to a predetermined position. Accordingly, in the hinge device in which the cam portion is formed that converts the urging force of the first urging means into a rotation urging force that rotates the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member. In one of the first hinge member and the second hinge member, Arranged in parallel with Kikaido axis, and a base end portion of the engaging member is biased in a direction from one to the other above is movable to said rotation axis direction by the second biasing means, the The engaging member is spaced apart from the movable member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis and is arranged side by side with the movable member, and both end portions in the rotation axis direction are open at the other outer peripheral portion. The distal end portion of the engaging member that has passed the outside of the movable member is detachably engaged with the one end open portion, and the relative rotation between the first hinge member and the second hinge member is performed during the engagement. An engaging recess is provided for blocking in cooperation with the engaging member, the operating member is provided on the other side so as to be movable in the rotational axis direction, and the operating member is directed in the direction from the other to the one side. When the other end of the engaging recess is opened, Luo said engaging member is pressed and moved against the urging force of the said second biasing means is escaped from the engagement recess, thereby releasing the engagement between the engaging member and the engaging recess It is characterized by letting.
In this case, it is desirable that the base end portion of the engagement member is provided movably on the first hinge member, and the engagement recess and the operation member are provided on the second hinge member.
An accommodation hole is formed in an end surface of the first hinge member on the second hinge member side, and a base end portion of the engagement member is movably accommodated in an opening side end portion of the accommodation hole. It is desirable that the second urging means is accommodated at the end on the bottom side.
At least one of the outer surface of the front end of the engaging member and the inner surface of the engaging recess that come into contact with each other when the second hinge member is rotated relative to the first hinge member is disposed on the second hinge member. It is desirable that an inclined surface is formed that causes the engaging member to be pressed and moved against the urging force of the second urging means along with the rotation.

  According to this invention having the above-described characteristic configuration, since the first hinge has the lock mechanism, when assembling the foldable portable device, the first hinge is incorporated between the first housing and the connecting member. In addition, it is only necessary to incorporate the second hinge between the second housing and the connecting member, and there is no need to separately incorporate a lock mechanism. Therefore, the number of assembling steps for the folding portable device can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a foldable mobile phone (foldable mobile device) according to the present invention in a state where a receiver housing is located at a fold position. It is a perspective view which shows the embodiment in the state which located the receiving part housing | casing in the intermediate position. It is a perspective view which shows the same embodiment in the state which located the receiving part housing | casing in the maximum rotation position. It is sectional drawing which shows the embodiment in the state which positioned the receiving part housing | casing in the folding position. It is sectional drawing which shows the same embodiment in the state which positioned the receiving part housing | casing in the intermediate position. It is sectional drawing which shows the same embodiment in the state which located the receiving part housing | casing in the maximum rotation position. It is a side view which shows the hinge apparatus integrated in the connection member and connection member which are used in the mobile telephone of the embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view which follows the XX line of FIG. It is a front view which shows 1st Embodiment of the hinge apparatus based on this invention used in the mobile telephone of the embodiment. It is a side view which shows the hinge apparatus. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the YY line of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the hinge apparatus. It is an expanded view which shows the relationship between the spherical body and the 1st, 2nd contact recessed part in the hinge apparatus. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 12 which shows 2nd Embodiment of the hinge apparatus based on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the same embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of the 2nd hinge apparatus used in 1st Embodiment of the foldable mobile telephone concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

L1 first rotation axis (rotation axis)
L2 Second rotation axis 1 Folding mobile phone (folding portable device)
2 Transmitter housing (first housing)
3 Earpiece housing (second housing)
4 connecting member 5 first hinge device (first hinge)
5A First hinge device (first hinge)
5 'second hinge device (second hinge)
8 Second hinge shaft (second hinge)
10 Locking mechanism 11 Housing hole 12 Lock spring (biasing means, second urging means)
13 Engagement shaft (engagement member)
13a Tapered surface (inclined surface)
14 Engaging recess 20 Unlocking mechanism 21 Operation member 51 First hinge member 52 Mounting member (second hinge member)
54 Movable member 55 Sphere (convex part)
56 Main coil spring (first biasing means)
57 Fixing member (second hinge member)
57c One side (cam part)
57d Other side (cam part)

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 6 show an embodiment of a foldable mobile phone (foldable mobile device) according to the present invention. The foldable mobile phone 1 includes a transmitter housing (first housing) 2, a receiver housing (second housing) 3, and a connecting member 4. One side portion of the connecting member 4 is connected to the base end portion of the transmitter case 2 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1. The base end of the receiver housing 3 is connected to the other side of the connecting member 4 so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis L2. As a result, the receiver housing 3 is rotatably connected to the transmitter housing 2 via the connecting member 4. In addition, while the transmitter housing 2 and the connecting member 4 are relatively rotatable, the receiver housing 3 and the connecting member 4 are relatively rotatable. It is assumed that the position of the speaking unit housing 2 is fixed, and the connecting member 4 and the receiving unit housing 3 rotate with respect to the transmitting unit housing 2.

