TORQUE HINGE, DEVICE HAVING A TORQUE HINGE, AND USE OF A TORQUE HINGE

Abstract

A torque hinge for pivotally connecting two objects has an inner cable guide that provides electrical connection of the objects. The inner cable guide has at the interface a reversibly connectable electrical connector element pair. The torque hinge has a hollow-pin element, a friction element and a first and second bush element. The hollow-pin element is arranged in the first bush element at one end and extends into the second bush element at the other end. The friction element is arranged between the first and second bush elements. The hollow-pin element is connected at one end to the first bush element for conjoint rotation and is pivotably received in the second bush element at the other end, or the hollow-pin element is formed as a free-running pin that is pivotably received in the first bush element at one end and in the second bush element at the other end.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. A torque hinge (1) for pivotally connecting a first object (G1) to a second object (G2), comprising: a hollow-pin element (10); a friction element (20); at least one first bush element (30) designed for connection to the first object (G1); at least one second bush element (40) designed for connection to the second object (G2); an inner cable guide (K, K′) that, in a use arrangement of the torque hinge (1) in which the objects (G1, G2) are connected via the torque hinge (1), provides electrical and/or electronic connection of the objects (G1, G2); and at least two component groups (B1, B2) that are reversibly disconnectable and connectable at an interface (T), of which a first component group (B1) is allocated to the first object (G1) and a second component group (B2) is allocated to the second object (G2) in the use arrangement, wherein the inner cable guide (K, K′) has at least one reversibly disconnectable and connectable electrical and/or electronic connector element pair at the interface (T), comprising two connector elements (2,3), including a first connector element (3) allocated to the first component group (B1) and a second connector element (2) corresponding to the first connector element (3) and allocated to the second component group (B2), wherein the hollow-pin element (10) has a first section (11), which is arranged in the first bush element (30), and a second section (12), which extends into the second bush element (40) and on which the friction element (20) is arranged in a region between the first and second bush elements (30, 40), and wherein the hollow-pin element (10) is connected, at the first section (11), in a rotationally fixed manner to the first bush element (30) and is pivotally received, at the second section (12) of the hollow-pin element (10), in the second bush element (40), or is designed as a free-running pin, which is pivotally received with the first section (11) in the first bush element (30) and with the second section (12) in the second bush element (40), and wherein the inner cable guide (K, K′) extends through a longitudinally axial passage opening (D1) of the hollow-pin element (10), wherein the interface (T) is provided between the hollow-pin element (10) and the first bush element (30), wherein the rotationally fixed connection of the hollow-pin element (10) to the first bush element (30) is a releasable rotationally fixed connection, wherein the first component group (B1) includes at least the first bush element (30) and the first connector element (3), and wherein the second component group (B2) includes at least the second bush element (40), the hollow-pin element (10) and the friction element (20).

14. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein the torque hinge (1) has a connection device (9) that is designed for electrical and/or electronic connection to the first object (G1) and a connection element (42) designed for electrical and/or electronic connection to the second object (G2), wherein the connection device (9) is arranged in the first bush element (30) and is connected to the first connector element (3), and wherein the connection element (42) is arranged in the second bush element (40) and is connected to the second connector element (2).

15. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein one of the two connector elements (2, 3) has, on an end face (2′, 3′) turned towards the other connector element (2, 3), a number of contact pins (P) that corresponds at least to the number of individual lines of the cable guide (K, K′), and the other connector element (2, 3) has an accordingly corresponding number of contact sections (A) on its end face (2′, 3′) turned towards the connector element (2, 3), and wherein both connector elements (3, 2) have an identical non-circular, and non-rotationally symmetrical, cross-section.

16. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein one of the two connector elements (2, 3) has, on an end face (2′, 3′) turned towards the other connector element (2, 3), a number of contact pins (P) that corresponds at least to the number of individual lines of the cable guide (K, K′), and the other connector element (2, 3) has an accordingly corresponding number of contact sections (A) on its end face (2′, 3′) turned towards the connector element (2, 3), and wherein each connector element (3, 2) has at least two permanent magnets (N, S) with a predetermined arrangement of north and south poles on the end face (3′, 2′).

17. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein one of the two connector elements (2, 3) has, on an end face (2′, 3′) turned towards the other connector element (2, 3), a number of contact pins (P) that corresponds at least to the number of individual lines of the cable guide (K, K′), and the other connector element (2, 3) has an accordingly corresponding number of contact sections (A) on its end face (2′, 3′) turned towards the connector element (2, 3), and wherein the connector elements (2, 3) have additional control contact pins (P.sub.Steuer) and control contact sections (A.sub.Steuer), an arrangement of which on the respective end face (2′, 3′) is predetermined with respect to the contact pins (P.sub.1) and contact sections (A) allocated to the individual lines, wherein control lines, which are allocated to the control contact pins (P.sub.Steuer) and control contact sections (A.sub.Steuer), are connected to a disconnect device for the individual lines.

18. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 17, wherein the control contact pins (P.sub.Steuer) and the control contact sections (A.sub.Steuer) differ in shape from a shape of the contact pins (P) and contact sections (A), or wherein the first connector element (3) has shaping elements (F1′, F2′) on the end face (3′) and the second connector element (2) has mating shaping elements (F1, F2) on the end face (2′), wherein the shaping elements (F1′, F2′) and mating shaping elements (F1, F2) are designed to correspond to one another in terms of dimensions and position on the end faces (2′, 3′).

19. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 18, wherein the control contact pins (P.sub.Steuer) and control contact sections (A.sub.Steuer) are designed as lagging contacts with respect to the contact pins (P) and con-tact sections (A).

20. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein one of the two connector elements (2, 3) has, on an end face (2′, 3′) turned towards the other connector element (2, 3), a number of contact pins (P) that corresponds at least to the number of individual lines of the cable guide (K, K′), and the other connector element (2, 3) has an accordingly corresponding number of contact sections (A) on its end face (2′, 3′) turned towards the connector element (2, 3), and wherein at least one of the two connector elements (2, 3) has a proximity sensor (H), which is connected via control lines to a disconnect device for the individual lines.

21. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein the torque hinge (1) has at least one seal (4), which is allocated to the first or the second component group (B1, B2) at the interface (T).

22. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein the hollow-pin element (10) is connected, at the first section (11), in a rotationally fixed connection to the first bush element (30) and is pivotally received, at the second section (12) of the hollow-pin element (10), in the second bush element (40), wherein the interface (T) is provided between the hollow-pin element (10) and the first bush element (30), wherein the rotationally fixed connection of the hollow-pin element (10) to the first bush element (30) is a releasable rotationally fixed connection, wherein the first component group (B1) includes at least the first bush element (30) and the first connector element (3), and wherein the second component group (B2) includes at least the second bush element (40), the hollow-pin element (10) and the friction element (20).

23. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein the releasable rotationally fixed connection of the hollow-pin element (10) to the first bush element (30), which has a receptacle (30′) for the first section (11) of the hollow-pin element (10), is provided by a positive-locking and/or force-fitting and/or magnetic connection technology.

24. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 23, wherein the first section (11) of the hollow-pin element (10) has a non-circular and non-rotationally symmetrical, cross-section and the receptacle (30′) for the first section (11) of the hollow-pin element (10) in the first bush element (30) has a correspondingly shaped non-circular and non-rotationally symmetrical, cross-section, and/or wherein the first section (11) of the hollow-pin element (10) and the first bush element (30) have aligned bores (15, 32) in which a bolt (5) is arranged, and/or wherein the first section (11) of the hollow-pin element (10) has a detent recess (11′) for engaging a spring-mounted bolt (5′), which is mounted in a position corresponding to the detent recess (11′) in the receptacle (30′) of the first bush element (30), and/or wherein a first magnetic element (5′) is arranged on a surface of a stop (13) adjacent to the first section (11) and a second magnetic element (5′) is arranged on a corresponding surface on the first bush element (30) adjacent to the receptacle (30′), wherein the first and second magnetic elements (5′) are selected and arranged from magnetic and magnetizable materials such that an attractive force is provided be-tween the first and second magnetic elements (5′).

25. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 13, wherein the second connector element (2) is arranged in a receptacle recess (14′) that is formed by a section of the passage opening (D1) at an end face (14) of the first section (11) of the hollow-pin element (10) and that corresponds in shape and dimension to the second connector element (2), and wherein the first bush element (30) has a receptacle (30″) for the first connector element (3) corresponding in shape and dimension to the first connector element (3) and positioned opposite the receptacle recess (14′) on the end face (14) of the first section (11) of the hollow-pin element (10).

26. The torque hinge (1) according to claim 24, wherein the receptacle recess (14′) in the hollow-pin element (10) for the second connector element (2) and the receptacle recess (30″) in the first bush element (30) for the first connector element (3) have a cross-section that is shaped in a manner corresponding to the cross-section of the respective first and second connector elements (3, 2).

27. A device, comprising two objects (G1, G2) which are pivotably connected via the torque hinge (1) as in claim 13, wherein an inner cable guide provides an electrical and/or electronic connection of the objects (G1, G2).

28. A method for pivotably and electrically and/or electronically connecting two objects (G1, G2) with a torque hinge (1) with inner cable guide (K, K′), comprising: reversible disconnecting and connecting the two objects (G1, G2) at an interface (T) provided by the torque hinge (1) divided into component groups (B1, B2) at the interface (T), of which a first component group (B1) is allocated to a first object (G1) of the two objects (G1, G2) and a second component group (B2) is allocated to a second object (G2) of the two objects (G1, G2), and reversible disconnecting and connecting at least one electrical and/or electronic connector element pair of the inner cable guide (K, K′) at the interface (T), which comprises a first connector element (3) allocated to the first component group (B1) and a corresponding/complementary second connector element (2) allocated to the second component group (B2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of two objects pivotally connected to a torque hinge in a use arrangement.

