360 degree hinge assembly for electronic devices

• US 9,371,676 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2014
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Rittenhouse, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAH, CHUCK Y
• Application Number:
  US14/498,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20160090766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/08 Friction devices between relatively-movable hinge parts E05D7/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling

Abstract

In one example a hinge assembly for an electronic device comprises a linkage comprising a first bushing disposed at a first end of the linkage and a second bushing disposed at a second end of the bushing, a first shaft rotatable within the first bushing about a first axis, a second shaft rotatable within the second bushing about a second axis, and at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft, wherein the first shaft and the first bushing are threaded such that rotation of the first shaft within the first bushing induces lateral translation of the first shaft along the first axis. Other examples may be described.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for an electronic device, comprising:

a linkage comprising a first bushing disposed at a first end of the linkage and a second bushing disposed at a second end of the bushing;

a first shaft rotatable within the first bushing about a first axis extending longitudinally through the first shaft, the first shaft coupled to a first bracket;

a second shaft rotatable within the second bushing about a second axis extending longitudinally through the second shaft, the second shaft coupled to a second bracket; and

at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft and adjacent the first bracket,

wherein the first shaft and the first bushing are threaded such that rotation of the first shaft within the first bushing induces lateral translation of the first shaft along the first axis to change a force applied to the at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft, thereby changing a rotational resistance of the hinge assembly.

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage further comprises:

a first tension screw mounted on the linkage to adjust a tension between the first shaft and the first bushing.

3. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft comprises at least one of:

a compression spring;

or

a spring washer.

4. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage further comprises:

a second tension screw to adjust a tension between the second shaft and the second bushing.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage further comprises:

at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft and adjacent the second bracket.

6. The hinge assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft comprises at least one of:

a compression spring;

or

a spring washer.

7. The hinge assembly of claim 5, wherein:

lateral translation of the second shaft within the second bushing changes a force applied to the at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft, thereby changing a rotational resistance of the hinge assembly.

8. A chassis for an electronic device, comprising:

a first section and a second section; and

a hinge assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to the second section of the chassis, comprising;

a linkage comprising a first bushing disposed at a first end of the linkage and a second bushing disposed at a second end of the bushing;

a first shaft rotatable within the first bushing about a first axis extending longitudinally through the first shaft, the first shaft coupled to a first bracket;

a second shaft rotatable within the second bushing about a second axis extending longitudinally through the second shaft, the second shaft coupled to a second bracket; and

at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft and adjacent the first bracket,

wherein the first shaft and the first bushing are threaded such that rotation of the first shaft within the first bushing induces lateral translation of the first shaft along the first axis to change a force applied to the at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft, thereby changing a rotational resistance of the hinge assembly.

9. The chassis of claim 8, wherein the linkage further comprises:

a first tension screw to adjust a tension between the first shaft and the first bushing.

10. The chassis of claim 8, wherein the at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft comprises at least one of:

a compression spring;

or

a spring washer.

11. The chassis of claim 8, wherein the linkage further comprises:

a second tension screw mounted on the linkage to adjust a tension between the second shaft and the second bushing.

12. The chassis of claim 8, wherein the linkage further comprises:

at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft and adjacent the second bracket.

13. The chassis of claim 12, wherein the at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft comprises at least one of:

a compression spring;

or

a spring washer.

14. The chassis of claim 12, wherein:

lateral translation of the second shaft within the second bushing changes a force applied to the at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft, thereby changing a rotational resistance of the hinge assembly.

15. An electronic device, comprising:

a controller;

a chassis comprising a first section and a second section; and

a hinge assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to the second section of the chassis, comprising;

a linkage comprising a first bushing disposed at a first end of the linkage and a second bushing disposed at a second end of the bushing;

a first shaft rotatable within the first bushing about a first axis extending longitudinally through the first shaft, the first shaft coupled to a first bracket;

a second shaft rotatable within the second bushing about a second axis extending longitudinally through the second shaft, the second shaft coupled to a second bracket; and

at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft and adjacent the first bracket,

wherein the first shaft and the first bushing are threaded such that rotation of the first shaft within the first bushing induces lateral translation of the first shaft along the first axis to change a force applied to the at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft, thereby changing a rotational resistance of the hinge assembly.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the linkage further comprises:

a first tension screw to adjust a tension between the first shaft and the first bushing.

17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft comprises at least one of:

a compression spring;

or

a spring washer.

18. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the linkage further comprises:

a second tension screw mounted on the linkage to adjust a tension between the first shaft and the first bushing.

19. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the linkage further comprises:

at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft and adjacent the second bracket.

20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft comprises at least one of:

a compression spring;

or

a spring washer.

21. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein:

lateral translation of the second shaft within the second bushing changes a force applied to the at least one compression element disposed on the second shaft, thereby changing a rotational resistance of the hinge assembly.