  The connecting member 4 has an initial position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 and a terminal position shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 (the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 are actually the terminal positions). The position is further away from the initial position by a minute angle (this point will be described later). The initial position of the connecting member 4 is defined by the front surface 4 a of the connecting member 4 abutting against the first abutting surface 2 c formed at the base end portion of the transmitter housing 2. The terminal position of the connecting member 4 is defined by the back surface 4b of the connecting member 4 abutting against a second contact surface 2d formed at the proximal end of the transmitter housing 2.

  The receiver housing 3 itself rotates with respect to the connecting member 4, and the connecting member 4 rotates with respect to the transmitter housing 2, so that FIG. 4 through the intermediate position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to the maximum rotation position shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

  The folding position of the receiver housing 3 is defined by the front surface 3a of the receiver housing 3 abutting against the front surface 2a of the transmitter housing 2 in a state where the connecting member 4 is in the initial position. Yes. The folding position of the receiver housing 3 may be defined by causing the stop surface 3 c formed at the base end thereof to abut against the front surface 4 a of the connecting member 4. In such a case, the front surface 3a of the receiver housing 3 is slightly different from the front surface 2a of the transmitter housing 2 when the receiver housing 3 is in the folded position due to the processing accuracy of each component. Will be separated. Conversely, when the folding position of the receiver housing 3 is defined by abutting the front surfaces 2 a and 3 a, the stop surface 3 c is slightly separated from the front surface 4 a of the connecting member 4. It can be arbitrarily selected which of the above methods defines the folding position of the receiver housing 3.

  The intermediate position of the receiver housing 3 is defined by the stop surface 3c of the receiver housing 3 abutting against the back surface 4b of the connecting member 4 located at the initial position. The intermediate position is a position at the time of making a call using the mobile phone 1, and is set at a position approximately 160 ° away from the folding position in this embodiment. The intermediate position of the receiver housing 3 can be defined by other methods. This point will be described later.

  The maximum rotation position of the receiver housing 3 rotates the receiver housing 3 located at the intermediate position in the counterclockwise direction of FIGS. 2 and 5 around the first rotation axis L1 together with the connecting member 4. When it is moved, it is defined by the rear surface 3 b of the receiver housing 3 abutting against the rear surface 2 b of the transmitter housing 2. When the receiver housing 3 is located at the maximum rotation position, the back surface 4b of the connecting member 4 is slightly separated from the second abutting surface 2d for processing accuracy of each component, and the connecting member 4 is at the end position. It is located at a position slightly ahead of the angle. The maximum rotation position of the receiver housing 3 may be defined by causing the back surface 4 b of the connecting member 4 to abut against the second contact surface 2 d of the transmitter housing 2. In such a case, when the receiver housing 3 is rotated to the maximum rotation position, the back surface 3b of the receiver housing 3 is slightly separated from the back surface 2b of the transmitter housing 2.

  The receiver housing 3 and the connecting member 4 are rotated in the following order by the action of a first hinge device 5 and a second hinge device 5 ′ described later. In other words, it is assumed that the receiver housing 3 is now in the folded position. When the receiver housing 3 is rotated from the folding position toward the maximum rotation position, the receiver housing 3 is first rotated with respect to the connecting member 4 about the second rotation axis L2. At this time, since the connecting member 4 is non-rotatably connected to the transmitter housing 2 by a lock mechanism 10 described later, the connecting member 4 does not rotate together with the receiver housing 3.

  When the receiver housing 3 reaches the intermediate position, the stop surface 3c hits the back surface 4b of the connecting member 4. In addition, since the connecting member 4 is not rotatable with respect to the transmitter section housing 2, the receiver section housing 3 is located at the maximum rotational position side from the intermediate position unless the locked state by the lock mechanism 10 is released. Cannot rotate toward. Therefore, according to this foldable mobile phone, the receiver housing 3 can be reliably stopped at the intermediate position.