[0048] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of two objects disconnected by disconnection of the component groups.

[0049] FIG. 2a is perspective view of an alternatively configured torque hinge in a use arrangement with a connected object.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternatively configured torque hinge disconnected into component groups.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a device of two objects connected with a torque hinge in a use arrangement and a disconnected arrangement.

[0052] FIG. 4 a perspective exploded view of a torque hinge in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a torque hinge according to FIG. 3.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the hollow-pin element with a first bush element of a torque hinge corresponding to FIG. 3 with different connection and sealing solutions.

[0055] FIG. 7a is a schematic detailed sectional view for the releasable connection of the hollow-pin element to the first bush element by a spring pin engaging in a groove.

[0056] FIG. 7b is schematic detailed sectional view for the releasable connection of the hollow-pin element to the first bush element by a magnetic connection.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of a torque hinge in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a schematic side and partial section view of a torque hinge corresponding to FIG. 7.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a schematic detailed sectional view of the hollow-pin element arrangement of FIGS. 7, 8.

[0060] FIG. 11 a schematic front view of the interface of a torque hinge corresponding to FIGS. 7, 8 with an alternative interface seal,

[0061] FIG. 12a is a schematic illustration of a magnet coding of the connector elements in top view of the end faces.

[0062] FIG. 12b is a schematic illustration of a magnet coding of the connector elements in side view.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the arrangement of control and signal contact pins or sections, as the case may be, of a pair of connector elements.

[0064] FIG. 14 is a schematic top and side view of a uniaxial pivoting torque hinge.

[0065] FIG. 15 is a schematic top and side view of a torque hinge that can be pivoted about two axes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] The invention relates to a torque hinge with inner cable guide, which can be easily joined or connected and disconnected, as the case may be, and is thus particularly easy to maintain, for example for replacing the hinged objects. Another aspect of the invention relates to a device that consists of two objects connected by such a torque hinge, and to the use of the torque hinge for releasably connecting the objects.

[0067] As shown by example in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 8, the objects G1, G2 connected by a torque hinge 1 may be electronic devices such as a tablet or keyboard G1 and a monitor G2. However, the invention is not limited to these exemplary objects—a torque hinge 1 can be used to connect any object that is to be adjustably pivotable and requires an electrical and/or electronic connection. Thereby, for example, a holder or a support arm, as the case may be, that has an electrical and/or electronic line can also represent an object that can be connected to an electronic device such as a keyboard or a tablet via a torque hinge 1 in a pivotable manner and electrically/electronically, such that the electronic device can be ergonomically adjusted to the respective user. Furthermore, an arrangement comprising a support arm having an electrical line (first object) and an electrical device such as a lamp (second object) is also regarded as a device if the lamp is pivotable via a torque hinge and is electrically connected to the support arm or to the line, as the case may be.

[0068] The torque hinges 1 shown have two or three bush elements 30, 40 for connection to the objects G1, G2, which are to be pivotably and electrically/electronically connected. The bush elements 30, 40 are pivotally connected to one another via a hollow-pin element 10, which allows the cable to pass through (see FIGS. 4 to 10). In the devices shown with FIGS. 4 to 7, the hollow-pin element 10 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner at a first section 11 to one of the bush elements 30, wherein, at a second section 12 of the hollow-pin element 10, which rotatably extends into the second bush element 40, a friction element 20 is arranged in the region between the bush elements 30, 40. The friction element 20 provides mechanical self-locking and stepless adjustability in a desired angular position of the objects G1, G2. The friction element 20 in the device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has an arrangement comprising a friction ring 21 and a disk 23 arranged between two seals 22. Thereby, the friction ring 21 is anchored in the receptacle opening 44 of the second bush element 40 and is arranged on the second section 12 of the hollow-pin element 10 such that, upon rotation, a frictional torque is generated between the inner surface of the friction ring 21 and the outer surface of the hollow-pin element 10. The arrangement of the disk 23 improves the sealing between the bush elements 30, 40 by arranging the two seals 22, one of which is arranged on the second bush element 40 in a ring-shaped groove 43 and the other on the disk-shaped stop 13 of the hollow-pin element 10 between the sections 11 and 12.

[0069] A torque hinge can also have another friction element not shown figuratively herein, which can be a friction element known in the prior art.

[0070] In order to enable the simple connection and disconnection of the torque hinge 1 with an inner cable guide, the torque hinge 1, as schematically sketched in FIG. 3, comprises two component groups B1, B2 that can be reversibly disconnected and connected at an interface T and that are allocated to the objects G1, G2, wherein each component group B1, B2 has at least one electrical/electronic connector element 2, 3 at the interface T in each case. The two connector elements 2, 3 are complementary in configuration in order to form a releasable connection in the use arrangement shown in FIG. 3 above if the two component groups B1, B2 are joined together to establish the electrical/electronic contact of the cable guide sections K, K′ to provide the inner cable guide. The connector elements 2, 3 can be suitably aligned and releasably fastened by their shaping, as can be seen for example in FIG. 4. For matching alignment, the connector elements 2, 3 have a cross-section that deviates from the circular shape, which is based here on a circular shape that has a bulge on one side.

