HINGE HAVING A TENSIONABLE SPRING ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge (10) comprising a swivellable hinge part (12), a stationary hinge part (14) and a tensionable spring element (34), wherein the stationary hinge part (14) is designed with a first bearing (16) as well as a second bearing (18), wherein the bearings (16, 18) have swivel axes (S1, S2) that are offset to one another. According to the invention, the swivellable hinge part (12) is mounted on the stationary hinge part (14) via the first bearing (16) such that it can swivel about a swivel axis (S1), and the tensionable spring element (34) is arranged on the stationary hinge part (14) via the second bearing (18).

Claims

1. Hinge (10) comprising a pivotable hinge part (12), a fixed hinge part (14) and a tensionable spring element (34), wherein the fixed hinge part (14) has a first bearing (16) as well as a second bearing (18) formed therein, with the pivot axes (S.sub.1, S.sub.2) of the bearings (16, 18) being offset relative to one another, characterized in that the pivotable hinge part (12) is mounted on the fixed hinge part (14) via the first bearing (16) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (S.sub.1) and the tensionable spring element (34) is mounted on the fixed hinge part (14) via the second bearing (18).

2. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensionable spring element (34) is designed as a torsion coil spring (40).

3. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensionable spring element (34) is designed as a flat spiral spring (68).

4. Hinge according to claims 1, characterized in that a portion of the pivotable hinge part (12) located on the first bearing (16) is formed as a bearing bushing (30).

5. Hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that part of the bearing bushing (30) of the pivotable hinge part (12) has a toothing (47) formed thereon.

6. Hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that a component (46) in the form of a gear wheel is arranged on the second bearing (18).

7. Hinge according to claim 6 characterized in that the pivotable hinge part (12) and the tensionable spring element (34) are connected to one another by means of a mechanical power transmission, with the toothing (47) of the pivotable hinge part (12) meshing with the component (46) formed as a gear wheel on the second bearing (18).

8. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensionable spring element (34) is operatively connected to an adjustable torque adjustment unit (42).

9. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed hinge part (14) has an adjustable stop (54) formed thereon.

10. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed hinge part (14) is designed to form a housing (62).

11. Hinge according to claim 8, characterized in that the tensionable spring element (34), the mechanical power transmission, the adjustable stop (54) and the adjustable torque adjustment unit (42) are all arranged in the housing (62).

12. Hinge according to claims 2, characterized in that a portion of the pivotable hinge part (12) located on the first bearing (16) is formed as a bearing bushing (30).

13. Hinge according to claims 3, characterized in that a portion of the pivotable hinge part (12) located on the first bearing (16) is formed as a bearing bushing (30).

14. Hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that the tensionable spring element (34) is operatively connected to an adjustable torque adjustment unit (42).

15. Hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that the tensionable spring element (34) is operatively connected to an adjustable torque adjustment unit (42).

16. Hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that the tensionable spring element (34) is operatively connected to an adjustable torque adjustment unit (42).

17. Hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixed hinge part (14) has an adjustable stop (54) formed thereon.

18. Hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that the fixed hinge part (14) has an adjustable stop (54) formed thereon.

19. Hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixed hinge part (14) is designed to form a housing (62).

20. Hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that the fixed hinge part (14) is designed to form a housing (62).

Description

[0023] Throughout the description, the claims and the drawings, those terms and associated reference signs are used as are indicated in the list of reference signs below. In the drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the hinge according to the invention, in open and closed positions thereof;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a top view of the mechanical components of the hinge;

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating the individual components of the hinge

[0027] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the tensionable spring element and of the power transmission to the pivotable hinge part;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a view of the open housing;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a top view of the mechanical components of the hinge having a flat spiral spring; and

[0030] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the hinge according to the invention having a flat spiral spring.

[0031] The hinge 10 comprises a pivotable hinge part 12 and a fixed hinge part 14 which has two bearings 16, 18 formed in it.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge 10 moves automatically from a closed position 20 to an open position 22 by means of spring tension.

[0033] According to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the hinge 10 is designed to have a first bearing 16 and a second bearing 18 on the fixed hinge part 14. In the first bearing 16, the pivotable hinge part 12 is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis S.sub.1. The pivot axis S.sub.1 defines the opening movement B of the flap 24. In the present case, the pivotable part 12 is designed as a hinge arm 26 with a hinge leaf 28 that can be connected to the flap 24. Preferably, on the end facing away from the hinge leaf 28, the hinge arm 26 has a bearing bushing 30 that can be positively connected to a bearing journal 32 formed on the first bearing 16. The pivotable hinge part 12 and the fixed hinge part 14 are thus connected by means of a plain bearing. On the second bearing 18, the fixed hinge part 14 is formed into a hollow cylinder 36 in which an axle tube 38 is arranged. The second bearing 18 rotates about the pivot axis S.sub.2, which is arranged at a distance from, and offset relative to, the pivot axis S.sub.1 of the first bearing 16.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the tensionable spring element 34 is designed as a torsion spiral spring 40. The coils of the torsion spiral spring 40 are arranged in the form of a cylindrical spiral and the ends of the spring are bent in the manner of legs. This makes for easy mounting and tensioning of the torsion coil spring 40. The torsion coil spring 40 is disposed within the axle tube 38. At the end remote from the fixed hinge part 14, a torque adjustment unit 42 can be positively connected to the torsion coil spring 40 and the axle tube 38. A pin passes through the end of the spring, thus securing the connection of the torsion coil spring 40 to the axle tube 38 and the torque adjustment unit 42. The torque adjustment unit 42 is adapted to be closed with a cover 44. Mounted on the second bearing 18 is a component 46 in the form of a gear wheel. It is adapted to be positively connected to the axle tube 38. One of the ends of the tensionable torsion coil spring 40 mounted in the axle tube 38 is anchored in the component 46 by means of a pin. The respective spring ends of the torsion coil spring 40 are thus anchored in different components. The required torque of the torsion coil spring 40 can be adjusted by means of a so-called worm gear 48. The worm gear 48 comprises the torque adjustment unit 42 in the form of a worm wheel and an adjusting screw 50. The axis of the adjusting screw 50 and the axis of the torque adjustment unit 42 are offset by 90 relative to one another, with the shaft of the adjusting screw 50 meshing with the toothing of the torque adjustment unit 42. If the adjusting screw 50 is turned, this operatively causes the torque adjustment unit 42 to rotate, which in turn also rotates the torsion coil spring 40, thus allowing the latter to be tensioned.

