Systems and methods of lateral torsional resistance in a hinge

• US 10,606,321 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2017
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Wendt, Nicholas Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Marsh, Steven M
• Application Number:
  US15/634,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20180373296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 2482911, 24829212, 24829214, 2482841, 2482861, 24828811
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/06 Devices for limiting the opening movement of hinges
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/082 with substantially radial friction, e.g. cylindrical friction surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/02 with one pin
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/06 with two or more pins E05D7/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/122 Gear hinges
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/04 Pivotal connections hinges for doors, windows or wings E05D
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683

Abstract

A hinge includes a frame, an arm, a torque element, and a link. The frame and arm are rotatably connected about a first lateral axis. The torque element is displaced from the first lateral axis in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the first lateral axis, and the torque element being rotatable about a second lateral axis. The link is connected to the arm and the torque element such that rotation of the arm about the first lateral axis translates the torque element in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A device for controlling movement of a support, the device comprising:

a frame;

an arm rotatably connected to the frame about a first lateral axis;

a torque element displaced from the first lateral axis in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the first lateral axis, the torque element being rotatable about a second lateral axis and configured to resist rotation about the second lateral axis while rotating about the second lateral axis; and

a link connected to the arm and the torque element such that rotation of the arm about the first lateral axis translates the torque element in the longitudinal direction.

2. The device of claim 1, the torque element having a first portion and a second portion, one of the first portion and second portion being fixed relative to the link.

3. The device of claim 1, the torque element having a lateral width less than a lateral width of the arm.

4. The device of claim 1, the frame having a track and the torque element being positioned in the track such that longitudinal displacement of the torque element relative to the track rotates the torque element.

5. The device of claim 4, the track and friction element being a rack and pinion.

6. The device of claim 4, the frame having a plurality of tracks.

7. The device of claim 6, the torque element having a plurality of gears connected thereto.

8. The device of claim 4, the hinge comprising a plurality of torque elements having different rotational frictions.

9. The device of claim 4, the track being at least partially curved in a vertical direction.

10. The device of claim 1, the arm having an open position and a closed position, the arm and frame having a height of less than 4.0 millimeters in the closed position.

11. The device of claim 10, the arm and the frame forming at least a 165 degree angle in the open position.

12. A hinge, the hinge comprising:

a frame;

an arm rotatably connected to the frame about a first lateral axis; and

a torque element having an axis of rotation at a second lateral axis that is parallel to and displaced from the first lateral axis, wherein the arm has an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position and the torque element does more work when the arm moves between the open position and the intermediate position than between the intermediate position and the closed position.

13. The hinge of claim 12, the torque element remaining stationary about the second lateral axis in up to 5 degrees of rotation of the arm about the first lateral axis adjacent the closed position.

14. The hinge of claim 12, the torque element rotating about the second lateral axis a greater amount than the arm rotates about the first lateral axis while moving the arm from the closed position to the open position.

15. The hinge of claim 12, the torque element providing increasing resistance to the arm the near the open position than near the closed position.

16. The hinge of claim 12, a torque curve of the hinge being continuous.

17. A method of applying torque in a hinge, the method comprising:

rotating an arm about a first lateral axis;

moving a link connected to the arm;

translating a torque element in a longitudinal direction along a track;

rotating the torque element about a second lateral axis by an interaction of the torque element and the track; and

resisting the rotation of the torque element about the second lateral axis while rotating the torque element about the second lateral axis.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein rotating the arm about the first lateral axis through 165 degrees causes the torque element to rotate through greater than 165 degrees.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein a rotational rate of the arm is not constant relative to a torque element rotational rate.