BACKGROUND

[0001] A hinge may allow for movement of objects attached to the hinge. In some examples, a hinge may facilitate opening and closing of a door panel or other object. In some cases, a door panel may be located on a printing device. A hinge may allow the door panel to open to permit access to a space behind the door panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.

[0003] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating an example of a hinge;

[0004] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the hinge;

[0005] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the hinge in a closed position;

[0006] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the hinge in an open position;

[0007] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the hinge in an open position;

[0008] Figure 6 is a side view illustrating an example of the hinge in a closed position;

[0009] Figure 7 is a side view illustrating an example of the hinge in an open position; [0010] Figure 8A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a door panel in a closed position; and

[0011] Figure 8B is a perspective view illustrating an example of the door panel in an open position.

[0012] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover the drawings provide examples and/or implementations in accordance with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In some examples, a hinge may be used to facilitate movement of a door panel. A hinge may include a number of components to allow for movement of objects connected to the hinge. In one example, a hinge may include two leaves that rotate about a pin. In this approach (referred to as a straight hinge), panels attached to the hinge may rotate, but are otherwise constrained. In some examples, this single degree of motion may be insufficient. For instance, straight hinges that pivot on a single axis permit circular motion but do not allow for translation of the axis of rotation of a door panel. Furthermore, straight hinges do not permit the door panel to move outward as it rotates.

[0014] Examples are described herein of a hinge that includes multiple linkages to produce complex motion of a door panel. In some examples, the hinge may connect a door panel and a base panel. As described herein, the door panel is assumed to move and the base panel is assumed to be stationary. Flowever, in other examples, the door panel may be stationary and the base panel may move. In yet other examples, both the door panel and the base panel may move.

[0015] In some examples, the door panel may have a shape that is deep on the top and shallow on the bottom where it attaches to the hinge. For instance, the door panel may be a panel that provides access to components within a printing device. In this case, hinge described herein may change the axis of rotation as the door panel opens from a closed position so the upper portion of the door panel may clear the panel above it and also clear the base panel later in the rotation. The door panel may also move outward in a manner that it would not rub the lower base panel. Additionally, when in an open position the door panel may have a near flat profile with respect to the base panel to provide for complete access.

[0016] In some examples, the described hinge opens freely yet provides a bias (e.g., force) to counteract the weight of the door panel so the door panel does not slam open. For instance, the hinge may include a bias spring to bias the hinge to a closed position to counteract the weight (e.g., drop velocity) of the door panel as the hinge moves to the open position. The bias spring may apply a force to keep the door panel in the closed position when the door panel is closed. The hinge with the bias spring also allows the door panel to open and close with minimal axial twist of the door panel and exerts a force to keep the door panel square with respect to the base panel.

[0017] In an example, the hinge may include features such that the linkages of the hinge cannot be pulled away from each other and create a disparity for how far the door panel can be pulled away from the base panel.

[0018] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating an example of a hinge 102. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the hinge 102. Figures 1 and 2 will be described jointly.

[0019] The hinge 102 includes a base component 104, a first linkage 124 and a second linkage 140. The base component 104 may connect to a base panel 170. In some implementations, the base panel 170 may be a component of a printing device or other device. It should be noted that to aid in understanding the motion of the second linkage 140, the first linkage 124 is not depicted in Figure 2. Flowever, for Figure 2, it is assumed that the first linkage 124 is connected to the base component 104 and the second linkage 140 as described herein. [0020] In some examples, the base component 104 may include a mount surface 122 to contact a base panel 170. The base component 104 may include a base panel mount recess 123. The base panel 170 may include a mounting feature (not shown) that is to interface with the base panel mount recess 123. For example, the base panel mounting feature may project within the base panel mount recess 123 when the base panel 170 is attached to the base component 104.

