IP Library Granted Patent US 9,696,754
Granted Patent B2
US 9,696,754 · App. 14/225,933 · Granted Jul 4, 2017

Hinge having multiple degrees of freedom

Inventors: Russell S. Aoki (Tacoma, WA); Jeff Ku (Taipei, TW); Sheng-Chao Lin (Taipei, TW)
Assignee: Intel Corporation
G06F1/162G06F1/1681G06F1/1616Y10T16/545Y10T16/5472Y10T29/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,696,754
App. No.
14/225,933
Granted
Jul 4, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Techniques for forming a hinge are described herein. The hinge is to couple a first housing of a computing device and a second housing of the computing device. The hinge is to cause the first housing to have three degrees of freedom in movement from the second housing.

Claims (48)

1. An apparatus, comprising a hinge to couple a first housing of a computing device and a second housing of the computing device, the hinge to provide at least three degrees of freedom between the first housing and the second housing, the at least three degrees of freedom comprising:

rotational movement of the first housing around a first axis parallel to a long axis of the second housing, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to a second axis extending lengthwise at a center of a connecting component;

linear movement along the second axis perpendicular to the first axis wherein the second axis extends lengthwise at the center of the connecting component of the hinge connecting the first housing and the second housing; and

rotational movement of the first housing around the second axis extending lengthwise at the center of the connecting component,

wherein the second housing comprises a chamfered edge, wherein rotational movement of the first housing around the second axis extending lengthwise at the center of the connecting component initiates the linear movement when an edge of the first housing engages with the chamfered edge during initial rotational movement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second housings to house a display of the computing device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a spring to provide resistance against the linear movement.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , the hinge comprising:

a first component to be disposed within the first housing, the first housing being rotatable around the first component;

a second component to be disposed within the second housing; and

a third component to connect the first component and the second component.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:

a protruding rounded edge of the first housing of the computing device; and

a depression of the second housing of the computing device to receive the protruding rounded edge.

6. A system, comprising:

a first housing of a computing device;

a second housing of the computing device; and

a hinge to couple the first housing to the second housing of the computing device, the hinge to provide at least three degrees of freedom between the first housing and the second housing, the at least three degrees of freedom comprising:

rotational movement of the first housing around a first axis parallel to a long axis of the second housing, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to a second axis extending lengthwise at a center of a connecting component;

linear movement along the second axis perpendicular to the first axis wherein the second axis extends lengthwise at the center of the connecting component of the hinge connecting the first housing and the second housing; and

rotational movement of the first housing around the second axis extending lengthwise at the center of the connecting component,

wherein the second housing comprises a chamfered edge, wherein rotational movement of the first housing around the second axis extending lengthwise at the center of the connecting component initiates the linear movement when an edge of the first housing engages with the chamfered edge during initial rotational movement.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second housings to hold a display of the computing device.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second housings to house a processor of the computing device.

9. The system of claim 6 , comprising a spring to provide resistance against the linear movement.

10. The system of claim 6 , the hinge comprising a cylindrical element to be disposed within the first housing, wherein the rotational movement of the first housing around an axis perpendicular to the second axis extending lengthwise is an axis defined by a centerline of the cylindrical element.

11. The system of claim 6 , the hinge comprising:

a first component disposed within the first housing, the first housing being rotatable around the first component;

a second component disposed within the second housing; and

a third component to connect the first component and the second component.

12. The system of claim 6 , comprising:

a protruding rounded edge of the first housing of the computing device; and

a depression of the second housing of the computing device to receive the protruding rounded edge.

13. A method, comprising:

forming a hinge to couple a first housing of a computing device and a second housing of the computing device, the hinge to provide at least three degrees of freedom between the first housing and the second housing, the at least three degrees of freedom comprising:

rotational movement of the first housing around a first axis parallel to a long axis of the second housing, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to a second axis extending lengthwise at a center of a connection component;

linear movement along the second axis perpendicular to the first axis wherein the second axis extends lengthwise at the center of the connecting component of the hinge connecting the first housing and the second housing; and

rotational movement of the first housing around the second axis extending lengthwise at the center of the connecting component,

wherein the second housing comprises a chamfered edge, wherein rotational movement of the first housing around the second axis extending lengthwise at the center of the connecting component initiates the linear movement when an edge of the first housing engages with the chamfered edge during initial rotational movement.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second housings to house a display of the computing device.

15. The method of claim 13 , comprising forming a spring to provide resistance against the linear movement.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein forming the hinge comprises:

forming a first component to be disposed within the first housing, the first housing being rotatable around the first component;

forming a second component to be disposed within the second housing; and

forming a third component to connect the first component and the second component.

17. The method of claim 13 , comprising:

forming the first housing of the computing device having a protruding rounded edge; and

forming the second housing of the computing device having a depression to receive the protruding rounded edge.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2014
From: AOKI, RUSSELL S.; KU, JEFF; LIN, SHENG-CHAO
To: INTEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032611/0543 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150277488A1 · Oct 1, 2015