  When the locked state by the lock mechanism 10 is released, the connecting member 4 can rotate with respect to the transmitter housing 2. Therefore, when the receiver housing 3 is rotated from the intermediate position toward the maximum rotation position, the receiver housing 3 rotates together with the connecting member 4 to the maximum rotation position side about the first rotation axis L1. To do. When the receiver housing 3 reaches the maximum rotation position, the back surface 3b of the receiver housing 3 abuts against the back surface 2b of the transmitter housing 2 and stops. The lock mechanism 10 released from the locked state is maintained in the released state unless the connecting member 4 returns to the initial position.

  When the receiver housing 3 positioned at the maximum rotation position is rotated toward the folding position, the connecting member 4 first rotates about the first rotation axis L1. Thereby, the reception part housing | casing 3 rotates toward the intermediate position side from the largest folding position. When the connecting member 4 reaches the initial position, and accordingly the receiver housing 3 reaches the intermediate position, the front surface 4a of the connecting member 4 hits the first contact surface 2c of the transmitter housing 2, and the connecting member 4 Can no longer rotate. When the connecting member 4 reaches the initial position, the lock mechanism 10 is automatically locked, and the connecting member 4 cannot rotate from the initial position to the end position side. The receiver housing 3 rotates around the second rotation axis L2 from the intermediate position. When the receiver housing 3 reaches the folding position, the front surface 3a hits the front surface 2a of the transmitter housing 2 and stops.

  The connection relationship between the transmitter housing 2 and the receiver housing 3 and the connecting member 4 will be described in more detail. At the central portion of the proximal end portion of the transmitter housing 2 in the first rotation axis L1 direction. Has a recess 2e. By forming the concave portion 2e, the first and second connecting portions 2f and 2g are provided on one side portion and the other side portion in the first rotation axis L1 direction of the base end portion of the transmitter portion housing 2. Is formed. Similarly, a recess 3d is formed at the center of the base end of the receiver case 3 in the direction of the second rotation axis L2, and one side and the other side in the direction of the second rotation axis L2 are formed. Third and fourth connecting portions 3e and 3f are formed. The first and second contact surfaces 2c and 2d are formed on the bottom surface of the recess 2e, and the stop surface 3c is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 3d.

  One side of the connecting member 4 is inserted into the recess 2e of the transmitter housing 2 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1. As shown in FIG. 8, the first and second connection holes 4 c and 4 d are connected to the first and second connection holes 4 c and 4 d in the direction of the first rotation axis L <b> 1 on one side of the connection member 4. It is formed so as to coincide with the rotation axis L1. A first hinge member 51 of a first hinge device (first hinge) 5 is fitted in the first connecting hole 4c through a resin-made interposer 58 so as not to rotate. On the other hand, an attachment member 52 of the first hinge device 5 is attached to the first connecting part 2f of the transmitter part housing 2 so as not to rotate. The attachment member 52 is connected to the first hinge member 51 by a connecting shaft 53 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1. One end of the first hinge shaft 7 is fitted in the second connecting hole 4d so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1. The other end of the first hinge shaft 7 is attached to the second connecting portion 2g of the transmitter housing 2. In this way, the proximal end portion of the transmitter section housing 2 and one side portion of the connecting member 4 are connected so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1.

  The other side of the connecting member 4 is inserted into the recess 3d of the receiver housing 3 so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis L2. As shown in FIG. 8, the third and fourth connection holes 4e and 4f are connected to the second and second ends of the other side portion of the connecting member 4 in the second rotation axis L2 direction. It is formed so as to coincide with the rotation axis L2. One end of a second hinge shaft (second hinge) 8 is fitted in the third connection hole 4e so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis L2. The other end of the second hinge shaft 8 is attached to the third connecting portion 3 e of the receiver housing 3. A first hinge member 51 of a second hinge device (second hinge) 5 ′ is fitted in the fourth connecting hole 4f so as not to rotate. On the other hand, the attachment member 52 of the second hinge device 5 ′ is attached to the third connecting portion 3 e of the receiver housing 3 so as not to rotate. The attachment member 52 is connected to the first hinge member 51 by a connecting shaft 53 so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis L2. In this way, the base end portion of the receiver housing 3 and the other side portion of the connecting member 4 are connected so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis L2.

