Automatic closing door hinge, automatic closing door mechanism, and hinge of automatic closing door mechanism

• US 20040068833A1
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kayoko Yamaguchi, Masako Sawa
• Original Assignee: Kayoko Yamaguchi, Masako Sawa
• Inventors: Sawa, Kazu
• Granted Patent: US 6,928,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/60
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/02 with pneumatic piston brakes rotary type E05F3/14
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/20 in hinges
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/638 Cams; Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/696 Screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

An automatic closing door hinge, an automatic closing door mechanism, and a hinge of the automatic closing door mechanism, for smoothly opening a door or closing, with damping, a door. For example, an automatic door closing mechanism has a hinge having a pair of wing plates one of which has a cylinder in a circular cylindrical form received therein a piston, the other wing plate fixing an upper portion of an operation rod engaged with the piston, the piston being to be advanced and retracted through the operation rod associatively with a rotation of the other wing plate. The automatic closing door mechanism comprises a cam formed on the piston. An engaging part provided in the operation rod and movable in the cam. The cam and the engaging part engaging between the piston and the operation rod. A sphere arranged in a recess formed in an outer surface of the piston. A recess groove formed lengthwise in the cylinder. The sphere rolls along the recess groove, to allow the piston to slide within the cylinder. Impact upon door closing is to be damped by an action of air cushioning within the cylinder due to a return movement of the piston.

Claims

1. An automatic closing door mechanism having a hinge having a pair of wing plates one of which has a cylinder in a circular cylindrical form received therein a piston, the other wing plate fixing an upper portion of an operation rod engaged with the piston, the piston being to be advanced and retracted through the operation rod associatively with a rotation of the other wing plate, the automatic closing door mechanism comprising:

a cam formed on the piston;

an engaging part provided in the operation rod and movable in the cam, the cam and the engaging part engaging between the piston and the operation rod;

a sphere arranged in a recess formed in an outer surface of the piston; and

a recess groove formed lengthwise in the cylinder;

whereby the sphere rolls along the recess groove, to allow the piston to slide within the cylinder, impact upon door closing is to be damped by an action of air cushioning within the cylinder due to a return movement of the piston.

2. An automatic closing door mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the engaging part has a roller to rotate along the cam.

3. An automatic closing door mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the engaging part has a sphere arranged for rolling in a recess provided in an outer surface of the operation rod.

4. An automatic closing door mechanism according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising another hinge having a piston received in a cylinder in a circular cylindrical form provided in one of a pair of wing plates, the other wing plate fixing an upper portion of an operation rod engaged with the piston, the piston being to be advanced and retracted through the operation rod associatively with a rotation of the other wing plate, the other hinge having a compression coiled spring arranged within the cylinder and to be compressed by an operation of the piston during door opening, the other wing plate being to be rotated in association with a return movement of the piston due to a return force of the compression coiled spring.

6. An automatic closing door mechanism according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein a flowing-out speed of air from the cylinder is lower than a flowing-in speed of air to the cylinder, wherein provided is valve means capable of adjusting the flowing-out speed of air.

5. An automatic closing door mechanism having a hinge having a pair of wing plates one of which has a cylinder in a circular cylindrical form received therein a piston, the other wing plate fixing an upper portion of an operation rod engaged with the piston, the piston being to be advanced and retracted through the operation rod associatively with a rotation of the other wing plate, the automatic closing door mechanism comprising:

a female thread formed on the piston;

a male thread formed on the operation rod, the female and male threads engaging between the piston and the operation rod;

a sphere arranged in a recess formed in an outer surface of the piston;

a recess groove formed lengthwise in the cylinder, the sphere rolling along the recess groove, to allow the piston to slide within the cylinder; and

a compression coiled spring arranged within the cylinder and to be compressed by an operation of the piston during door opening, the other wing plate being rotated in a direction toward door closing associatively with a return movement of the piston due to a restoration force of the compression coiled spring;

whereby impact upon door closing is to be damped by an action of air cushioning within the cylinder due to a return movement of the piston.

7. An automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function having a hinge comprising:

a pair of wing plates;

a piston arranged within a cylinder provided in one of the wing plates;

an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion by the other wing plate, a substantially lower portion of the operation rod being arranged within the cylinder;

a cam groove having a slant region formed in an outer periphery of the substantially lower portion of the operation rod; and

a sphere arranged for rolling in a predetermined position of the piston and protruding in an inner periphery;

whereby the piston advances and retracts correspondingly to a movement of the sphere relative to the slant region of the cam groove, impact being to be damped by an action of air cushioning within the cylinder due to a return movement of the piston during door closing.