[0035] The torque of the torsion coil spring 40 is indirectly transmitted to the pivotable hinge part 12 by means of a power transmission, which is designed as a gear drive in the present case. The toothed component 46 arranged on the second bearing 18 is adapted to mesh positively and without slippage with the toothing 47 of the bearing bushing 30, thus enabling the automatic spring force-induced opening of the hinge 10. The torsion coil spring 40 can be pretensioned to the required torque. Pretensioning of the spring is accomplished by appropriately positioning the toothing 47 of the bearing bushing 30 on the gear wheel of the component 46 mounted on the second bearing 18 and by turning the torque adjustment unit 42 by means of the adjusting screw 50. A damper 52 is positively mounted on the pivotable hinge part 12 and allows a controlled opening movement B of the pivotable hinged part 12, thus ensuring that the flap 24 swings up smoothly and not too quickly.

[0036] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, a stop 54 for the pivotable hinge part 12 is provided on the fixed hinge part 14. The stop 54 comprises a stop screw 56 with a damping spring 58 arranged on it. The stop screw 56 can be used for the fine adjustment of the open position 22 of the hinge 10. Preferably, a nut 60 is positively arranged above the spring 58 so as to prevent the stop screw 56 from rotating of its own accord.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the fixed hinge part 14 is designed as a housing 62 with a cover 64. The housing 62 protects the mechanical components of the hinge 10 from damage, holds the individual components of the overall mechanism of the hinge 10 together and secures the individual components in place by means of projections 66. It is possible to make the housing 62 of plastic, and to connect the cover 64 to the housing 62 in a positive, force-locking or material-locking manner. The adjusting screw 50 and the stop screw 56 are accessible through openings in the housing 62. The compact design of the hinge 10 ensures that it can be placed in the side wall between two luggage boxes, with the hollow cylinder 36 being horizontally located in the region of the ceiling plate of the luggage box. It can be integrated either within or above the ceiling plate.

[0038] The second embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 essentially corresponds to the first embodiment of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. In comparison to the first embodiment, the spring element 34 of this embodiment is designed as a flat spiral spring 68. It is arranged on the second bearing 18, together with a component 46 designed as a driving wheel 70. A portion of the driving wheel 70 is designed as a gear wheel and is loosely mounted on the second bearing 18, with the radially outer end of the flat spiral spring 68 being secured in the driving wheel 70. A torque adjustment unit 42 is arranged on the flat spiral spring 68 and the radially inner end of the flat spiral spring 68 is connected to the torque adjustment unit 42, for example in a groove. The pivotable hinge part 12 arranged on the first bearing 16 is designed as a bearing bushing 30 with a toothing 47. The toothing 47 meshes positively with the toothed portion of the driving wheel 70. The flat spiral spring 68 can be pretensioned to the required torque by appropriately positioning of the toothing 47 of the bearing bushing 30 on the gear wheel of the driving wheel 70 and by turning the torque adjustment unit 42 by means of an adjusting screw 50 whose shaft meshes with the toothed portion of the torque adjustment unit 42. In the present embodiment, the flat spiral spring 68 acts clockwise on the driving wheel 70 which moves the hinge arm 26 counterclockwise to the open position 22.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0039] 10 hinge [0040] 12 pivotable hinge part [0041] 14 fixed hinge part [0042] 16 first bearing [0043] 18 second bearing [0044] 20 closed position [0045] 22 opened position [0046] 24 flap [0047] 26 hinge arm [0048] 28 hinge leaf [0049] 30 bearing bushing [0050] 32 bearing journal [0051] 34 tensionable spring element [0052] 36 hollow cylinder [0053] 38 axle tube [0054] 40 torsion spiral spring [0055] 42 torque adjustment unit [0056] 44 cover [0057] 46 component with gear wheel [0058] 47 toothing [0059] 48 worm gear [0060] 50 adjusting screw [0061] 52 damper [0062] 54 stop [0063] 56 stop screw [0064] 58 spring [0065] 60 nut [0066] 62 housing [0067] 64 cover of housing [0068] 66 projections [0069] 68 flat spiral spring [0070] 70 driving wheel [0071] S pivot axis [0072] B opening movement