INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM HOUSING LID WITH SYNCHRONIZED MOTION PROVIDED BY A FLEXIBLE COMPRESSIVE MEMBER

• US 20150016040A1
• Filed: 07/12/2013
• Published: 01/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hood, Charles D. III, Tsen, Chiu-Jung
• Granted Patent: US 9,430,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/00 Hinges or pivots of special construction used for special suspension arrangements E05D15/00; so as to be self-closing E05F1/06, E05F1/12; with means for raising wings before being turned E05F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/62 Synchronisation of transmission members
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• 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: Y10T 29/24 Hinge making or assembling

Abstract

An information handling system converts from a closed position to a tablet position by rotating a lid with a display 360 degrees about a hinge having synchronized and continuous motion. The hinge has first and second axles held in a spaced and substantially parallel orientation by a support. A flexible compressive member translates motion of each axle to the other to provide fluid movement of the lid relative to the housing. For instance, ball bearings disposed in guide formed in the support translate rotational motion between a first and second axles.

Claims

1. An information handling system comprising:

a housing;

components disposed in the housing and operable to cooperate to process information;

a lid;

a display disposed in the lid, the display interfaced with the components to present the information as visual images;

a hinge rotationally coupling the housing and lid, the hinge having a first axle coupled at an end to the housing, a second axle coupled at an end to the lid, a support holding the first and second axles distal each other and a flexible compressive member translating rotation of the first axle to the second axle.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the flexible compressive member comprises plural ball bearings communicating compressive force from the first axle to the second axle to rotate the second axle in response to rotation of the first axle.

3. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the flexible compressive member comprises a spring communicating compressive force from the first axle to the second axle to rotate the second axle in response to rotation of the first axle.

4. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the support has a first opening for accepting the first axle, a second opening for accepting the second axle, and a guide between the first and second openings to align the flexible compressive member for translating motion from the first axle to the second axle.

5. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising first and second flexible compressive members disposed in opposing sides of the support, each flexible compressive member translating rotation of each axle to the other axle.

6. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising plural hinges, each hinge rotationally coupling the housing and lid and having a first axle coupled at an end to the housing, a second axle coupled at an end to the lid, a support holding the first and second axles distal each other and a flexible compressive member translating rotation of the first axle to the second axle.

7. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising one or more friction members in communication with at least one of the first and second axles to resist rotation of the first and second axles.

8. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the hinge rotates the lid substantially 360 degrees relative to the housing.

9. A method for rotating an information handling system lid relative to a housing, the method comprising:

coupling a first axle to the lid;

coupling a second axle to the housing;

moving the lid to rotate the first axle; and

transferring rotation of the first axle to the second axle with a flexible member by pushing on the flexible member with the first axle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein transferring rotation further comprises:

coupling the first and second axles in a spaced, parallel relationship to a support; and

integrating the flexible member with the support so that the support guides application of force by pushing on the flexible member.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the flexible member comprises plural ball bearings disposed in a guide formed in the support.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the flexible member comprises a spring disposed in a guide formed in the support.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising transferring rotation of the second axle to the first axle with the flexible member by pushing on the flexible member with the second axle.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein moving the lid comprises rotating the lid from a closed position relative to the housing for substantially 360 degrees to a tablet position relative to the housing.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising resisting rotation of at least one of the first and second axles with a friction member.

16. A hinge for rotating first and second parts relative to each other, the hinge comprising:

a first axle adapted to couple to the first part;

a second axle adapted to couple to the second part;

a support holding the first and second axles in a spaced relationship; and

a flexible member integrated in the support and in communication with the first and second axles, the flexible member operable to accept a compressive force generated by rotation of the first axle and to transfer the compressive force to rotate the second axle.

17. The hinge of claim 16 wherein the flexible member is further operable to accept a compressive force generated by rotation of the second axle and to transfer the compressive force to rotate the first axle.

18. The hinge of claim 17 wherein the flexible member comprises plural ball bearings disposed in a guide formed in the support.

19. The hinge of claim 17 wherein the flexible member comprises a spring disposed in a guide formed in the support.

20. The hinge of claim 17 wherein the support has a guide formed to direct the compressive force from the first axle to the second axle.