[0071] Alternatively (or in addition) to a special shaping of the connector elements 2, 3, the correct position of the connector elements 2, 3 when joining together the torque hinge 1 can be ensured by designs of the connector elements 2, 3 with a magnetic coding or a specific arrangement of additional control contacts, which are respectively outlined in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0072] It is not shown in the figures that the cable guide K, K′ usually comprises a plurality of individual lines that serve to electrically and/or electronically connect the objects and are also referred to hereinafter as signal lines. The connector elements 2, 3 each have a contact pin P or contact section A, as the case may be, for each individual line on the respective end face 2′, 3′, such that when joining together the connector elements 2, 3, contact is made between one contact pin P and one contact section A in each case.

[0073] In order to avoid the incorrect joining together of the connector elements 2, 3 in the case of a mirror-symmetrical arrangement of the contact pins P and contact sections A, as shown in FIG. 12a, each of the connector elements 2, 3 shown has two permanent magnets S, N. In each case, a permanent magnet S with the south pole and a permanent magnet N with the north pole are arranged on the respective end face 2′, 3′ in such a manner that the north poles and south poles of the permanent magnets S, N meet when the connector elements 2, 3 are correctly joined together. Thus, the arrangement of the permanent magnets S, N permits the connection of the two connector elements 2, 3 only in the correct position in FIG. 12b, in which there is an attraction between the respective permanent magnets S, N arranged in opposite poles. In addition, the magnetic attraction secures the connection of the connector elements 2, 3. If the same poles meet when the connector elements 2, 3 are incorrectly positioned, the repulsion ensures that the connector elements 2, 3 cannot be connected.

[0074] In principle, the contact pins P may be designed as plug pins and the contact sections A may be configured as sockets. Advantageously, the contact pins P may be designed as spring contact pins, such that the contact sections A can be realized by conductive surface sections that are contacted by touching the spring-assisted contact pin.

[0075] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the connector elements 2, 3 with additional control contact pins P.sub.Steuer and control contact sections A.sub.Steuer, whose arrangement with respect to the contact pins P and contact sections A, as the case may be, determines the correct connection position. The control contact pins P.sub.Steuer and control contact sections A.sub.Steuer are connected via control lines to a disconnect device (not shown), can comprise a resistance measurement. Of the seven contact pins P and contact sections A in each case, for the purpose of clarity, only one is indexed. When the connector elements 2, 3 are correctly joined together, the contact pins P contact the contact sections A and the control pins P.sub.Steuer contact the control contact sections A.sub.Steuer. By contacting the control pins P.sub.Steuer with the control contact sections A.sub.Steuer, the individual lines or signal lines, as the case may be, to the contact pins P or contact sections A, as the case may be, are connected by the disconnect device, such that voltage is only applied to the contacts when the connector elements 2, 3 are correctly connected.

[0076] In order to further facilitate the correct joining together of the connector elements 2, 3, shaping elements F.sub.1, F.sub.2 and corresponding or complementary, as the case may be, mating shaping elements F.sub.1′, F.sub.2′ can also be provided on the end faces 2′, 3′ of the connector elements 2, 3, which are provided to abut one another. In FIG. 13, ring-shaped shaping elements F.sub.1 with a smaller diameter (dashed) are allocated to the control contact pins P and ring-shaped shaping elements F.sub.2 with a larger diameter (dotted) are allocated to the contact pins P, and ring-shaped mating shaping elements F.sub.1′ with a smaller diameter (dashed) are allocated to the control contact sections A and ring-shaped mating shaping elements F.sub.2′ with a larger diameter (dotted) are allocated to the contact sections A accordingly.

[0077] Of course, embodiments of shaping and mating shaping elements that deviate from the embodiments shown are also conceivable, as is an optional embodiment of the control contact pins and control contact sections in a shape (or mating shape, as the case may be) that deviates from a shape of the contact pins and mating shape of the contact sections.

[0078] Thereby, the control contact pins P.sub.Steuer and control contact sections A.sub.Steuer may be designed as lagging contacts with respect to the contact pins P and contact sections A, in order to avoid sparking during merging, in that the individual lines are not connected until the connector elements 2, 3 are fully connected to one another.

[0079] An additional example of ensuring that the connector elements 2, 3 are fully contacted before voltage is applied to the individual lines to prevent sparking comprises a proximity sensor H, which is connected via control lines to a disconnect device for the individual lines (not shown and arranged on one of the connector elements 2, 3. In the example of FIG. 11, a proximity sensor H can be seen on the connector element 2, which is received in the bush element 30. The proximity sensor H detects the approach of the connector element 3, which in this example is received in a connection device 9, such that the individual lines are not disconnected until contact is made. Of course, a proximity sensor can alternatively be arranged in connector element 3.