[0021] In some examples, the base component 104 may include a screw mount to connect to the base panel 170. An example of the screw mount is depicted in Figure 5. The screw mount may allow the base component 104 to connect to the base panel 170 from a back side of the base panel 170, which facilitates a clean appearance on the front surface of the base panel 170.

[0022] The base component 104 may also include a securing feature 116 to couple to the first linkage 124. In some examples, the securing feature 116 may attach to a shaft component 132 of the first linkage 124. When assembled, the securing feature 116 and the shaft component 132 may form a first rotation axis 126. The shaft component 132 of the first linkage 124 may rotate (e.g., pivot) within the securing feature 116.

[0023] In some examples, the securing feature 116 may be implemented as a channel or cradle that accepts and retains the shaft component 132 of the first linkage 124. In the example depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the securing feature 116 includes two snap fixtures on the ends of a channel. When the shaft component 132 of the first linkage 124 is pressed into the securing feature 116, the snap fixtures hold the shaft component 132 in place while allowing the shaft component 132 to rotate. In some examples, the shaft component 132 of the first linkage 124 may be removable from the securing feature 116.

[0024] In addition, the securing feature 116 for the hinge 102 may be located at the top of the hinge 102 when the hinge 102 is in an assembled orientation. In this orientation, the downward forces on the shaft component 132 when the door panel 168 is in both an open or closed position will work to keep the shaft component 132 assembled in the securing feature 116 without inadvertently coming apart. [0025] Referring momentarily to Figure 3, in some examples, the first linkage 124 may include a first arm 128 and a second arm 130 coupled to the shaft component 132. For example, the first arm 128 may attach to a first end of the shaft component 132 and the second arm 130 may attach to the other end of the shaft component 132. The first linkage 124 may also be referred to as a clevis or hinge clevis.

[0026] In an implementation, the first arm 128 and the second arm 130 may include a bore (e.g., hole) to receive the shaft component 132. In some examples, the first arm 128 and the second arm 130 may be bonded (e.g., glued, welded, molded) to the shaft component 132. In other examples, the first arm 128 and the second arm 130 may be held in place on the shaft component 132 from friction from a press fitting. In yet other examples, mechanical fasteners may be used to attach the first arm 128 and the second arm 130 to the shaft component 132.

[0027] A second linkage 140 may be coupled to the first linkage 124 at a second rotation axis 142. For example, an end of the first arm 128 and the second arm 130 opposite the shaft component 132 may form the second rotation axis 142. In an implementation, the first arm 128 of the first linkage 124 may include a first bore 134 (as seen in Figures 4 and 5). The second arm 130 of the first linkage 124 may include a second bore 136. The second linkage 140 may include a first shaft 150 to couple to the first bore 134. The second linkage 140 may also include a second shaft 152 to couple to the second bore 136. The first shaft 150 and the second shaft 152 may rotate within the first bore 134 and the second bore 136, respectively. The second linkage 140 may be referred to as a pivot or hinge pivot.

[0028] Referring again the Figures 1 and 2, the second linkage 140 may include a central body 156. The first shaft 150 may be coupled to a first side of the central body 156. The second shaft 152 may be coupled to a second side (referred to as side component 158) of the central body 156. In some examples, the first and second sides of the central body 156 may form a U-shaped channel to accommodate (e.g., sized to extend beyond) the sides of the base component 104. [0029] The second linkage 140 may connect to the door panel 168. For example, the second linkage 140 may include a screw mount 148 to accept a screw or other mechanical fastener. The door panel 168 may include a mounting feature (not shown) located on a back surface. The mounting feature may interface with door mount guides 160 of the second linkage 140. A screw or other mechanical fastener may pass through the screw mount 148 to attach to the mounting feature of the door panel 168.

[0030] It should be noted that the screw mount 148 of the second linkage 140 may be oriented laterally with regard to the screw mount of the base component 104. For example, the screw mount 148 may be oriented perpendicular to both the second rotation axis 142 and perpendicular to the door panel 168. This may facilitate mounting a thin door panel 168 to the second linkage 140.