  In the foldable mobile phone 1 of this embodiment, the first hinge device 5 and the second hinge device 5 ′ are arranged on one diagonal line of the connecting member 4 as shown in FIG. However, you may arrange | position on the other diagonal and may arrange | position in the edge part of the same side of the connection member 4. FIG. Further, the first hinge device 5 may be used in place of the first hinge shaft 7, and the second hinge device 5 ′ may be used in place of the second hinge shaft 8.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the first hinge device 5 further has the following configuration. That is, the first hinge member 51 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is disposed with its open portion positioned on the attachment member 52 side. A movable member 54 is provided at the open end of the first hinge member 51 so as not to rotate and to move in the direction of the first rotation axis (rotation axis) L1. A spherical body (convex portion) 55 is provided on the end surface of the movable member 54 facing the mounting member 52 side in a state where substantially half of the sphere (protruding portion) protrudes to the outside. The spherical body 55 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first rotation axis L1. As for the spherical body 55, a convex portion having a hemispherical shape or a truncated cone shape may be formed integrally with the movable member 54 instead. The movable member 54 is biased toward the mounting member 52 by a main coil spring (first biasing means) 56.

  A fixed member 57 is non-rotatably attached to an end surface of the attachment member 52 that faces the movable member 54. The fixing member 57 and the attachment member 52 constitute a second hinge member. The fixed member 57 is pressed against the mounting member 52 by the sphere 55 of the movable member 54 urged by the main coil spring 56. Therefore, the fixing member 57 does not rotate with respect to the attachment member 52 and does not move in the direction of the first rotation axis L1, and is substantially fixed to the attachment member 52. Therefore, the fixing member 57 may be formed integrally with the attachment member 52 and may be used as the second hinge member. Further, the attachment member 52 is fixed to the distal end portion of the connecting shaft 53, and the head portion 53a of the connecting shaft 53 is pressed against the bottom portion 51a of the first hinge member 51 by the main coil spring 56 via the interposition body 58, The first hinge member 51, the mounting member 52, the connecting shaft 53, the movable member 54, the main coil spring 56, the fixing member 57, and the interposition body 58 are unitized so that the entire hinge device 5 can be handled integrally. It has become.

  First and second contact recesses 57 a and 57 b are formed on the surface of the fixed member 57 facing the movable member 54. The first and second contact recesses 57a and 57b are arranged on the circumference around the first rotation axis L1 and also on the same circumference as the circumference on which the sphere 55 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 14, the first abutting recess 57 a is an inclined one side portion of the bottom surface of the first engaging recess 57 a in the circumferential direction of the fixing member 57 when the connecting member 4 is located at the initial position. The cam body 57c is arranged so that the sphere 55 is in contact with it. When the spherical body 55 comes into contact with the one side portion 57c, the urging force of the main coil spring 56 is converted into a rotating urging force directed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 14, and the connecting member 4 is moved from the end position by the rotating urging force. It is urged to rotate in the direction toward the initial position, and the front surface 4 a of the connecting member 4 is pressed against the first contact surface 2 c of the transmitter housing 2. Thereby, the connecting member 4 is maintained at the initial position. The second contact recess 57b is disposed approximately 200 ° away from the first contact recess 57a in the circumferential direction of the fixing member 57. That is, when the receiver housing 3 is located at the maximum rotation position, the inclined other side portion of the bottom surface of the second contact recess 57b in the circumferential direction of the fixing member 57 (one in the circumferential direction of the fixing member 57). The spherical body 55 is disposed so as to come into contact with a side portion (cam portion) 57d opposite to the side portion 57c side. When the spherical body 55 comes into contact with the other side portion 57d, the urging force of the main coil spring 56 is converted into a rotating urging force directed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 14, and the connecting member 4 is moved from the initial position by the rotating urging force. The back surface 3b of the receiver housing 3 is pressed against the back surface 2b of the transmitter housing 2 by being biased in a direction toward the end position. As a result, the receiver housing 3 is maintained at the maximum rotation position.

  In order to convert the urging force of the main coil spring 56 into a rotating urging force, the spherical body (convex portion) 55, one side portion 57c of the first abutting recess 57a as an inclined surface that contacts the sphere (convex portion), and the second abutting Although the other side 57d of the recess 57b is employed, other members may be employed as long as the urging force of the main coil spring 56 can be converted into a rotating urging force. Alternatively, the spherical body 55 may be provided in the fixed member 57 and the first and second contact recesses 57 a and 57 b may be formed in the movable member 54.

