MICRO-HINGE FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20150277506A1
• Filed: 03/29/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Cheah, Bok Eng, Loo, Howe Yin, Lim, Min Suet, Kong, Jackson Chung Peng, Oh, Poh Tat
• Application Number:
  US14/229,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20150277506A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/0081 for transmitting energy, e.g. electrical cable routing
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/06 with two or more pins E05D7/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• 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: G06F 1/3218 of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, which includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular example implementation of the electronic device may include a low profile hinge design that includes a micro-hinge. The micro-hinge can couple a first element to a second element and can include a first attachment that couples to the first element, a second attachment that couples to the second element, and a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment. The low profile hinge can further include a plurality of micro-hinges and a plurality of support rods.

Claims

1. A low profile hinge, comprising:

a micro-hinge that couples a first element to a second element, wherein the micro-hinge includes;

a first attachment that couples to the first element;

a second attachment that couples to the second element; and

a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment.

2. The low profile hinge of claim 1, wherein the micro-hinge can rotate about three hundred and sixty degrees.

3. The low profile hinge of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of micro-hinges; and

a plurality of support rods.

4. The low profile hinge of claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible covering.

5. The low profile hinge of claim 1, wherein the low profile hinge extends about the length of the first element and the second element.

6. The low profile hinge of claim 1, wherein the micro-hinge further includes an electrical conduit.

7. The low profile hinge of claim 1, wherein the first element is a base portion of an electronic device.

8. The low profile hinge of claim 1, wherein the second element is a display portion of an electronic device.

9. An electronic device comprising:

a base portion;

a display portion; and

a micro-hinge that couples the base portion to the display portion, wherein the micro-hinge includes;

a first attachment that couples to the base portion;

a second attachment that couples to the display portion; and

a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the micro-hinge can rotate about three hundred and sixty degrees.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising:

a plurality of micro-hinges; and

a plurality of support rods.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the micro-hinge further includes a flexible covering.

13. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the micro-hinge extends about the length of the base portion and the display portion.

14. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the micro-hinge further includes an electrical conduit.

15. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the micro-hinge is a low profile hinge.

16. A method, comprising:

rotating a display portion around a base portion using a low profile micro-hinge, wherein the low profile micro-hinge includes;

a first attachment that couples to the base portion;

a second attachment that couples to the display portion; and

a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of micro-hinges and a plurality of support rods are used to rotate the display portion around the base portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the low profile micro-hinge further includes a flexible covering.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the low profile micro-hinge further includes an electrical conduit.

20. A system, comprising:

means for rotating a display portion around a base portion using a low profile micro-hinge, wherein the low profile micro-hinge includes;

a first attachment that couples to the base portion;

a second attachment that couples to the display portion; and

a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment.

21. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a micro-hinge that couples a first element to a second element, wherein the micro-hinge includes;

a first attachment that couples to the first element;

a second attachment that couples to the second element; and

a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the micro-hinge can rotate three hundred and sixty degrees.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of micro-hinges and a plurality of support rods.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the micro-hinge further includes an electrical conduit.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the first element is a base portion and the second element is a display portion.