8. An automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function according to claim 7, further comprising a spring arranged within the cylinder of the hinge and to be compressed by an operation of the piston during door opening, the other wing plate being to be rotated in a direction toward door closing associatively with a return movement of the piston due to a restoration force of the spring.

9. An automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function according to claim 7, further comprising another hinge having a pair of wing plates, a piston arranged within a cylinder provided in one of the wing plates, an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion by the other wing plate, the piston being engaged directly or indirectly with a substantially lower portion of the operation rod, the piston being to be advanced and retracted through the operation rod associatively with a rotation of the other wing plate, wherein a spring is arranged within the cylinder of the other hinge and to be compressed by an operation of the piston during door opening, the other wing plate being rotated in a direction toward door closing associatively with a return movement of the piston due to a restoration force of the spring.

10. An automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the hinge or the other hinge is formed with a recess groove lengthwise in the cylinder, a second sphere being arranged for rolling in a predetermined position of the piston and protruding in an outer periphery, the second sphere rolling along the recess groove whereby the piston slides within the cylinder.

11. An automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function according to claim 10, wherein the hinge or the other hinge is formed with a second recess groove connected to the recess groove circumferentially in a predetermined position of the cylinder, the piston being placed into a halt state in advancement and retraction by an engagement of the second sphere with the second recess groove.

12. An automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein the hinge or the other hinge has a slant in a slant region of the cam groove gradually moderating toward a direction of movement of the piston.

13. An automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein the hinge or the other hinge has one end of the cam groove and a vicinity thereof formed substantially horizontal, a door opened state being to be maintained by positioning the sphere in a substantially horizontal region.

14. An automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the hinge or the other hinge has two sets or more of the cam grooves and the spheres engaging the cam grooves.

15. A hinge for use in an automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function, the hinge comprising:

a pair of wing plates;

a piston arranged within a cylinder provided in one of the wing plates;

an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion thereof by the other wing plate, a substantially lower portion of the operation rod being arranged within the cylinder;

a cam groove having a slant region formed in an outer periphery of the substantially lower portion of the operation rod;

a sphere arranged for rolling in a predetermined position of the piston and protruding in an inner periphery;

whereby the piston advances and retracts correspondingly to a movement of the sphere relative to the slant region of the cam groove, impact being to be damped by an action of air cushioning within the cylinder due to a return movement of the piston during door closing.

16. A hinge for use in an automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function due to air cushioning action, the hinge comprising:

a pair of wing plates;

a piston arranged within a cylinder provided in one of the wing plates;

an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion by the other wing plate, the piston being engaged directly or indirectly with a substantially lower portion of the operation rod, the piston being to be advanced and retracted through the operation rod associatively with a rotation of the other wing plate; and

a sphere arranged for rolling in a predetermined position of the piston and protruding in an outer periphery;

whereby the piston slides within the cylinder by rolling the sphere along a recess groove formed lengthwise in the cylinder.

17. A hinge according to claim 16, further comprising a spring arranged within the cylinder and to be compressed by an operation of the piston during door opening, the other wing plate being to be rotated in a direction toward door closing associatively with a return movement of the piston due to a restoration force of the spring, wherein a second recess groove is formed connected to the recess groove circumferentially in a predetermined position of the cylinder, the piston being to be placed into a halt state in advancement and retraction by an engagement of the sphere with the second recess groove.

18. A hinge for in an automatic closing door mechanism having a damping function due to air cushioning action, the hinge comprising:

a pair of wing plates;

a piston arranged within a cylinder provided in one of the wing plates;

an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion by the other wing plate, the piston being engaged directly or indirectly with a substantially lower portion of the operation rod, rotation of the other wing plate and advancement and retraction of the piston being associated through the operation rod; and

wherein the cylinder has a cross sectional form, having at least one protrusions protruding from a circle.

19. A hinge according to claim 18, wherein at least one protrusions are provided along a lengthwise direction in the cylinder, a sphere arranged for rolling in a predetermined position of the piston and protruding in an outer periphery, the piston being to be slid within the cylinder by rolling the sphere along at least one of the protrusions.