  The second hinge device 5 ′ does not use the interposition body 58, and the first hinge member 51 is fitted directly into the fourth connecting hole 4 f so as not to rotate, the lock mechanism 10 and the lock release mechanism. Except for the point not having 20, and the configuration described below, the first hinge device 5 has substantially the same configuration as the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in each configuration of the second hinge device 5 ′, portions that are substantially the same as the first hinge device 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The second hinge device 5 ′ is different from the first hinge device 5 in the relationship between the sphere 55 and the first and second contact recesses 57 a and 57 b. That is, in the second hinge device 5 ′, when the receiver housing 3 is in the folded position, the sphere 55 hits one side portion 57 c of the bottom surface of the first contact recess 57 a, thereby The biasing force of the coil spring 56 is converted into a rotation biasing force that rotates the receiver housing 3 in the direction from the intermediate position toward the folding position. With this turning biasing force, the front surface 3a of the receiver housing 3 is pressed against the front surface 2a of the transmitter housing 2, and the receiver housing 3 is maintained in the folded position. Further, when the receiver housing 3 is located at the intermediate position, the sphere 55 hits the other side portion 57d of the bottom surface of the second contact recess 57b, whereby the urging force of the main coil spring 56 is received. 3 is converted into a rotation biasing force that rotates 3 in the direction from the folding position toward the intermediate position. With this turning biasing force, the stop surface 3c of the receiver housing 3 is pressed against the back surface 4b of the connecting member 4, and the receiver housing 3 is maintained in the use position. The rotational biasing force that maintains the receiver housing 3 in the use position is set to be larger than the rotational biasing force that pivotally biases the connecting member 4 from the initial position toward the terminal position. Therefore, when a force for rotating the receiver housing 3 located at the maximum rotation position to the use position side is applied, the connection member must be connected until the receiver housing 3 reaches the use position from the maximum rotation position. 4 rotates and the receiver housing 3 does not rotate with respect to the connecting member 4. Friction resistance acting between the contact surfaces of the sphere 55 and the fixing member 57 when the receiver housing 3 is located between the folding position and the intermediate position and between the intermediate position and the maximum rotation position. Thus, the receiver housing 3 can be stopped at an arbitrary position.

  Note that the intermediate position of the receiver housing 3 can be defined by bringing the sphere 55 into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface of the contact recess 57b over the entire periphery thereof. In such a case, the abutting recess so that the sphere 55 contacts the entire outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface of the abutting recess 57b immediately before the stop surface 3c of the receiver housing 3 abuts against the back surface 4b of the connecting member 4. 57b is arranged.

  The first hinge device 5 includes a lock mechanism 10 and a lock release mechanism 20 in addition to the above configuration. First, the lock mechanism 10 will be described. An accommodation hole 11 extending in parallel with the first rotation axis L <b> 1 is formed on the opening end surface of the first hinge member 51. The accommodation hole 11 is arranged to be separated from the first rotation axis L1 by a distance that is substantially the same as or slightly shorter than the distance between the first rotation axis L1 and the sphere 55. Moreover, the receiving hole 11 is formed from the spherical body 55 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the movable member 54 rotates with respect to the fixed member 57 when the receiver housing 3 rotates from the folding position toward the intermediate position. They are spaced apart by a predetermined angle (approximately 90 ° in this embodiment). A lock spring (second biasing means) 12 is accommodated on the bottom side of the accommodation hole 11, and an engagement shaft (engagement member) 13 is inserted in the opening side of the accommodation hole 11 so as to be able to appear and retract. ing. The engaging shaft 13 can move against the urging force of the lock spring 12 until the entire engagement shaft 13 enters the accommodation hole 11, and the distal end portion of the engaging shaft 13 exceeds the movable member 54 by the urging force of the lock spring 12 and is a fixed member. It can move until it reaches 57.

