Rotational hinge damping mechanism

• US 6,195,431 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Wireless Technology, LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Middleton, David Desmond
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiang, Jack
• Application Number:
  US09/133,358
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 379/433, 379/428, 455/575, 455/90, 16/53, 16/58, 16/52, 16/54, 16/68
• US Class Current: 379/433.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge

Abstract

A rotational hinge for use with a flip cover moveable between a first position and a second position in response to a biasing force is disclosed. The rotational hinge includes a housing integrated with a flip cover and capable of rotational movement about a central axis between the first and second positions. A torsional spring mechanism integrated with the housing converts a biasing force along the central axis of the housing into rotational movement about the central axis of the housing when moved from the first to the second positions. A damping mechanism connected to the torsional spring mechanism damps the biasing force along the central axis of the housing.

Claims

1. A rotational hinge for use with a flip cover moveable between an open position and a closed position with respect to a body, comprising:

a housing integrated with the flip cover and capable of rotational movement about a central axis between the open position and the closed position;

means integrated with the housing for converting a linear biasing force along the central axis of the housing into rotational movement about the central axis for the housing from the open position to the closed position, wherein the biasing force biases the flip cover to the open position; and

a damping mechanism for damping the biasing force along the central axis of the housing provided by the means for converting.

2. The rotational hinge of claim 1, wherein the means for converting further comprises:

a follower integrated with the body;

a cam rotatably engaging the follower, the cam linearly moveable from a first position on the central axis of the housing to a second position on the central axis of the housing in conjunction with movement of the housing between the open position and the closed position; and

a spring for biasing the cam to the first position on the central axis of the housing.

3. The rotational hinge of claim 1, wherein the housing further defines a fluid chamber for containing a viscous fluid and the damping mechanism further comprises:

a piston connected to the means for converting, the piston moveable through the fluid chamber along the central axis of the housing, wherein movement of the piston through the viscous fluid of the fluid chamber damps movement of the piston and the attached means for converting.

4. The rotational hinge of claim 3, wherein the piston includes:

a plate perpendicular to the central axis of the housing, the plate positioned such that an opening exists between edges of the plate and walls of the fluid chamber; and

at least one member for interconnecting the plate to the means for converting.

5. The rotational hinge of claim 3, wherein the piston further includes:

a plate perpendicular to the central axis of the housing, the plate defining at least one hole therein to enable the viscous fluid to pass therethrough; and

at least one member for interconnecting the plate to the means for converting.

6. The rotational hinge of claim 1, wherein the damping mechanism further comprises:

a second housing insertable within the housing defining a fluid chamber for containing a viscous fluid; and

a piston connected to the means for converting, the piston moveable through the fluid chamber along the central axis of the housing, wherein movement of the piston through the viscous fluid of the fluid chamber damps movement of the piston and the attached means for converting.

7. A rotational hinge for use with a flip cover on an electronic device, the flip cover moveable between an open position and a closed position with respect to a body, comprising:

a housing integrated with the flip cover and capable of rotational movement about a central axis between the open position and the closed position, wherein the housing defines a single fluid chamber for containing a viscous fluid;

a follower integrated with the body;

a cam rotatably engaging the follower, the cam linearly moveable from a first position on the central axis of the housing to a second position on the central axis of the housing in conjunction with rotational movement of the housing between the open position and the closed position;

a spring biasing the cam to the open position of the housing; and

a piston connected to the cam and moveable through the viscous fluid along the central axis of the housing, wherein movement of the piston through the viscous fluid damps movement of the piston and the attached cam, said piston comprising;

a plate enclosed within the single fluid chamber dividing the single fluid chamber into a first portion and a second portion, the plate having a first side and a second side, wherein the viscous fluid may pass between the first portion and the second portion of the single fluid chamber, as the plate moves within the chamber; and

a stem extending perpendicularly from and connected to the second side of the plate.

8. The rotational hinge of claim 7, wherein the piston includes:

a plate perpendicular to the central axis of the housing, the plate positioned such that an opening exists between edges of the plate and walls of the fluid chamber; and

at least one member for interconnecting the plate to the means for converting.

9. The rotational hinge of claim 7, wherein the piston further includes:

a plate perpendicular to the central axis of the housing, the plate defining at least one hole therein to enable the viscous fluid to pass therethrough; and

at least one member for interconnecting the plate to the means for converting.

10. The rotational hinge of claim 7, further including an end plate for enclosing the fluid chamber.

11. The rotation hinge of claim 7 further including:

a rib extending from the cam; and

wherein the housing further defines a slot for receiving the rib.

15. The damping mechanism of claim 11, wherein the housing may be inserted within a second housing associated with the flip portion.

16. The damping mechanism of claim 11 further including an end cap for enclosing the fluid chamber.

12. A damping mechanism for use with a flip portion moveable between an open position and a closed position with respect to a body in response to a torsional spring mechanism associated with the flip portion, comprising:

a housing defining a single fluid chamber, having a central axis, for containing a viscous fluid; and

a piston connected to the torsional spring mechanism and moveable through the fluid chamber along the central axis of the housing, wherein movement of the piston through the viscous fluid of the fluid chamber damps movement of the piston and the attached torsional spring mechanism, said piston comprising;

a plate enclosed within the single fluid chamber dividing the single fluid chamber

into a first portion and a second portion, the plate having a first side and a second side, wherein the viscous fluid may pass between the first portion and the second portion of the single fluid chamber as the plate moves within the chamber; and

a stem extending perpendicularly from and connected to the second side of the plate.

13. The rotational hinge of claim 12, wherein the piston includes:

a plate perpendicular to the central axis of the housing, the plate positioned such that an opening exists between edges of the plate and walls of the fluid chamber; and

at least one member for interconnecting the plate to the means for converting.

14. The rotational hinge of claim 12, wherein the piston further includes:

a plate perpendicular to the central axis of the housing, the plate defining at least one hole therein to enable the viscous fluid to pass therethrough; and

at least one member for interconnecting the plate to the means for converting.