Hinge with variable torque

Abstract

A hinge with variable torque is disclosed to include a first part, which has a shaft at one side thereof and recessed portions on the peripheral wall of the shaft, and a second part, which has a sleeve disposed at one side thereof and grooves on the inside wall of the sleeve. The sleeve is pivotally coupled to the shaft of the first part. A first contact area and a first friction force are produced between the peripheral wall of the shaft and the inside wall of the sleeve when the first part is turned to a first angle relative to the second part, and a second contact area and a second friction force are produced between thereinbetween when the first part is turned to a second angle relative to the second part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a hinge according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a hinge with variable torque according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing the hinge of the present invention used in a notebook computer.

FIG. 4A is schematic sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 2, showing the status of a first contact area between the first part and the second part of the hinge.

FIG. 4B is a schematic sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 2, showing the status of a second contact area between the first part and the second part of the hinge.

Claims

1. A hinge with variable torque comprising: a first part, having a first side and a shaft at the first side of the first part, the shaft having a peripheral wall; anda second part, having a second side and a sleeve disposed at the second side of the second part and pivotally coupled to the shaft of the first part, the sleeve having an inside wall disposed in contact with the peripheral wall of the shaft;wherein the sleeve has at least one groove on the inside wall; the shaft has at least one recessed portion on the peripheral wall.

2. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first part further has a third side opposite to the first side thereof, a first mounting portion disposed at the third side of the first part, and a plurality of first mounting through holes defined in the first mounting portion of the first part.

3. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second part further has a fourth side opposite to the second side thereof, a second mounting portion disposed at the fourth side of the second part, and a plurality of second mounting through holes defined in the second mounting portion of the second part.

4. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the peripheral wall of the shaft of the first part is nominally smaller than the diameter of the inside wall of the sleeve of the second part.

5. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first contact area and a first friction force are produced between the peripheral wall of the shaft and the inside wall of the sleeve when the first part is turned to a first angle relative to the second part; a second contact area and a second friction force are produced between the peripheral wall of the shaft and the inside wall of the sleeve when the first part is turned to a second angle relative to the second part.

6. The hinge as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one recessed portion of the first part and the at least one groove of the second part are set apart when the first part is turned to the first angle relative to the second part; the at least one recessed portion of the first part and the at least one groove of the second part are kept face to face when the first part is turned to the second angle relative to the second part.

7. The hinge as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first contact area and the first friction force are respectively smaller than the second contact area and the second friction force.

8. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises a cylindrical open chamber; the inside wall is provided inside the cylindrical open chamber, and the at least one groove is provided at the inside wall.

9. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft further comprises a cylinder; the peripheral wall is provided on the cylinder, and the at least one recessed portion is provided at the peripheral wall.