Hinge for electronic apparatus and electronic apparatus equipped with hinge

• US 6,081,969 A
• Filed: 09/23/1998
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tanahashi, Makoto, Asawa, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah, Chuck Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/159,745
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 16/337, 16/340, 16/385, 16/223, 165/77, 165/86, 165/89, 165/104.33, 361/681, 361/687, 361/707, 361/706, 361/711, 361/712
• US Class Current: 16/337
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/0081 for transmitting energy, e.g. electrical cable routing
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/08 Friction devices between relatively-movable hinge parts E05D7/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/123 with a torsion bar
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• 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 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683

Abstract

Disclosed is a hinge for electronic apparatus which is capable of effecting heat dissipation without having to increase the size of the electronic apparatus. Hinges 1A and 1B for electronic apparatus are provided for the purpose of foldably connecting a first portion 2 and a second portion 3 of an electronic apparatus. Each hinge includes a stationary member 11 which has a strength maintaining portion 11a for maintaining mechanical strength and a heat conducting portion 12 for effecting heat conduction and which is provided on the first portion 2, a movable member 17 which has a strength maintaining portion 17a for maintaining mechanical strength and a heat conducting portion 13 for effecting heat conduction and which is provided on the second portion 3, and a joint portion 30 for joining the stationary member 11a and the movable member 17 to each other while effecting heat conduction between the heat conducting portion 11a of the stationary member and the heat conducting portion 13 of the movable member.

Claims

1. A hinge for electronic apparatus provided for the purpose of foldably joining first and second portions of an electronic apparatus to each other, the hinge comprising:

a stationary member which includes a strength maintaining portion formed of a material of a high mechanical strength for maintaining mechanical strength and a heat conducting portion formed of a heat conductible material for effecting heat conduction and which is joined to said first portion,

a movable member movable relative to said stationary member which includes a strength maintaining portion formed of a material of a high mechanical strength for maintaining mechanical strength and a heat conducting portion formed of a heat conductible material for effecting heat conduction and which is joined to said second portion, and

a joint portion for joining said stationary member and said movable member to each other while actively cooperating to effect heat conduction between the heat conducting member of said stationary member and the heat conducting portion of said movable member.

2. A hinge for electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said joint portion effects heat conduction between the heat conducting portion of said stationary member and the heat conducting portion of said movable member by bringing the heat conducting portion of said stationary member and the heat conducting portion of said movable member into direct contact with each other.

3. A hinge for electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said joint portion effects heat conduction between the heat conducting portion of said stationary member and the heat conducting portion of said movable member through a separate heat conductive member.

4. A hinge for electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said joint portion effects heat conduction between the heat conduction portion of said stationary member and the heat conducting portion of said movable member by positioning the heat conducting portion of the stationary member to be in close contact with the heat conducting portion of said movable member.

5. A hinge for electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting portion of said stationary member and the heat conducting portion of said movable member are positioned on the side contributing to heat dissipation.

6. A hinge for electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting portion of said stationary member and the heat conducting portion of said movable member are good conductors of electricity.

7. A hinge for electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first portion is a main body of a portable electronic apparatus and wherein said second portion is a display portion that can be folded on the main body.

8. An electronic apparatus having a hinge which includes first and second portions, said second portion being foldable with respect to said first portion, said electronic apparatus comprising:

a stationary member which includes a strength maintaining portion formed of a material of high mechanical strength for maintaining mechanical strength and a heat conducting portion formed of a heat conductible material for effecting heat conduction and which is joined to said first portion,

a movable member movable relative to said stationary member which includes a strength maintaining portion formed of a material of a high mechanical strength for maintaining mechanical strength and a heat conducting portion formed of a heat conductible material for effecting heat conduction and which is joined to said second portion, and

a joint portion for joining said secondary member and the movable member to each other while actively cooperating to effect heat conduction between the heat conducting portion of said stationary member and the heat conducting portion of said movable member.

9. An electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first portion is a main body of a portable electronic apparatus and wherein said second portion is a display portion that can be folded on said main body.