Portable computer having a sealed hinge clutch

• US 6,304,433 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2001
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• 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): Tolin, Gerald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/825,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20010010621A1
• Time in Patent Office: 196 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/682, 361/681, 345/905, 248/9, 248/7, 248/184.1, 248/917, 248/923, 405/30, 163/25, 163/27, 163/41, 163/42, 163/34, 163/35, 163/40, 403/119-121, 403/146, 29/11
• 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: 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
• 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 method of limiting the migration of a lubricant from within a hinge assembly of a computer, comprising the steps of:

forming a bore in a first hinge body;

dispensing a prescribed quantity of the lubricant into the bore;

forming a plurality of grooves on an outer surface of a shaft of a second hinge body;

mounting a seal member in one of the grooves;

mounting a friction member in another one of the grooves;

inserting the shaft into the bore of the second hinge body whereby the seal member is resiliently compressed between the groove and an inner surface of the bore; and

engaging the seal member and the friction member in friction contact with the bore, 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 method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of mounting the friction member includes the step of mounting a plurality of friction members in a plurality of the grooves.