Portable computer having a sealed hinge clutch

• US 6,249,426 B1
• Filed: 08/30/1999
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Liao, Reynold, OʼNeal, Sean P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/385,182
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/681, 361/682, 364/708.1, 345/905, 248/184.1, 248/917, 248/923, 405/30, 163/40, 163/35, 163/34, 163/41, 163/42, 163/25, 163/27, 403/119, 403/120, 403/121, 403/146
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/082 with substantially radial friction, e.g. cylindrical friction surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/24 Hinge making or assembling

Abstract

A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a chassis including a base and a top connected to the base by at least one hinge;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

an input coupled to provide input into the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller;

a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor;

the hinge including a first hinge body having a bore formed therein;

a second hinge body including an elongated shaft pivotally mounted in the bore; and

the shaft having a plurality of grooves formed therein, at least one of the grooves having a friction member mounted therein, and another of the grooves having a resilient seal member mounted therein, the seal member and the friction member being in friction contact with the bore, and the seal member having a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore.

2. The computer of claim 1 wherein the base and the top are formed of a polymeric material.

3. The computer of claim 2 further comprising a lubricant disposed within the bore of the first hinge body.

4. The computer of claim 1 wherein the seal member is an O-ring.

5. The computer of claim 1 wherein the grooves are formed on an outer surface of the shaft.

6. The computer of claim 1 wherein the first hinge body member includes a tube portion having a closed end and an open end, the bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the tube portion, and wherein the seal member is positioned adjacent to the open end of the bore.

7. The computer of claim 6 wherein the friction member is positioned between the seal member and the closed end of the tube portion.

8. The computer of claim 7 wherein the friction member is formed of a low carbon steel.