HINGE DEVICE FOR A PORTABLE COMPUTER

• US 20160266615A1
• Filed: 03/11/2016
• Published: 09/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Uchiyama, Yoshiharu, Horiuchi, Shigehiro, Nohara, Ryota, Kinoshita, Hiroaki
• Granted Patent: US 10,571,975 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/08 Friction devices between relatively-movable hinge parts E05D7/086 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

Abstract

A hinge device capable of generating a desired rotational torque and having a reduced size of a device configuration for a portable computer is disclosed. The hinge device includes a first shaft, a first torque generation mechanism and a power transmission mechanism. The first shaft is attached to one of a first and second chassis. The first torque generation mechanism is configured to apply a rotational torque to the first shaft. The power transmission mechanism is configured to transmit rotations of the first shaft to the first torque generation mechanism.

Claims

1. A hinge device comprising:

a first shaft attached to one of a first and second chassis;

a first torque generation mechanism configured to apply a rotational torque to said first shaft, wherein said first torque generation mechanism is shifted from an extended line from an axis line of said first shaft; and

a power transmission mechanism configured to transmit a rotation of said first shaft to said first torque generation mechanism.

2. The hinge device of claim 1, wherein said first torque generation mechanism includes

a rotary body configured to receive said rotation of said first shaft to be rotationally driven through said power transmission mechanism;

and

a stationary body configured to contact said rotary body slidingly.

3. The hinge device of claim 2, wherein said power transmission mechanism includes a driving gear provided on said first shaft;

and

a driven gear provided on said rotary body, configured to be meshed with said driving gear, and having a smaller number of teeth than said number of teeth of said driving gear.

4. The hinge device of claim 3, wherein said first torque generation mechanism and said power transmission mechanism are housed in one of said two chassis.

5. The hinge device of claim 3, wherein said driving gear and said driven gear are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction intersecting a thickness direction of said chassis that houses said first torque generation mechanism and said power transmission mechanism.

6. The hinge device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second shaft configured to be fixed to said other chassis; and

a second torque generation mechanism configured to apply a rotational torque to said second shaft, wherein

said second torque generation mechanism is shifted from an extended line from an axis line of said second shaft.

7. The hinge device of claim 6, further comprising a power transmission mechanism configured to transmit rotation of said second shaft to said second torque generation mechanism.

8. The hinge device of claim 6, further comprising a hinge block rotatably supporting said first shaft and said second shaft and extending between said two chassis, wherein said first torque generation mechanism and said second torque generation mechanism are housed in said hinge block.

9. The hinge device of claim 8, wherein said first torque generation mechanism and said second torque generation mechanism are shifted from each other with respect to directions along axial directions of said first shaft and said second shaft.

10. The hinge device of claim 6, further comprising a hinge block rotatably supporting said first shaft and said second shaft and extending between said two chassis, wherein at least one of said first torque generation mechanism or said second torque generation mechanism is housed in one of said chassis.

11. A portable computer comprising:

a first and second chassis;

a hinge device coupled to said first and second chassis, wherein said hinge device includes

a first shaft attached to one of a first and second chassis;

a first torque generation mechanism configured to apply a rotational torque to said first shaft, wherein said first torque generation mechanism is shifted from an extended line from an axis line of said first shaft; and

a power transmission mechanism configured to transmit a rotation of said first shaft to said first torque generation mechanism.