[0031] The second linkage 140 may include a first follower component 144 to contact a first curvilinear surface 106 of the base component 104. In some examples, the base component 104 may include a first curvilinear surface 106. The first curvilinear surface 106 may be a surface of the base component 104 that has a certain amount of curvature. The first curvilinear surface 106 may define the rotation of the second linkage 140 about the second rotation axis 142 as the first linkage 124 rotates about the first rotation axis 126.

[0032] As used herein, the term “curvilinear” refers to a form that is characterized at least in part by a curved line. Therefore, a curvilinear surface is a surface that is characterized at least in part by a curved line. In other words, a curvilinear surface may have a curved profile. It should be noted that in some examples, the curvilinear surfaces described herein may include a surface portion that is curved and a portion that is straight. In other examples, the curvilinear surfaces described herein may include curved surfaces without straight surfaces.

[0033] Because the first curvilinear surface 106 has a curved profile, the first curvilinear surface 106 may be referred to as a cam. Therefore, the first follower component 144 may be referred to as a cam follower or pivot follower. [0034] The first curvilinear surface 106 may change the axis of rotation of the door panel 168 as the door panel 168 opens from a closed position to an open position. This may allow the upper portion of the door panel 168 to clear the panel above it and also clear the base panel 170 later in the rotation. The first curvilinear surface 106 may also cause the door panel 168 to move outward in a manner that the door panel 168 does not rub the lower base panel 170. Additionally, when in an open position, the first curvilinear surface 106 may cause the door panel 168 to have a near flat profile with respect to the base panel 170 to provide for complete access.

[0035] In some examples, the first follower component 144 may be a curved portion of the second linkage 140 that is to contact the first curvilinear surface 106. The curved profile of the first follower component 144 may facilitate rotation and translation of the first follower component 144 on the first curvilinear surface 106. For example, the first follower component 144 may slide along the first curvilinear surface 106 as the second linkage 140 moves from a closed position to an open position. The second linkage 140 may pivot about the first follower component 144 as the first follower component 144 slides along the first curvilinear surface 106.

[0036] It should be noted that the second linkage 140 is shown in a partially- open position (e.g., 90-degree position) in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 6 shows the second linkage 140 in a closed position. Figure 7 shows the linkage 140 in an open position.

[0037] In an example, when a lateral force oriented away from the hinge 102 is exerted on the door panel 168, the second linkage 140 may rotate about the second rotation axis 142. The rotation of the second linkage 140 is constrained by the first follower component 144 contacting the first curvilinear surface 106. As the second linkage 140 rotates about the second rotation axis 142, the first follower component 144 slides along the first curvilinear surface 106. The first linkage 124 then rotates about the first rotation axis 126 as the first follower component 144 slides along the first curvilinear surface 106.

[0038] As observed by this discussion, the second rotation axis 142 changes as the door panel 168 opens from a closed position and back again. Therefore, the upper portion of the door panel 168 may clear a panel (not shown) above it. The door panel 168 may also clear the base panel 170 later in the rotation. The door panel 168 may also move outward in a manner that it would not rub the lower base panel 170.

[0039] In some examples, the second linkage 140 may rotate up to 170 degrees at the second rotation axis 142 from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when in an open position the door panel 168 may have a nearly flat profile with respect to the base panel 170 to provide for complete access of the space behind the door panel 168.

[0040] In some examples, the first curvilinear surface 106 may form a recessed portion 114 to accommodate the second linkage 140 in a closed position. For example, when the second linkage 140 is in a closed position, a portion of the second linkage 140 including the central body 156 may sit within the recessed portion 114. The second linkage 140 may move out of the recessed portion 114 as the second linkage 140 moves from the closed position to an open position. When in the closed position, a portion of the second linkage 140 is located in the recessed portion 114 between the base panel 170 and the base component 104.