  An engaging recess 14 that penetrates the fixing member 57 along the first rotation axis L <b> 1 is formed on the outer peripheral side portion of the fixing member 57. The engaging recess 14 is arranged at substantially the same position as the receiving hole 11 in the radial direction centered on the first rotation axis L1, and the connecting member 4 in the circumferential direction centered on the first rotation axis L1. Is positioned so as to be positioned at the same position as the receiving hole 11 when positioned at the initial position. Moreover, the engagement recess 14 has substantially the same size as the engagement shaft 13 so that the engagement shaft 13 can protrude and retract. Therefore, when the connecting member 4 is positioned at the initial position, the tip end portion of the engagement shaft 13 beyond the movable member 54 is inserted into the engagement recess 14 from the opening portion on the movable member 54 side by the urging force of the lock spring 12. When the engaging shaft 13 is inserted into and engaged with the engaging recess 14, the fixing member 57 and the mounting member 52 (second hinge member) are locked so as not to rotate with respect to the first hinge member 51. The member 4 is locked to the transmitter housing 2 so as not to rotate. The engaging shaft 13 inserted into the engaging recess 14 stops at the tip surface of the engaging shaft 13 that abuts against the end surface of the mounting member 52 on the first hinge member 51 side.

  Here, when the rotation of the connecting member 4 around the first rotation axis L1 is completely prevented by the engagement of the engagement shaft 13 with the engagement recess 14, the receiver housing located at the intermediate position. When an excessive force is applied to the maximum rotation position side by mistake, any of the transmitter housing 2, receiver housing 3, connecting member 4 and hinge device 5 may be damaged. In order to prevent such a problem, a tapered surface (inclined surface) 13a is formed at the distal end portion of the engaging shaft 13 that enters the engaging recess 14, and the connecting member 4 is moved from the initial position. When it is going to turn to the terminal position side, the edge of the inner surface of the engaging recess 14 on the first hinge member 51 side comes into contact with the tapered surface 13a. Therefore, when a force for rotating the connecting member 4 from the initial position toward the end position acts, the tapered surface 13a is pushed by the edge of the inner surface of the engagement recess 14 on the first hinge member 51 side, and the hinge shaft 13 Is moved against the urging force of the lock spring 12. And if the connection member 4 escapes from the engagement recessed part 14, the connection member 4 will be able to rotate freely now.

  Instead of forming the tapered surface 13a at the tip of the engagement shaft 13, a taper surface may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the engagement recess 14 together with it. Further, a simple inclined surface may be formed instead of the tapered surface 13a.

  Next, the lock release mechanism 20 will be described. The lock release mechanism 20 has an operation member 21. On the outer peripheral surface of the proximal end portion of the operation member 21, a ridge 21a extending along the first rotation axis L1 is formed. The protrusion 21a is slidably inserted into a guide groove 52a formed in the mounting member 52. Thereby, the base end part of the operation member 21 is connected to the attachment member 52 so as not to be rotatable and movable in the direction of the first rotation axis L1. The distal end portion of the operation member 21 protrudes from the first connecting portion 2 f of the transmitter housing 2 to the outside. Therefore, the operation member 21 can be moved from the outside of the mobile phone 1 in the direction of the first rotation axis L1.

  The attachment member 52 is formed with an insertion hole 22 penetrating in the direction of the first rotation axis L1. The insertion hole 22 is disposed at substantially the same position as the engagement recess 14 in the circumferential direction of the circle centered on the first rotation axis L1. An intermediate shaft 23 is slidably inserted into the insertion hole 22. In the intermediate shaft 23, when the connecting member 4 is located at the initial position, one end of the intermediate shaft 23 abuts against the front end surface of the engagement shaft 13 and the other end abuts against the operation member 21. Therefore, when the operating member 21 is pressed and moved toward the inside of the transmitter housing 2, the engagement shaft 13 is pressed and moved via the intermediate shaft 23. When the operation member 21 is moved to the movement limit position (release position) toward the inside of the transmitter housing 2, the engagement shaft 13 comes out of the engagement recess 14. When the connecting member 4 is rotated from the initial position to the end position side in a state where the engagement shaft 13 has escaped from the engagement recess 14, the engagement recess 14 is separated from the engagement shaft 13 in the circumferential direction. The shaft 13 cannot enter the engaging recess 14 and slides on the end surface of the fixing member 57. When the connecting member 4 is rotated to the initial position, the engagement recess 14 faces the engagement shaft 13, so that the engagement shaft 13 is inserted into the engagement recess 14 by the urging force of the lock spring 12 and is automatically locked. It becomes a state. Further, the operating member 21 is biased by the lock spring 12 to the outside of the transmitter housing 2 via the engaging shaft 13 and the intermediate shaft 23, and is positioned at the movement limit position (allowable position) in the same direction.

