PORTABLE DEVICE AND MOBILE PHONE WITH DOUBLE HINGE TORSION BAR

• US 20140287804A1
• Filed: 06/06/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bohn, David D., O'Brien, Paul M., Fruhauf, Christopher Bramley
• Granted Patent: US 9,069,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0218 The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/022 The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

In embodiments of a double hinge torsion bar, a portable device includes a first housing integrated with a display device, and a second housing movably coupled to the first housing. Double hinges attach to the first and second housings of the portable device, and the double hinges are operable to open and close the first and second housings relative to each other. A torsion bar movably couples the double hinges to open and close at approximately a same timing rate, which can prevent the double hinges from binding when the first and second housings are opened and closed relative to each other.

Claims

1. A portable device, comprising:

a first housing integrated with a display device;

a second housing movably coupled to the first housing;

double hinges configured for attachment to the first and second housings, and operable to open and close the first and second housings relative to each other; and

a torsion bar configured to movably couple the double hinges to open and close at approximately a same timing rate.

2. The portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the torsion bar is further configured to prevent the double hinges from binding when the first and second housings are opened and closed relative to each other.

3. The portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the double hinges each include a set of double hinge cams, and wherein the double hinge cams comprise axial cams or radial cams.

4. The portable device as recited in claim 3, wherein the double hinges each include a hinge link configured to couple the set of double hinge cams, and wherein the torsion bar is further configured to movably couple the hinge links of the double hinges.

5. The portable device as recited in claim 4, wherein the torsion bar is further configured as a pivot point through the hinge links of the double hinges for one of the double hinge cams in the respective sets of double hinge cams.

6. The portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the double hinges are operable with a first actuation and a second actuation to sequence opening the first and second housings, and further operable to reverse sequence closing the first and second housings.

7. The portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the torsion bar is further configured to couple the double hinges external relative to the first and second housings of the portable device, or internal relative to the first and second housings of the portable device.

8. A method, comprising:

coupling double hinges together with a torsion bar, the double hinges attached to a first housing of a portable device and attached to a second housing of the portable device, the double hinges operable to open and close the first and second housings relative to each other; and

operating the double hinges to open and close the double hinges at approximately a same timing rate in response to an applied torque.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising preventing the double hinges from binding when the first and second housings of the portable device are opened and closed relative to each other.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein:

the double hinges each include a set of double hinge cams and a hinge link that couples the set of double hinge cams; and

the torsion bar movably couples the hinge links of the double hinges.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising pivoting through the hinge links of the double hinges for one of the double hinge cams in the respective sets of double hinge cams.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein double hinge cams of a double hinge are operable for a first actuation to open the first housing of the portable device before the second housing, and are further operable for a second actuation to close the first housing of the portable device before the second housing.

13. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

sequencing to open the first housing of the portable device before the second housing with the double hinges coupled by the torsion bar to open together; and

reverse-sequencing to close the first housing of the portable device before the second housing with the double hinges coupled by the torsion bar to close together.

14. A mobile phone, comprising:

a first housing integrated with a display device;

a second housing movably coupled to the first housing;

double hinges configured for attachment to the first and second housings, and operable to open and close the first and second housings relative to each other; and

a torsion bar configured to movably couple the double hinges to open and close at approximately a same timing rate.

15. The mobile phone as recited in claim 14, wherein the torsion bar is further configured to prevent the double hinges from binding when the first and second housings are opened and closed relative to each other.

16. The mobile phone as recited in claim 14, wherein the double hinges each include a set of double hinge cams, and wherein the double hinge cams comprise axial cams or radial cams.

17. The mobile phone as recited in claim 16, wherein the double hinges each include a hinge link configured to couple the set of double hinge cams, and wherein the torsion bar is further configured to movably couple the hinge links of the double hinges.

18. The mobile phone as recited in claim 17, wherein the torsion bar is further configured as a pivot point through the hinge links of the double hinges for one of the double hinge cams in the respective sets of double hinge cams.

19. The mobile phone as recited in claim 14, wherein the double hinges are operable with a first actuation and a second actuation to sequence opening the first and second housings, and further operable to reverse sequence closing the first and second housings.

20. The mobile phone as recited in claim 14, wherein the torsion bar is further configured to couple the double hinges external relative to the first and second housings of the portable device, or internal relative to the first and second housings of the portable device.