[0041] In some examples, the second linkage 140 may include a second follower component 146 to contact a second curvilinear surface 108 of the base component 104. In an implementation, the second curvilinear surface 108 may be formed by a projection 110 extending from a side surface 112 of the base component 104. The projection 110 may include a portion of the first curvilinear surface 106 on one side and the second curvilinear surface 108 on an opposite side.

[0042] Because the second curvilinear surface 108 has a curved profile, the second curvilinear surface 108 may be referred to as a cam. Therefore, the second follower component 146 may be referred to as a cam follower or pivot follower.

[0043] The second follower component 146 of the second linkage 140 may project from the side component 158 of the second linkage 140. In some examples, the second follower component 146 may project in toward the central body 156 of the second linkage 140. In some examples, the second follower component 146 may have a curved cross section sized and positioned to allow rotation of the second linkage 140 about the second rotation axis 142 as the first follower component 144 moves along the first curvilinear surface 106.

[0044] The second follower component 146 may prevent the first follower component 144 from pulling away from the first curvilinear surface 106. In other words, the second follower component 146 may contact the second curvilinear surface 108 if a force is exerted on the second linkage 140 that would cause the second linkage to pull away from the first curvilinear surface 106.

[0045] The second curvilinear surface 108, in combination with the first curvilinear surface 106, may further define rotation of the second linkage 140 about the second rotation axis 142 as the first linkage 124 rotates about the first rotation axis 126. The first curvilinear surface 106 may constrain movement of the second linkage 140 in a first direction perpendicular to the first curvilinear surface 106. The second curvilinear surface 108 may constrain movement of the second linkage 140 in a second direction perpendicular to the second curvilinear surface 108. The hinge 102 allows the door panel 168 to move outward and then rotate, which gives a wide angle (up to approximately 170 degrees) of rotation of the door panel 168.

[0046] It should be noted that an attempt to mold the hinge 102 as an integral part of the door panel 168 and/or base panel 170 would greatly increase panel complexity. Also, the hinge 102 would not be replaceable. As described herein, the hinge 102 may be made independent of the panels 168, 170. The hinge 102 may have a low-profile attachment with screw hardware that is firm and solid and may simplify fabrication of the panels 168, 170. The lateral direction of the screw mount 148 makes it possible for the screw mount 148 to maintain a low profile with one screw and provides for a length and type of screw that is standard.

[0047] In some examples, the components of the hinge 102 may be fabricated with poka-yoke features that prevent errors in assembly. For example, different diameters on the first shaft 150 and the second shaft 152 of the second linkage 140 may allow the second linkage 140 and first linkage 124 to be assembled in only one orientation. Also the screws used for both screw mounts may be the same but the screw mounts are different so the hinge 102 cannot be installed upside down. If a hinge 102 is used in a pair of hinges, there is no right and left hand. Such features aid assembly, and eliminate improperly assembled units.

[0048] In some examples, the hinge 102, with the exception of the bias spring (described in Figure 3), may be constructed from all plastic components. However, it should be noted that other materials (e.g., metal) may be used for one or all of the hinge components.

[0049] Removal of the shaft component 132 from the securing feature 116 may aid in serviceability and/or assembly of the device to which the hinge 102 is attached. For example, this may allow the hinge 102 to be replaceable and allows the door panel 168 to be separated from the fixed lower base panel 170 without extensive disassembly. In some examples, the hinge 102 can be assembled in totality and then attached to the base panel 170 and door panel 168.

[0050] In other examples, the hinge 102 may be split at the shaft component 132 and securing feature 116. The base component 104 may be attached to the base panel 170. The second linkage 140 (with connected first linkage 124) may be attached to the door panel 168. The shaft component 132 and securing feature 116 may then be snapped together. This permits one panel to be separated from the other without removing the base panel 170 from the assembly it is mounted to, thus greatly enhancing serviceability.

