Information handling system kickstand hinge
An information handling system kickstand hinge with a minimum profile transitions a kickstand between extended and retract positions with a first axle of a stand member that slides between forward and rear positions within guides or a rail housing and a second axle of the stand member that couples to the rail housing with riser arms disposed on opposing sides of the stand member. A first torque engine integrated in the riser housing resists sliding motion of a torque member engages with the first axle. A second torque engine integrated in the stand member resists rotation about the second axle. A spring aligned with the torque member biases the stand member towards the extended position to aid in extension of the kickstand from the retracted position.
1. An information handling system comprising:
a housing;
a processor disposed in the housing and operable to execute instructions to process information;
a memory disposed in the housing and interfaced with the processor, the memory operable to store the instructions and information;
a display integrated in a front side of the housing and interfaced with the processor to present the information as visual images;
a kickstand disposed at a rear side of the housing to extend out and support the housing in an elevated configuration relative to a support surface; and
a hinge rotationally coupling the kickstand and housing, the hinge having a rail housing with first and second guides formed on opposing sides and a stand member rotationally coupled to the rail housing at first and second axes, the first axis having a pin extending between the first and second guides and configured to slide relative to the rail housing between a front position and rear position of the rail housing, the second axis rotationally coupled to the rail housing by first and second riser arms at opposing sides of the stand member, the riser arms rotationally coupled to the rail housing at the front position.
2. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the hinge further comprises a first torque engine integrated in the stand member at the second axis and operable to resist rotation of the stand member relative to the riser arms.
3. The information handling system of claim 2 wherein the hinge further comprises:
a torque member rotationally coupled to the first axis pin, the torque member having a slot; and
a second torque engine coupled to the rail housing at the rear position and engaged with the slot to resist movement of the stand member sliding in the first and second guides.
4. The information handling system of claim 3 wherein the hinge further comprises a spring coupled to the rail housing at the rear position and aligned to bias the torque member towards the forward position.
5. The information handling system of claim 4 wherein the first axis slides to a forward position under the first and second riser arms when the stand member rotates to a raised position over the rail housing.
6. The information handling system of claim 5 wherein the hinge couples to the kickstand at the stand member, the hinge further comprising a cover configured to snap over the stand member.
7. The information handling system of claim 5 wherein the housing comprises first and second rotationally coupled housing portions that rotate between a closed and a tablet position.
8. The information handling system of claim 7 further comprising first and second displays, the first display integrated in the first housing portion, the second display integrated in the second housing portion.
9. The information handling system of claim 5 wherein the stand member rotates from an orientation planar with the housing to an orientation of approximately 125 degrees relative to the housing.
10. A method for supporting an information handling system in a viewing position, the method comprising:
coupling a kickstand to a rear surface of the information handling system with a hinge having a rail housing couple to the information handling system and a stand member coupled to the kickstand;
rotating the stand member out of the rail housing about first and second axles to extend the kickstand, the first axle sliding in the rail housing, the second axle coupled to the rail housing by first and second riser arms, the first axle sliding towards the second axle; and
rotating the stand member into the rail housing about the first and second axles to retract the kickstand, the first axle sliding in the rail housing away from the second axle.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
integrating a torque engine in the stand member at the second axle; and
resisting rotation of the stand member with the torque engine.
12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
coupling a torque member to the first axle;
coupling a torque engine to the rail housing and the torque member; and
resisting rotation of the stand member by resisting sliding of the first axle with the torque engine.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
varying a thickness of the torque member; and
varying the resisting by passing the varying thickness through the torque engine.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
aligning a spring to engage against the torque member when the stand member rotates to the retracted position; and
biasing the stand member towards the extended position with the spring.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein:
the first axle slides forward of the second axle when the kickstand fully extends; and
the first axle slides rearward of the second axle when the kickstand fully retracts.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the stand member rotates approximately 125 degrees between retraction and extension of the kickstand.
17. A hinge comprising:
a rail housing having guides on opposing sides;
a stand member configured to couple to a kickstand;
a first axle coupled to the stand member and sliding in the guides between a forward position and a rear position;
a second axle coupled to the stand member distal the first axle; and
first and second riser arms coupled to opposing sides of the stand member at the second axle and to the rail housing, the stand member rotating about the first and second axles between an extended position having first axle slid to the forward position and a retracted position having the first axle slid to the rear position.
18. The hinge of claim 17 further comprising a torque engine integrated in the stand member at the second axle to resist rotation of the stand member about the second axle.
19. The hinge of claim 17 further comprising:
a torque member coupled to the stand member at the first axle to slide with the first axle between the forward and rear positions; and
a torque engine coupled to the rail housing and engaged with the torque member to resist sliding motion of the first axle in the guides.
20. The hinge of claim 19 further comprising a spring aligned to bias against the torque member in the rear position.