COMPUTING DEVICE WITH MAGNETIC HINGE

• US 20180224897A1
• Filed: 02/07/2017
• Published: 08/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tucker, Matthew Ian, Plunkett, Joseph David, Truong, Cuong Huy
• Granted Patent: US 10,345,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 1/06 consisting of two easily-separable parts
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/122 Gear hinges
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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

An apparatus can include a processor; memory accessible by the processor; a first housing that includes the processor and a first magnetic edge that includes a first engagement surface; and a second housing that includes an electronic component accessible by the processor and a second magnetic edge that includes a second engagement surface that engages the first engagement surface to pivotably couple the first housing and second housing.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible by the processor;

a first housing that comprises the processor and a first magnetic edge that comprises a first engagement surface; and

a second housing that comprises an electronic component accessible by the processor and a second magnetic edge that comprises a second engagement surface that engages the first engagement surface to pivotably couple the first housing and second housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first magnetic edge comprises at least one magnet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second magnetic edge comprises a ferromagnetic material.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second magnetic edge comprises at least one magnet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second magnetic edge comprises at least one magnet.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first magnetic edge comprises a ferromagnetic material.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first magnetic edge and the second magnetic edge apply a magnetic force that imparts a frictional force between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first engagement surface comprises a first geared surface, wherein the second engagement surface comprises a second geared surface and wherein the first housing and second housing are pivotable via meshing of the first geared surface and the second geared surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first magnetic edge comprises a first cylindrical magnet with a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second magnetic edge comprises a second cylindrical magnet with a second longitudinal axis and wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are parallel.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first geared surface and the second geared surface are formed of non-magnetic material.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first geared surface and the second geared surface are formed of aluminum.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first geared surface and the second geared surface are formed of plastic.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface comprise concentric circular portions.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the concentric circular portions comprise an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first engagement surface is integral to the first housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second engagement surface is integral to the second housing.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first housing and the second housing form a clamshell.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first housing comprises a keyboard and wherein the second housing comprises a display and/or wherein the first housing comprises a display and wherein the second housing comprises a keyboard.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first housing and the second housing are pivotably coupled without moving parts.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first housing and the second housing are detachable and reattachable via the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface.