Patent Application
20060048336
The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on German patent application number DE 10 2004 044 672.5 filed Sep. 8, 2004, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The invention is generally based on the field of hinges and generally relates to a hinge construction for connecting two components.
In the case of a known hinge construction, having a first securing part which can be fixed on a first of the two components, having a second securing part which can be fixed on the second component, having a hinge part, having a first coupling device for the rotatable coupling of the first securing part to the hinge part, and having a second coupling device for the pivotable coupling of the hinge part to the second securing part, the second coupling device, in order to set a predetermined distance between the two components, includes two corresponding, curved coupling surfaces, which run parallel to the pivot axis and of which a first is provided on the hinge part and the second is provided on the second securing part (DE 42 19 681 A1).
In the case of this known hinge construction, the two coupling surfaces are designed in such a manner that they bear against each other along an effective section of their coupling surfaces, which section extends parallel to an extensive connecting gap between the two components. The width of the connecting gap can be changed by pivoting the hinge part in relation to the second securing part. Provision is made in this case, after a desired width of the connecting gap is set, to firmly fix the hinge part and the second securing part on each other via a screw connection.
At least one embodiment of the invention includes an object of simplifying the structural configuration of the hinge construction.
An object may be achieved according to at least one embodiment of the invention by the fact that at least one section of at least one of the two coupling surfaces is eccentric in the pivoting direction.
In the case of such a configuration, the coupling surfaces bear against each other at least along an effective coupling line which runs parallel to the connecting gap, with the position of the effective coupling line being displaced by the hinge part being pivoted in relation to the second securing part while changing the width of the connecting gap.
One example configuration of the novel hinge construction makes provision for the hinge part to be provided with an actuating arm for pivoting the hinge part, this actuating arm preferably being designed as a handle. Such a configuration not only facilitates the pivoting of the hinge part in relation to the second securing part and therefore the setting of the width of the connecting gap, but rather also the initial coupling of both coupling surfaces of the hinge part and of the second securing part.
Further advantageous configurations of the novel hinge construction make provision for the first securing part and the hinge part to be designed in a manner such that they can be decoupled perpendicularly to the axis of rotation and for the hinge part and the second securing part to be designed such that they can be decoupled perpendicularly to the rot axis. This has the advantage of simple exchangeability of the hinge part.
It is advantageous if, in order to fix a predetermined width of the connecting gap, the hinge part can be fixed on the first securing part counter to an elastic force in at least one rotational position in relation to the first securing part. For this purpose, one example embodiment makes provision for the first securing part to have a latching cam and the hinge part to have a latching pin interacting with the latching cam.
The novel hinge construction can be used for example, in the case of protective devices which are intended for protecting electrical apparatus and which have a first component designed as a frame, a second component designed as a covering, and a hinge construction for fastening the covering to the frame. Protective devices of this type may be subject to different protective systems of the standard DIN VDE 0470-1. For example, the protective system IP 55 requires that the protective device ensures protection against harmful accumulations of dust and protection against a jet of water from a nozzle.
For example, it is customary, in switchgear cabinets or switchgear assemblies, to close cutouts in the door (frame), through which the operating console of a power switch protrudes, by transparent coverings in order to protect the switchgear assembly or the switchgear cabinet against the penetration of dust and spray water.
It is particularly important here, despite the large dimensions and the associated large deviations in the flatness of the components, to ensure a good sealing action between door (frame) and covering and at the same time to ensure simple handling of the covering—in particular a simple fitting of the covering on the frame and a simple opening of the covering.
One example embodiment of the novel protective device therefore provides an elastic seal between the covering and the frame. In this case, the sealing action is produced during the closing movement of the hinge construction. Large sealing distances (deformations of the elastic seal) can thus be realized without making the handling more difficult.
An example embodiment of a protective device according to at least one embodiment of the invention having two hinge constructions is illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 11. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a protective device (already known from practical experience) for electrical apparatus accommodated in switchgear assemblies.
In the drawings:
FIGS. 9 to 13 show the hinge construction in a sectional illustration at various stages of movement.
Protective devices as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, which have a frame 1, a covering 2 and two hinge constructions 3, with the hinge constructions 3 being designed in such a manner that on both sides they permit both a pivoting of the covering 2 in relation to the frame 1 and a raising of the covering 2 from the frame 1, are already known in practical experience (hinge construction from Sausco, INC. US,). According to
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According to FIGS. 9 to 13, the covering 12 is coupled to the frame as follows.
According to
By way of the eccentric configuration of the section 28 of the second coupling surface 26, during the pivoting the distance of the respectively effective section of the two coupling surfaces 23, 26 from the side 33 of the frame 11, which side faces the covering 12, is reduced. The width of the connecting gap 35 between the covering 12 and the frame 11 is therefore reduced. A profile seal 38 inserted into a groove 36 of the periphery edge 37 of the covering 12 is compressed by the lowering of the covering 12 during closure of the hinge construction 13 and thereby ensures a sealed finish between covering and frame along the entire peripheral edge 37 of the covering 12.
The hinge part 16 is secured in an end position—i.e. in a predetermined rotational position in relation to the first securing part 14 (cf.
In order to axially position the hinge part 16 in relation to the first securing part 14, use is additionally made of webs 39, which are formed on the hinge part and interact with side surfaces 40 of the second coupling surface 26.
According to
Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2004 044 672.5 | Sep 2004 | DE | national |
