HINGE CONFIGURATION FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20150378399A1
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Marshall Grinstead
• Inventors: Berry, Stephen D., Montoya, Tommy S., Aoki, Russell S., Grinstead, Marshall, Khouri, Gabriel G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,785,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• 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 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling

Abstract

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). The electronic device may also include a hinge assembly to secure a first housing of the electronic device to a second housing. The hinge assembly is to allow for electrical signals to pass between the first housing and the second housing and for a rotation of the first housing in relation to the second housing. The hinge assembly may include a plurality of discs to receive a plurality of segments of the accessory as the hinge assembly engages to secure the first housing to the second housing.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first housing; and

a hinge assembly on the first housing to removably secure the first housing to a second housing, wherein the hinge assembly is to allow a rotation of the first housing in relation to the second housing, and wherein the hinge assembly includes;

at least one disc to receive at least one segment of the second housing as the hinge assembly is engaged to secure the first housing to the second housing; and

at least one electrical connection that electrically connects the first housing and the second housing.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly includes a disc-toothed wheel to receive the at least one segment of the second housing.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one segment is to provide an alignment function as the hinge assembly is to engage the second housing.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical connection is a conductive ring.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the second housing includes a spring contact that connects to the conductive ring and electrically connect the first housing and the second housing.

6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the second housing includes a pin contact that connects to the conductive ring and electrically connect the first housing and the second housing.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes a portion of a ferrous housing to reduce one or more stray magnetic fields.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes one or more rare earth magnets to attract one or more discs of the electronic device.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one segment includes a center tooth to mate with a toothed disc of the electronic device to resist rotation between the first housing and the second housing.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first housing includes a touch display.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes attachment teeth to mechanically and electrically couple to the first housing.

12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing is a keyboard.

13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first housing is a standalone table.

14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly is to provide a range of rotation to the first housing relative to the second housing, the range of rotation extending from 0°

in a closed position to 150°

in a substantially open position.

15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein power and data are to flow between the first housing and the second housing.

16. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes an arced cavity to receive the hinge assembly, which is substantially cylindrically shaped.

17. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein power and electrical signals are to pass through a plurality of discs via contacts associated with the second housing.

18. A method, comprising:

receiving at least one segment of an accessory at an electronic device that includes at least one disc provided as part of a hinge assembly; and

engaging the hinge assembly with the accessory to secure a portion of the electronic device to the accessory, wherein the hinge assembly is to allow for electrical signals between the accessory and the electronic device and to allow for a rotation of the portion in relation to the accessory.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the hinge assembly includes a disc-toothed wheel to receive the at least one segment of the accessory.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the hinge assembly includes at least one conductive ring to carry the electrical signals between the accessory and the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the accessory includes a pin contact that connects to a conductive ring in the hinge assembly to carry the electrical signals between the accessory and the electronic device.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein power and data are to flow between the accessory and the portion.

23. A system, comprising:

a hinge assembly to selectively secure a portion of the electronic device to an accessory, wherein the hinge assembly is to allow a rotation of the portion in relation to the accessory, and wherein the hinge assembly includes;

a sprocket; and

at least one conductive ring to allow electrical signals to pass between the electronic device and the accessory.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the conductive ring is a ferromagnetic ring.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the accessory includes a spring contact that connects to the ferromagnetic ring and electrically connects the electronic device and the accessory.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the accessory includes a pin contact that connects to the conductive ring and electrically connects the electronic device and the accessory.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the accessory includes a portion of a ferrous housing to reduce one or more stray magnetic fields.