  In addition, the movement limit position to the inside of the operation member 21 is defined by the protrusion 21a of the operation member 21 abutting against the bottom surface of the guide groove 51b. The movement limit position to the outside of the operation member 21 is defined by the protrusion 21b formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the operation member 21 hitting the outer side surface of the notch 52b formed in the mounting member 52. .

  In the foldable mobile phone 1 having the above configuration, since the first hinge device 5 has the lock mechanism 10, it is necessary to separately provide a lock mechanism between the transmitter housing 2 and the connecting member 4. Absent. Therefore, the trouble of assembling the lock mechanism separately can be saved, and the manufacturing cost of the foldable mobile phone 1 can be reduced by that amount.

  15 and 16 show a second embodiment of the hinge device according to the present invention. In the first hinge device 5 </ b> A of this embodiment, the interposition body 58 is not used, and the first hinge member 51 is fitted in the first connection hole 4 c of the connection member 4 so as not to rotate directly. Further, the head 53 a of the connecting shaft 53 is brought into press contact with the bottom 51 a of the first hinge member 51 via the seat plate 59. A return spring 24 is provided between the attachment member 52 and the operation member 21. The return spring 24 urges the operation member 21 toward the outside of the transmitter housing 2. Accordingly, even when the lock mechanism 10 is unlocked, the operation member 21 is returned to the outer movement limit position by the return spring 24 and is maintained at that position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operating member 21 from rattling in the direction of the first rotation axis L1 when the connecting member 4 is located at a position other than the initial position. A guide recess 21c extending in the direction of the first rotation axis L1 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the operation member 21, and an inner end portion of the guide shaft 25 provided in the mounting member 52 is formed in the guide recess 21c. Is slidably inserted. When the guide shaft 25 abuts against the outer end portion of the guide recess 21c, the movement limit position (release position) to the inside of the operating member 21 is defined, and the guide shaft 25 abuts against the inner end portion of the guide recess 21c. Defines the movement limit position (allowable position) to the outside of the operation member 21. Further, one end of the intermediate shaft 23 is embedded and fixed in the operation member 21. Other configurations are the same as those of the hinge device 5.

  The present invention can be used in a portable device such as a foldable mobile phone in which the first and second housings are connected so as to be rotatable around first and second rotation axes parallel to each other.

Claims (4)

The first and second hinge members connected to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and the end of the first hinge member facing the second hinge member are movable in the direction of the rotation axis. And a movable member provided in a non-rotatable manner and a first urging means for urging the movable member toward the second hinge member, and an opposing surface of the movable member and the second hinge member is provided. A convex portion that abuts on the other is formed on one side, and the urging force of the first urging means is exerted on the other side by abutting the convex portion when the first hinge member rotates to a predetermined position. In the hinge device in which the cam portion that converts the first hinge member into a rotation biasing force that rotates the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member is formed.
One of the first hinge member and the second hinge member is arranged in parallel with the rotation axis and is an engagement member urged in the direction from the one to the other by the second urging means. A base end portion is provided so as to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis, and the engagement member is spaced apart from the movable member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and is arranged side by side with the movable member. Both end portions in the rotational axis direction are opened on the other outer peripheral portion, and the tip end portion of the engaging member that has passed the outside of the movable member is detachably engaged with the one end open portion. An engagement recess for preventing relative rotation between the first hinge member and the second hinge member in cooperation with the engagement member is provided, and the operation member is movable in the rotation axis direction on the other side. The operating member is directed from the other side to the one side. When moved in the opposite direction, the engagement member is pressed against the urging force of the second urging means from the other end open portion of the engagement recess to escape from the engagement recess, thereby A hinge device for releasing engagement between the engagement member and the engagement recess. The base end portion of the engagement member is movably provided on the first hinge member, and the engagement recess and the operation member are provided on the second hinge member. Hinge device. An accommodation hole is formed in an end surface of the first hinge member on the second hinge member side, and a base end portion of the engagement member is movably accommodated in an opening side end portion of the accommodation hole, and a bottom portion of the accommodation hole The hinge device according to claim 2, wherein the second urging means is accommodated in an end portion on the side. At least one of the outer surface of the front end of the engaging member and the inner surface of the engaging recess that abut each other when the second hinge member is rotated relative to the first hinge member is provided on the second hinge. The inclined surface which presses and moves the said engaging member against the urging | biasing force of the said 2nd urging means with rotation of a member is formed in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Hinge device.

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