20. A movement transfer mechanism comprising:

a rod;

a cam groove having a slant region and formed in an outer periphery of the rod;

a sphere arranged for rolling in a predetermined position of a cylindrical part and protruding in an inner periphery, the rod being inserted in the cylindrical part to thereby engaging between the sphere and the cam groove;

wherein, by a movement of the sphere relative to the slant region of the cam groove, a rotation of the rod about an axis is converted into an advancement and retraction of the cylindrical part in an axial direction of rod thereby transferring a motion, or an advancement and retraction of the cylindrical part in an axial direction of rod is converted into a rotation about an axis of the rod thereby transferring a motion.

21. An automatic closing door hinge having a pair of wing plates, a cylindrical member substantially in a cylindrical form arranged within a cylinder provided in one of the wing plates, an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion by the other wing plate, the cylindrical member being engaged directly or indirectly with a substantially lower portion of the operation rod, a rotation of the other wing plate and an ascend and descend of the cylindrical member being associated through the operation rod, and a spring arranged within the cylinder and to be compressed by an ascend of the cylindrical member during door opening thereby rotating the other wing plate in a direction toward door closing associatively with a descend of the cylindrical member due to a restoration force of the spring, the automatic door closing hinge characterized in that:

an engaging part provided inward of the cylindrical member and substantially below the operation rod is directly or indirectly engaged with the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member when ascending to a predetermined height being released from the engagement with the engaging part and halts ascending, the cylindrical member positioned at the predetermined height being engaged with the engaging part whereby the cylindrical member commences descending due to a restoration force of the spring.

22. An automatic closing door hinge according to claim 21, wherein the engaging part is in a substantially columnar form or substantially bottomed cylindrical form formed with a vertically extending recess groove, the cylindrical member being formed with a recess recessed in an inner peripheral surface or penetration hole, a sphere arranged for rolling in the recess or penetration hole being to engage with the recess groove thereby engaging between the engaging part and cylindrical member.

23. An automatic closing door hinge according to claim 21, wherein the engaging part has an outer shape in plan view of a non-circular substantially columnar or substantially bottomed cylindrical form and formed with a fit groove vertically extending from a lower end in an inner surface of the cylindrical member, the engaging part and the cylindrical member is to be engaged by fitting between the engaging part and the fit groove.

24. An automatic closing door hinge according to claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein the cylindrical member can form a substantially airtight space within the cylinder, impact being to be damped during door closing by an action of air cushioning within the cylinder due to a descend of the cylindrical member.

25. An automatic closing door mechanism comprising

a first hinge structured with:

a pair of wing plates;

a cylindrical member arranged within a cylinder provided in one of the wing plates;

an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion by the other wing plate, the cylindrical member being engaged directly or indirectly with a substantially lower portion of the operation rod, a rotation of the other wing plate and an ascend and descend of the cylindrical member being associated through the operation rod;

a spring arranged within the cylinder and to be compressed by an ascend of the cylindrical member during door opening, the other wing plate being to be rotated in a direction toward door closing associatively with a descend of the cylindrical member due to a restoration force of the spring; and

an engaging part provided inward of the cylindrical member and beneath the operation rod, the engaging part being to be directly or indirectly engaged with the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member when ascended to a predetermined height being released from the engagement of the engaging part and stopped ascending, the cylindrical member positioned in a predetermined height being engaged by the engaging part whereby the cylindrical member begins descending due to a restoration force of the spring; and

a second hinge structured with;

a pair of wing plates;

a cylinder provided on one of the wing plates;

a piston arranged within the cylinder; and

an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion by the other wing plate, the piston being directly or indirectly engaged with a substantially lower portion of the operation rod;

whereby a rotation of the other wing plate and an ascend and descend of the piston is associated through the operation rod, impact being to be damped during door closing by an action of air cushioning due to a descend of the piston.

26. A hinge of an automatic closing door mechanism comprising:

a pair of wing plates;

a cylinder provided in one of the wing plates;

a piston arranged within the cylinder;

an operation rod fixed at a substantially upper portion by the other wing plate, the piston being directly or indirectly engaged with a substantially lower portion of the operation rod, a rotation of the other wing plate and an ascend and descend of the piston being associated through the operation rod, impact being to be damped during door closing by an action of air cushioning due to a descend of the piston; and

a flow-out suppressing member provided outward of a narrowest portion of a flow-out passage of the cylinder.

27. A hinge in an automatic closing door mechanism according to claim 26, wherein an O-ring is provided as the flow-out suppressing member at a gap of a screw thread screwed with the narrowest portion of the flow-out passage.