[0080] As shown by example in FIG. 1, a torque hinge 1, which provides the electrical and/or electronic connection of the objects G1, G2—here keyboard G1 and monitor G2—with an inner cable guide, provides the pivotable connection in a use arrangement (FIG. 1a), and, by subdivision into reversibly disconnectable and connectable component groups B1, B2, permits the disconnection (FIG. 1b) of the objects G1, G2 at a predetermined interface that is located here between the two bush elements 30, 40 or between the first bush element 30 and the hollow-pin element 10, as the case may be, wherein the hollow-pin element 10, of which the first section 11 can be seen, is allocated to the component group B2 with the second bush element 40. Thereby, the electrical/electronic connection is also disconnected, wherein, of the connector pairing at the interface in FIG. 1b, only the connector element 3 allocated to component group B1 with the first bush element 30 can be seen.

[0081] In FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of a torque hinge 1 is shown, wherein, for reasons of clarity, only one connected object G1 is shown. Here, the torque hinge 1 is configured with a first bush element 30 and two second bush elements 40, each of which is pivotably connected to the first bush element 30 via a pin element, wherein at least one pin element is designed as a hollow-pin element 10, through whose longitudinally axial passage opening the inner cable guide for the electrical/electronic connection of the objects extends. Unlike the example shown in FIG. 1, the interface of the torque hinge 1 of FIG. 2 is not located between the bush elements 30, 40, which are combined here with the hollow-pin element (not shown) in the second component group B2. Here, the first component group B1 has a connection device 9 designed as an adapter, which is designed for electrical and/or electronic connection to the first object G1, and the first connector element 3, which is connected to the connection device 9.

[0082] From FIGS. 4 and 5, the structure of a torque hinge 1, to which FIG. 1 also refers, with an interface T between the hollow-pin element 10 and the first bush element 30 is clear. Thereby, the first component group B1 has the first bush element 30, which is designed with a connection surface 31 for connection to an object that is not shown, a connection device 9, which is designed here as a round plug, and the first connector element 3, which is connected to the connection device 9 via a corresponding section K′ of the inner cable guide K, K′. Moreover, the seal 4, which in the use arrangement of the torque hinge 1 seals between the hollow-pin element 10 or the stop 13 designed there, as the case may be, and the first bush element 30, belongs to the first component group B1.

[0083] The first bush element 30 has corresponding receptacle recesses 30′, 30″, 31′, 34 for receiving the first section 11 of the hollow-pin element 10, the first connector element 3 and the connection device 9 along with the seal 4, as also shown in the schematic illustration in FIG. 7a. The receptacle 30′ for the first section 11 of the hollow-pin element 10 is adapted in shape and dimension to the first section 11, which in the illustrated example of FIG. 4 has a cross-section deviating from the circular shape with a flattening 16. Due to this non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section, the two component groups B1, B2 can only be connected in a manner that inherently provides the correct connection position of the connector elements 2 and 3 of the two component groups B1, B2. Sealing between the hollow-pin element 10 and the first bush element 30 is provided by the seal 4, which is arranged in a ring-shaped groove 34, see also FIG. 7a, designed in the first bush element 30 around the receptacle 30′—corresponding to the ring-shaped groove 43 around the receptacle opening 44 in the second bush element 40 in FIG. 4.

[0084] Adjacent to the receptacle 30′ is a recess 30″ for the first connector element 3, which is received in the recess 30″ in such a manner that the connector element 3 remains in the recess 30″ if it is disconnected from the second connector element 2 when the component groups B1, B2 are disconnected. For this purpose, the recess 30″ can be designed to match the shape and dimensions of the first connector element 3, such that there is a form fit, and can have additional fastening means if necessary. Adjacent to the recess 30″ is a passage opening D2 for the cable guide section K′, which supplements the cable guide section K to the inner cable guide K, K′ and extends to the connection device 9, which is arranged in a correspondingly designed receptacle recess 31′ at the connection surface 31, at which the first component group B1 is connected to the object that is not shown.

[0085] The (threaded) bolt 5, which in the use arrangement of the torque hinge 1 provides for the releasable connection of the bush element 30 to the hollow-pin element 10 by engaging the (threaded) bore 15 in the end face of the first section 11 of the hollow-pin element 10, along with the cover 6, which complements the closed housing surface of the torque hinge 1 for a desired cleanability and tightness against dust and water, are also counted as part of the first component group B1.