[0051] Referring again to Figure 3, a perspective view illustrates an example of the hinge 102 in a closed position. In this case, the second linkage 140 sits within the recessed portion 114 formed by the first curvilinear surface 106 of the base component 104.

[0052] In some examples, the hinge 102 may include a bias spring 162 coupled to the first linkage 124 and the second linkage 140. The bias spring 162 may bias the first linkage 124 and the second linkage 140 in a closed position. For example, the bias spring 162 may be attached to the first linkage 124 and the second linkage 140 in a manner that exerts a force that tends to cause the first linkage 124 and the second linkage 140 to return to the closed position. [0053] In some examples, the bias spring 162 may be a torsion spring with a coil 164, a first leg 165 and a second leg 166. In some implementations, the bias spring 162 may be fabricated from metal. The coil 164 may be sized to be positioned on the first shaft 150 of the second linkage 140. The first leg 165 of the bias spring 162 may extend to contact the shaft component 132 of the first linkage 124. In some examples, the first shaft 150 may have different diameters, where a first diameter may be sized to accommodate the first bore 134 of the first linkage 124 and the second diameter may be sized to accommodate the inside diameter of the coil 164.

[0054] In an implementation, the second linkage 140 may include a spring restraint pocket 153 (as depicted in Figure 4). The spring restraint pocket 153 may be sized to allow the second leg 166 of the bias spring 162 to sit within the spring restraint pocket 153. The second leg 166 of the bias spring 162 may be positioned in the spring restraint pocket 153 when in an assembled configuration. The second leg 166 of the bias spring 162 may exert a rotational force on the second linkage 140 as the second linkage 140 rotates about the second rotation axis 142.

[0055] During rotation of the second linkage 140, the bias spring 162 exerts a force on both the first linkage 124 and the second linkage 140. This force tends to cause the first linkage 124 and the second linkage 140 to return to the closed position. This force of the bias spring 162 also counters weight of the door panel 168 as the second linkage 140 moves from a closed position to an open position to avoid free fall of the door panel 168. Therefore, the bias spring 162 may keep the weight of the door panel 168 from crashing down as the door panel 168 opens.

[0056] Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating an example of the hinge 102 in an open position. In this case, the second linkage 140 has rotated about the second rotation axis 142 as defined by the first curvilinear surface 106 and the second curvilinear surface 108 of the base component 104. It may be observed that when the second linkage 140 is in the open position, the second linkage 140 has exited from the recessed portion 114 formed by the first curvilinear surface 106 of the base component 104.

[0057] In some examples, the hinge 102 may include features to limit rotation of the first linkage 124. For example, the first linkage 124 may include a first rotation limit stop 138. In an open position of the first linkage 124, the first rotation limit stop 138 may contact the base component 104 at a first rotation limit stop surface 118. In an implementation, the first rotation limit stop 138 may project from the second arm 130 of the first linkage 124 perpendicular to the shaft component 132. The base component 104 may include a projecting member with the first rotation limit stop surface 118. Once the first linkage 124 rotates a certain amount, the first rotation limit stop 138 may contact the first rotation limit stop surface 118, which prevents further rotation of the first linkage 124.

[0058] In some examples, the hinge 102 may include features to limit rotation of the second linkage 140. For example, the second linkage 140 may include a second rotation limit stop 154. In an open position of the second linkage 140, the second rotation limit stop 154 may contact the base component 104 at a second rotation limit stop surface 120. In an implementation, the second rotation limit stop 154 may be a portion of the second linkage 140 located on a side of the central body 156 opposite the second follower component 146. Once the second linkage 140 rotates a certain amount, the second rotation limit stop 154 may contact the second rotation limit stop surface 120 of the base component 104, which prevents further rotation of the second linkage 140.

[0059] As depicted in Figure 5, the base component 104 may include a screw mount 121 to connect the base component 104 to the base panel 170. In an implementation, the screw mount 121 may be a surface with a bore hole to allow a screw to pass through to attach the base component 104 to the base panel 170.

