1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-channel hinge, especially to a multi-channel hinge mounted in a portable electronic device to allow a cover to pivot relative to the base.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
With reference to
However, when the shaft (60) is rotated in the tubular parts (51), the tubular parts (51) are pulled to extend or shrink so that “spring back” forces occur in the necks (53). The spring back forces pull the cover to return to the base. Since the necks (53) align with each other, the spring back forces are concentrate on the same axis. The accumulated spring back forces gradually affect a spring back angle of the cover. Table I is a comparison table of the spring back angle and the number of rotations. The spring back angle is measured on an angle scale.
As shown in the table I, as the number of rotations increases, the spring back angle increases. When the number of rotations of the shaft (60) exceeds 35000 times, the spring back angle reaches 3 degrees so that the cover obviously vibrates during pivoting. If the spring back angle is larger, vibration of the cover is more serious during pivoting. The vibration of the cover may cause bumping and noises.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a multi-channel hinge to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel hinge. The multi-channel hinge has a stationary sleeve, multiple resilient spacers and a shaft. The stationary sleeve has an axial gudgeon and multiple channels. Each resilient spacer has a tubular part mounted in the gudgeon, a tab mounted in a corresponding channel and a neck formed between the tubular part and the tab. The shaft is mounted through the tubular parts. Since the necks of the resilient spacers are offset with each other, the spring back forces are separated. Therefore, the spring back angle of the present invention is smaller and present invention provides stabler torque.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
II
With reference to
The stationary sleeve (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) is hollow and has an axial gudgeon (11, 11A, 11B, 11C) and multiple channels (12, 12A, 12B, 12C). The channels (12, 12A, 12B, 12C) are formed axially through an inside wall of the stationary sleeve (10, 10A, 10B, 10C), are located radially around the gudgeon (11, 11A, 11B, 11C) and communicate with the gudgeon (11, 11A, 11B, 11C). Each two adjacent channels (12, 12A, 12B, 12C) have an included angle smaller than 180 degrees. Each channel (12, 12A, 12B, 12C) has a perpendicular keyway (121, 121A, 121B, 121C) formed on an end of the channel (12, 12A, 12B, 12C).
The resilient spacers (20) are mounted in the stationary sleeve (10, 10A, 10B, 10C). Each resilient spacer (20) has a tubular part (21), a tab (22) and a neck (23). The tubular part (21) is mounted in the gudgeon (11, 11A, 11B, 11C) of the stationary sleeve (10, 10A, 10B, 10C), is C-shaped and has a slit (211). In a preferred embodiment, the slits (211) of each two adjacent resilient spacers (20) may be toward opposite directions. The tab (22) is formed on and protrudes transversely out from an outside wall of the tubular part (21), is mounted in a corresponding channel (12, 12A, 12B, 12C) of the stationary sleeve (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) and has a key (221). The key (221) is formed on a side of the tab (22) and engages the keyway (121, 121A, 121B, 121C) of the corresponding channel (12, 12A, 12B, 12C). The neck (23) is formed between the tab (22) and the tubular part (21) and is located adjacent to the slit (211). In the preferred embodiment, the resilient spacers (20) correspond in number to the channels (12, 12A, 12B, 12C) so that each tab (22) is mounted in a respective channel (12, 12A, 12C, 12C).
The shaft (30) is mounted rotatably through the tubular parts (21) of the resilient spacers (20) and abuts an inside wall of each tubular part (21).
With reference to
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Table II shows results of experiments performed on the first embodiment of the present invention shown in
Furthermore, the torque providing by the hinge in accordance with the present invention is stabler than the torque providing by the conventional hinge. The decaying rate C of the torque is based on a first torque A that is generated when the shaft (30) is rotated first time. The following torque B minus the first torque A and then divided by A equal to the decaying rate C. The formula is shown as following:
(B−A)/A=C
With reference to
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.