[0086] The second component group B2 of the torque hinge 1 in FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises, as substantial components, the hollow-pin element 10, the friction element 20, the second bush element 40 and the second connector element 2, which is arranged in a receptacle recess 14′ on the hollow-pin element 10. There, the receptacle recess 14′ is designed by a section of the passage opening D1 on an end face 14 of the first section 11 (see FIG. 5). The receptacle recess 14′ corresponds in shape and dimension to the second connector element 2, which has a non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section deviating from the circular cross-section, such that the second connector element 2 is arranged in the receptacle recess 14′ in a rotationally fixed manner. Accordingly, the connector element 3 is also designed with a non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section deviating from the circular cross-section, which necessitates a corresponding shape of the receptacle 30″ for the first connector element 3 in the first bush element 30. The receptacle recess 14′ and the receptacle 30″ are positioned so that they are opposite one another in the use arrangement, such that the connector elements 2, 3 connect when the component groups B1, B2 are joined together.

[0087] For a closed housing surface of the second bush element 40 (for closing a mounting opening not visible in FIG. 4 on the side turned away from the receptacle opening 44), a cover that is not shown (corresponding to cover 6′ in FIG. 8) can be provided, which is also counted as part of the second component group B2. The friction element 20, consisting of a friction ring 21 and a disk 23 arranged between the two seals 22, is arranged on the second section 12 of the hollow-pin element 10, which extends from the stop 13 in the opposite direction to section 11. The friction ring 21 is fastened, for example press-fitted, in the receptacle opening 44 of the second bush element 40 such that, upon rotation, a frictional torque is generated between the inner surface of the friction ring 21 and the outer surface of the second section 12 of the hollow-pin element 10. In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the friction element 20 is axially fixed by means of disk spring 7 and disk spring assembly and screw nut 8, as the case may be, which accordingly also belong to the second component group B2. The disk spring 7 ensures a constant axial contact pressure.

[0088] Examples of alternative axial fastening and sealing options are shown together on a single hollow-pin element 10 in FIG. 6. This combination of fastening and sealing options is not intended to be realized in this manner but is only intended to illustrate different known axial fastening and sealing options in a space-saving figurative manner. Of course, individual options of the exemplary fastening and sealing options shown can be used in the embodiments of the other examples, and the skilled person will also recognize useful combination options of the fastening and sealing options shown. Thus, in the illustration in FIG. 6, different examples are shown above and below the axis of rotation and to the right and left of the stop 13. For the axial fastening to the second section 12, a groove 12″ is shown (in the example, below the axis of rotation) as an alternative to the screw connection by means of the thread 12′ already mentioned (in the example, above the axis of rotation), which is provided for engagement with a pin (not shown).

[0089] For sealing the friction element 20 or the disk 23, as the case may be, against the stop 13 of the hollow-pin element 10, not only a single sealing ring can be used as seal 22 as shown in FIG. 4, but also a multi-stage seal 22 with two concentric sealing rings (in the example of FIG. 6, above the axis of rotation) arranged in receptacle grooves 13′ on the end face of the stop 13 adjacent to the section 12 can be used, or more concentric sealing rings with corresponding receptacle grooves can be provided. The example below the plane of symmetry in FIG. 6 shows as the seal 22 a sealing disk pressed against sealing ribs 13″ designed in the end face of stop 13 adjacent to section 12.

[0090] As an alternative to the arrangement of an interface sealing ring 4 between the end face of the stop 13 adjacent to the section 11 and the first bush element 30 (or, as the case may be, its end face turned towards the stop 13, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7a, FIG. 6 shows a sealing ring 4 for sealing the interface with the bush element 30, shown schematically only in sections, in a circumferential groove 14″ on the first section 11 of the hollow-pin element 10. Additionally or alternatively, one or more interface sealing rings 4 (in the example shown, two sealing rings 4) can be arranged in corresponding circumferential grooves 34′ in the receptacle recess 30′ of the first bush element 30, in order to seal the interface after the first section 11 is inserted into the receptacle recess 30′.

[0091] Due to a structural design of a torque hinge with smooth transitions sealed by seals between the individual housing components, that is, all components providing an outer surface of the torque hinge (bush elements 30, 40, disk 23, stop 13, covers 6) and their preferred design made of stainless steel or with a stainless steel surface, as the case may be, the cleaning of a torque hinge, with disinfecting agents as well, is considerably simplified. Of course, the scope of protection is not limited to this particularly preferred and advantageous embodiment of the torque hinge. Rather, the scope of protection also extends to all torque hinges with inner cable guide that do not have smooth transitions between housing components, do not have a closed housing, and do not have covers and are not made of stainless steel, as long as the torque hinge is divided into two reversibly disconnectable component groups in accordance with the claim.

[0092] FIGS. 7a and 7b show first bush elements 30 connected to the hollow-pin element 10 using releasable connection technologies, which can be used as an alternative or in addition to the connection technology shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 with a bolt 5 and a bore 15 to releasably connect the component groups to one another when transferred to the use arrangement of the torque hinge 1. In the schematic illustrations of FIGS. 7a and 7b, however, only the section of the first bush element 30 is shown, which has the receptacle 30′ for the first section 11 of the hollow-pin element 10, the receptacle 30″ for the first plug element 3 and the passage opening D2 for the cable guide section K′, which supplements the cable guide section K through the passage opening D1 in the hollow-pin element 10 when the plug elements 3, 4 are in contact to provide the inner cable guide K, K′.

