Hinge configuration for an electronic device

• US 9,785,198 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Grinstead, Marshall, Berry, Stephen D., Khouri, Gabriel G., Montoya, Tommy S., Aoki, Russell S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US14/316,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20150378399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 36167929
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• 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: 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

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). The electronic device may also include a hinge assembly to secure a first housing of the electronic device to a second housing. The hinge assembly is to allow for electrical signals to pass between the first housing and the second housing and for a rotation of the first housing in relation to the second housing. The hinge assembly may include a plurality of discs to receive a plurality of segments of the accessory as the hinge assembly engages to secure the first housing to the second housing.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first housing; and

a hinge assembly on the first housing to removably secure the first housing to a second housing, wherein the hinge assembly is to allow a rotation of the first housing in relation to the second housing, and wherein the hinge assembly includes;

at least one disc to receive at least one segment of the second housing as the hinge assembly is engaged to secure the first housing to the second housing;

at least one conductive ring that electrically connects to a corresponding second housing contact spring on the second housing, wherein the conductive ring and the second housing contact spring allow for a rotatable electric connection between the first housing and the second housing;

a first spring contact that is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive ring;

a lock housing, wherein the lock housing includes a first connecting contact electrically coupled to the first spring contact; and

a first housing connection electrically coupled to the first connecting contact and to the first housing such that an electrical signal can pass from the second housing, through the second housing contact spring, through the at least one conductive ring, through the first spring contact, through the first connecting contact, through the first housing connection, and to the first housing.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly includes a disc-toothed wheel to receive the at least one segment of the second housing.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one segment is to provide an alignment function as the hinge assembly is to engage the second housing.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive ring is a ferromagnetic ring.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the spring contact electrically couples to the ferromagnetic ring.

6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the second housing includes two contact springs that electronically couple to two ferromagnetic magnetic rings and rotatably electrically connect the first housing and the second housing.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes a portion of a ferrous housing to reduce one or more stray magnetic fields.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes one or more rare earth magnets to attract one or more discs of the electronic device.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one segment includes a center tooth to mate with a toothed disc of the electronic device to resist rotation between the first housing and the second housing.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first housing includes a touch display.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes attachment teeth to mechanically and electrically couple to the first housing.

12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing is a keyboard.

13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first housing is a standalone table.

14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly is to provide a range of rotation to the first housing relative to the second housing, the range of rotation extending from 0°

in a closed position to 150°

in a substantially open position.

15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein power and data are to flow between the first housing and the second housing.

16. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes an arced cavity to receive the hinge assembly, which is substantially cylindrically shaped.

17. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein power and electrical signals are to pass through the at least one conductive ring and the corresponding contact spring.

18. A method, comprising:

receiving at least one segment of an accessory at an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes;

at least one disc;

at least one conductive ring provided as part of a hinge assembly;

a first spring contact that is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive ring;

a lock housing, wherein the lock housing includes a first connecting contact electrically coupled to the first spring contact; and

a first housing connection electrically coupled to the first connecting contact and to at least one electronic element in the electronic device; and

engaging the hinge assembly with the accessory to secure a portion of the electronic device to the accessory, wherein the accessory includes an accessory contact spring that corresponds to the at least one conductive ring and allows for a rotatable electric connection between the at least one conductive ring and the accessory contact spring, wherein the hinge assembly is to allow for electrical signals between the accessory and the electronic device such that an electrical signal can pass from the accessory, through the accessory contact spring, through the at least one conductive ring, through the first spring contact, through the first connecting contact, through the first housing connection, and to the at least one electronic element and to allow for a rotation of the portion in relation to the accessory.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the hinge assembly includes a disc-toothed wheel to receive the at least one segment of the accessory.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one conductive ring is a ferromagnetic ring to carry the electrical signals between the accessory and the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the accessory includes two contact springs that connect to a two ferromagnetic magnetic rings in the hinge assembly to carry the electrical signals between the accessory and the electronic device.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein power and data are to flow between the accessory and the electronic device.

23. A system, comprising:

a hinge assembly to selectively secure a portion of the electronic device to an accessory, wherein the hinge assembly is to allow a rotation of the electronic device in relation to the accessory, and wherein the hinge assembly includes;

a sprocket;

at least one conductive ring that electrically connects to a corresponding accessory contact spring on the accessory, wherein the conductive ring and the accessory contact spring allow for a rotatable electric connection to allow electrical signals to pass between the electronic device and the accessory;

a first spring contact that is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive ring; and

a lock housing, wherein the lock housing includes a first connecting contact electrically coupled to the first spring contact; and

a first housing connection electrically coupled to the first connecting contact and to an electronic element in the electronic device such that an electrical signal can pass from the accessory, through the accessory contact spring, through the at least one conductive ring, through the first spring contact, through the first connecting contact, through the first housing connection, and to the electronic element.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one conductive ring is two ferromagnetic rings.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the accessory includes two spring contacts that connect to the ferromagnetic rings and electrically connects the electronic device and the accessory.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the accessory includes a portion of a ferrous housing to reduce one or more stray magnetic fields.