[0060] Figure 6 is a side view illustrating an example of the hinge 102 in a closed position. In this example, the first follower component 144 and the second follower component 146 of the second linkage 140 are located at the bottom of the first curvilinear surface 106 and the second curvilinear surface 108 of the base component 104. In the closed position, a portion of the second linkage 140 is located within the recessed portion 114 formed by the first curvilinear surface 106. The door panel 168 is positioned in a common plane with the base panel 170.

[0061] Figure 7 is a side view illustrating an example of the hinge 102 in an open position. In this example, the first follower component 144 of the second linkage 140 is located at the top of the first curvilinear surface 106. It should be noted that in the open position, the second follower component 146 may extend beyond the second curvilinear surface 108 of the base component 104. In this case, the force of the bias spring 162 may keep the first follower component 144 from pulling away from the first curvilinear surface 106. In the open position, the second linkage 140 is located outside the recessed portion 114 formed by the first curvilinear surface 106. The door panel 168 is positioned at an acute angle with respect to the base panel 170.

[0062] Figures 8A and 8B are perspective views illustrating an example of a door panel 168 in a closed position and an open position. In Figures 8A and 8B, the door panel 168 may be a paper access door for a printing device. In Figure 8A, the door panel 168 is in a closed position. In Figure 8B, the door panel 168 is in an open position. In this example, the door panel 168 is attached to a base panel 170 with a first hinge 102a and a second hinge 102b. The hinges 102a,b may be implemented as described in Figures 1-7. It should be noted that the door hinge system may use the fixed base panel 170 just underneath the door panel 168 as the fixed support for the door panel 168.

[0063] The hinge 102 described herein allows the door panel 168 to drop down at first where the clearance on the top of the door panel 168 swings through a large arc to clear the upper panel (not shown). At the point of clearance at the top of the door panel 168, the second linkage 140 swings on the first linkage 124 in an upward direction to maximize the clearance needed for the door panel 168 on the bottom side with respect to the lower base panel 170.

[0064] The hinge 102 also uses the first curvilinear surface 106 and/or second curvilinear surface 108 to give a movement profile that is desired. The first curvilinear surface 106 and/or second curvilinear surface 108 push the door panel 168 outward to clear the base panel 170 completely and allow the door panel 168 to open at a large angle for maximum access of the door.

[0065] The second rotation limit stop 154 may allow the second linkage 140 to stop at a fixed position, although this stop 154 may not be used in some applications. The first rotation limit stop 138 may prevent the first linkage 124 from rotating farther than a certain amount, which keeps the door panel 168 from overextending in a vertical direction when in an installed configuration. It should be noted that the first rotation limit stop 138 may not prevent pulling out the door panel 168 horizontally once the second follower component 146 has cleared the top of the second curvilinear surface 108. The second follower component 146 may act as a track guide to keep the first follower component 144 (sliding on the first curvilinear surface 106) from overextending too far off the profile of the first curvilinear surface 106, which prevents the hinge 102 from getting pulled off its trajectory.

[0066] It should be noted that while various examples of systems and methods are described herein, the disclosure should not be limited to the examples. Variations of the examples described herein may be implemented within the scope of the disclosure. For example, functions, aspects, or elements of the examples described herein may be omitted or combined.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

102 hinge

104 base component 106 first curvilinear surface 108 second curvilinear surface 110 projection

112 side surface of the base component 114 recessed portion 116 securing feature 118 first rotation limit stop surface second rotation limit stop surface mount surface screw mount base panel mount recess first linkage first rotation axis first arm second arm shaft component first bore second bore first rotation limit stop second linkage second rotation axis first follower component second follower component screw mount first shaft second shaft spring restraint pocket second rotation limit stop central body side component door mount guides bias spring coil first leg second leg door panel base panel