[0093] In FIG. 7a, as an example of a releasable connection technology, a spring pin 5′ supported in the first bush element 30 is shown for engagement with a groove 11′ designed in the first section 11 of the hollow-pin element 10. Since the spring pin 5′ automatically engages when the first section 11 is inserted into the receptacle 30′, the connection can be made very quickly and easily. To release the latching engagement, a retraction mechanism (not shown) can be provided to retract the spring pin 5′ from the groove 11′, such that the hollow-pin element 10 with the first section 11 can be disconnected from the first bush element 30. Alternatively, spring pin 5′ and the groove 11′ can be shaped, for example with a chamfer, such that when sufficient tension is applied to the hollow-pin element 10, the spring pin 5′ is pushed out of the groove 11′ following the chamfer until the latching engagement is released.

[0094] An additional example of a releasable connection technology of the first bush element 30 to the hollow-pin element 10 is shown in FIG. 7b, in which substantially the regions of the first bush element 30 and the hollow-pin element 10 above the axis of rotation are shown, showing the pair of magnetic elements 5″ selected from magnetic or magnetizable inlets or materials and arranged such that an attractive force exists between the magnetic elements 5′. Thereby, the first magnetic element 5′ is arranged on an end face of the stop 13 adjacent to the first section 11, and the second magnetic element 5′ is arranged on a corresponding surface on the first bush element 30 adjacent to the receptacle 30′. The shape, number and arrangement of the magnetic elements is not limited, except that the respective pairs of magnetic elements are positioned correspondingly and, if both magnetic elements are made of magnetic material or magnets, as the case may be, face one another with different poles.

[0095] From FIGS. 8 and 9, the structure of a torque hinge 1, as indicated in the example of FIG. 2, with an interface T between the first bush element 30 and a connection device 9 configured as an adapter, is clear. Thereby, the first component group B1 allocated to the first object G1 has the connection device 9 configured as an adapter and the first connector element 3 received in a connection bush 9′ of the connection device 9 for connection to the cable guide section K′. The connection device 9 is designed to be connected to the object G1, which has an electrical/electronic interface (not shown), by mounting the connection device 9 on the object G1 with the cable guide section K′. In this example, the seal 4 provided for sealing between the component groups B1, B2 at the interface T is allocated to the first component group B1, and is received in a circumferential groove of the connection device 9.

[0096] Alternative sealing solutions can also be considered here. Alternatively or in addition to a seal 4 received in a groove designed circumferentially on the connection device 9, one or more circumferential grooves for receiving one or more interface seals 4 may be designed in a recess 31′ designed in the first bush element 30 for receiving the connection device 9, comparable to the interface sealing solutions described in connection with FIG. 6. Alternatively, a flat seal (not shown) can be inserted between the connection device 9 and the bush element 30 without a circumferential receptacle groove being provided for it on the connection device 9 or in the recess 31′.

[0097] Likewise, it is possible to use an outer molded seal 4′ to seal the interface between the first bush element 30 and the connection device 9, allocated to the first object G1, as outlined in FIG. 11. There, it can also be seen that the connection surface 31 of the first bush element 30 is shaped in a manner corresponding to the contour of the first object G1 in the region of the allocated connection device 9.

[0098] The connection device 9 in the example illustrated with FIG. 8 has a non-circular shape with the rounded rectangular cross-section and is aligned upon mounting to object G1, such that the second component group B2 can be connected in the correct connection position to the torque hinge 1 for a pivotable and electrical/electronic connection to the object (not shown) allocated to the second component group B2.

[0099] In this example, the second component group B2 has the second bush element 40, the hollow-pin element 10, the friction element 20 along with the first bush element 30 and the second connector element 2, which is received here in a receptacle 31″ in the first bush element 30, which corresponds in shape and dimension to the second connector element 2. The receptacle 31″ for the second connector element 2 extends from an adapter recess 31′, which is designed in the first bush element 30 in a connection surface 31 provided to abut the first object G1 for receiving the connection device 9. Thereby, the adapter recess 31′ is designed to releasably receive the connection device 9 and corresponds in shape and dimensions to the connection device 9. Thereby, the receptacle 31″ for the second connector element 2 is positioned with respect to the adapter recess 31′ in such a manner that the receptacle 31″ faces the connection bush 9′ of the connection device 9 if the connection device 9 is received in the adapter recess 31′ for connecting the component groups B1, B2. In this manner, in this embodiment as well, the inner cable guide K, K′ connecting the objects through the torque hinge 1 is established by the interconnected connector elements 2, 3, wherein the section K′ extends through the first component group B1 complementing the cable guide section K extending through the second component group B2.

[0100] Additional components, such as a connection element 42 in the connection surface 41 for connecting the second object, covers 6′ for creating a closed housing surface and fastening means for axially fixing the friction element 20, such as disk spring 7 and screw nut 8, accordingly also belong to the second component group B2.

