Information handling system housing lid with synchronized motion provided by a flexible compressive member

• US 9,430,000 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2013
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hood, Charles D. III, Tsen, Chiu-Jung
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Courtney
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATEY, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/941,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20150016040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 163/02, 248/371, 29/11, 361/679.01, 361/679.27
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/00 Hinges or pivots of special construction used for special suspension arrangements E05D15/00; so as to be self-closing E05F1/06, E05F1/12; with means for raising wings before being turned E05F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/62 Synchronisation of suspension or transmission members
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• 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: Y10T 29/24 Hinge making or assembling

Abstract

An information handling system converts from a closed position to a tablet position by rotating a lid with a display 360 degrees about a hinge having synchronized and continuous motion. The hinge has first and second axles held in a spaced and substantially parallel orientation by a support. A flexible compressive member translates motion of each axle to the other to provide fluid movement of the lid relative to the housing. For instance, ball bearings disposed in guide formed in the support translate rotational motion between a first and second axles.

Claims

1. An information handling system comprising:

a housing;

components disposed in the housing to process information;

a lid;

a display disposed in the lid, the display interfaced with the components to present the information as visual images;

a hinge rotationally coupling the housing and lid, the hinge having a first axle coupled at an end to the housing, a second axle coupled at an end to the lid, a support aligned perpendicular to the first and second axles and holding the first and second axles distal each other and first and second flexible compressive members translating rotation of the first axle to the second axle and the second axle to the first axle;

wherein the support forms a first guide on a first side and a second guide on a second side, the first guide providing a path for translating force through the first flexible member in a first rotating direction, the second guide providing a path for translating force through the second flexible member in a second rotating direction, the first and second guides enclosed by first and second covers that contain the compressive members to direct compress force between the hinge axles.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the flexible compressive member comprises plural ball bearings disposed in the first and second guides communicating compressive force between the first and second axles.

3. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the flexible compressive member comprises first and second springs disposed in the first and second guides communicating compressive force between the first and second axles.

4. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the flexible compressive member comprises a fluid disposed in the first and second guides.

5. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the flexible compressive member comprises a gas disposed in the first and second guides.

6. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising plural hinges, each hinge rotationally coupling the housing and lid and having a first axle coupled at an end to the housing, a second axle coupled at an end to the lid, a support holding the first and second axles distal each other and a flexible compressive member translating rotation of the first axle to the second axle.

7. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising one or more friction members in communication with at least one of the first and second axles to resist rotation of the first and second axles.

8. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the hinge rotates the lid substantially 360 degrees relative to the housing.

9. A method for rotating an information handling system lid relative to a housing, the method comprising:

coupling a first axle to the lid;

coupling a second axle to the housing;

coupling the first and second axles in a spaced, parallel relationship to a support;

integrating a first flexible member at a first side of the support and a second flexible member at a second side of the support, the first flexible member translating force of rotation from the first axle to the second axle, the second flexible member translating force of rotation from the second axle to the first axle;

enclosing the first and second flexible members in a guide, the guide directing compressive force displaced through the flexible members by pushing on the flexible members so that the compressive force translates between the first and second axles;

moving the lid to rotate the first axle; and

transferring rotation of the first axle to the second axle with the first flexible member by pushing on the first flexible member with the first axle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the flexible member comprises plural ball bearings disposed in a first guide formed in the support first side and a plural ball bearings disposed in a second guide formed in the support second side.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the flexible member comprises a first spring disposed in a first guide formed in the support first side and a second spring disposed in a second guide formed in the support second side.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising transferring rotation of the second axle to the first axle with the flexible member by pushing on the flexible member with the second axle.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein moving the lid comprises rotating the lid from a closed position relative to the housing for substantially 360 degrees to a tablet position relative to the housing.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising resisting rotation of at least one of the first and second axles with a friction member.

15. A hinge for rotating first and second parts relative to each other, the hinge comprising:

a first axle coupled to the first part;

a second axle couple to the second part;

a support disposed perpendicular to and between the first and second axles, the support and having a first guide formed on a first side and a second guide formed on a second side, the first guide enclosed by a first cover, the second guide enclosed by a second cover, the support holding the first and second axles in a spaced relationship; and

first and second flexible members integrated in the support and in communication with the first and second axles, the flexible member operable to accept a compressive force generated by rotation of the first axle and to transfer the compressive force through the support guides to rotate the second axle, the compressive force translated through interaction of the compressive members and the enclosed guide.

16. The hinge of claim 15 wherein the flexible member comprises a fluid disposed in the first and second support guides.

17. The hinge of claim 15 wherein the flexible member comprises plural ball bearings disposed in the first and second support guides.

18. The hinge of claim 15 wherein the flexible member comprises a spring disposed in the first and second support guides.

19. The hinge of claim 15 wherein the flexible member comprises a gas disposed in the first and second support guides.