[0101] Deviating from the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the hollow-pin element 10 in the example of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 does not have a disk-shaped stop and a deviating friction element 20. Here, the hollow-pin element 10 with the longitudinally axial passage opening D1 has a first section 11, which is designed as a head section 17 with a non-circular, here hexagonal cross-section as a screw head. In this embodiment, the head section 17 is not fixed against rotation in the bush element 30; rather, the hollow-pin element 11 is designed as a free-running pin that is pressed on both sides to generate the frictional torque with the friction element 20. Upon mounting, the hollow-pin element 11 inserted through the mounting opening 33 of the first bush element 30 is clamped against the nut 8 by means of retaining engagement on the screw head 17, wherein the disk spring 7 (or the disk spring assembly, as the case may be) provides a constant contact pressure as an axial clamping device, which acts on the friction element 20 that is arranged on the second section 12 of the hollow-pin element 10 in the region between the bush elements 30, 40. In alternative embodiments, the axial fixing can also be provided by a connecting pin engaging in a groove instead of a nut, for example. From the passage opening D1 of the hollow-pin element 10, the guide of the cable section K extends to the second connector element 2 received in the receptacle 31″.

[0102] In this example illustrated with FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the friction element 20 arranged on the second section 12 of the hollow-pin element 10 in the region between the bush elements 30, 40 has a bearing ring 21′, which here extends into the receptacle openings 33′, 44 of the bush elements 30, 40 and receives the friction disk 23′ therebetween, which here is preferably made of a PTFE material or a comparable material with which, advantageously, the static friction corresponds to the sliding friction, such that no friction losses occur. Upon rotation, the axial contact pressure provided by the disk spring 7 generates a frictional torque between the friction disk 23 and the adjacent surfaces of the bush elements 30, 40 or the seals 22 arranged therebetween, as the case may be, which are each arranged in a corresponding sealing groove on the respective bush element 30, 40 (ring-shaped groove 43 on the second bush element 40 and ring-shaped groove 34 on the first bush element 30).

[0103] Of course, the different hollow-pin element and friction element variants described in connection with FIGS. 4 and 8 are not limited to the respective embodiment of the interface position. Thus, a torque hinge with the interface between the hollow-pin element and the first bush element can also be designed with an alternative friction element (friction disk and bearing ring as in FIG. 8 or another friction element from the prior art). Conversely, a torque hinge can also be designed with the interface between the first bush element and a connection device having a hollow-pin element fixed against rotation in a bush element, or the friction element 20 described in connection with FIG. 4 (or other friction element known in the art), or both.

[0104] FIG. 14 illustrates the pivot axis provided by the torque hinge 1 through the schematic illustration of two bush elements 30, 40 connected (via a hollow-pin element not shown). The further development of a device indicated in FIG. 15 provides two pivot axes designed perpendicularly to one another, in that two torque hinges 1 are “connected in series,” as it were, wherein only a second bush element 40 is provided, which is connected on both sides to a first bush element 30 in each case via a hollow-pin element. This can also be considered as a special form of a device comprising two objects G1, G2, which are pivotally and electrically/electronically connected via at least one torque hinge 1, wherein one of the first bush elements 30 is defined as one of the objects G1, G2.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0105] 1 Torque hinge [0106] 2, 3, 2′, 3′ Connector elements, end faces [0107] 4, 4′ (Interface) seal, molded seal [0108] 5, 5′, 5″ Bolt, spring pin, pair of magnets [0109] 6 Cover [0110] 7, 8 Disk spring(assembly), nut [0111] 9, 9′ Connection device, connection bush [0112] 10 Hollow-pin element [0113] 11, 11′ First section, detent recess [0114] 12, 12′, 12″ Second section, thread, groove [0115] 13, 13′, 13″ Stop, ring groove, rib [0116] 14, 14′, 14″ End face, receptacle recess, groove [0117] 15 Bore [0118] 16 Flattening [0119] 17 Head section [0120] D1 Passage opening [0121] 20 Friction element [0122] 21, 22, 23 Friction ring, seal, disk [0123] 21′, 23′ Slide/bearing ring, friction disk [0124] 30 Second bush element [0125] 30′, 30″ Receptacles of first section of first connector element [0126] 31 Connection surface [0127] 31′, 31″ Receptacles of adapter, first connector element [0128] 32 Bore [0129] 33, 33′ Opening, passage opening [0130] 34, 34′ Receptacle groove [0131] 40 Second bush element [0132] 41 Connection surface [0133] 42 Connection element [0134] 43 Ring groove [0135] 44 Receptacle opening [0136] B1, B2 First component group, second component group [0137] T Interface [0138] K, K′ Cable guide [0139] G1, G2 Object [0140] D1, D2 Passage openings of hollow-pin element, first bush element [0141] P, A Contact pin, contact connection [0142] N, S Permanent magnet north pole, south pole [0143] H Proximity sensor [0144] F1, F2 Shaping elements