Portable information handling system with a multi-torque hinge to support whiteboard input mode
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsAnthony J. Sanchez, Michael Ellis Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable information handling system includes a variable torque hinge that increases torque to resist hinge rotation when the information handling system housing rotates to a writing position, such as rotation to a range of between 300 and 350 degrees. In one embodiment, a sequential hinge rotates in the writing range about one axle that has increased friction in the desired writing range generated by a cam having a variable surface area and depth to work a variable friction between a friction structure and axle end cap.
Claims19
An information handling system comprising:
- a housing having first and second housing portions;
- 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 touchscreen display coupled to the housing and operable to detect end user touches as inputs;
- and
- a hinge rotationally coupling the first and second housing portions, the hinge having a torque engine generating friction in response to rotation of the first and second housing portions, the friction providing torque to resist rotation of the first and second housing portions, the hinge rotating the first and second housing portions from a closed position for 360 degrees to a tablet position, the torque engine having at least a first torque and a second torque, the first torque having a first level associated with maintaining a stationary rotational orientation through a first rotation range when free of rotational force, the second torque having a second level greater than the first level and associated with maintaining a stationary rotational orientation through a second rotational range when a writing force is applied against the display, the second rotational range having the first housing portion resting on a support surface, the second housing portion elevated above the support surface at an angle and the display exposed with an upward orientation at the second housing portion to accept end user touch inputs.
A method for managing torque during rotation of a portable information handling system housing having first and second housing portions, the method comprising:
- resisting rotation of the first and second housing portions through a first rotation range with a maintenance torque associated with maintaining a stationary rotational orientation when the first and second housing portions are free of rotational force;
- and
- resisting rotation of the first and second housing portions through a second rotation range with a writing torque associated with maintaining a stationary rotational orientation when a writing force is applied against a display of the information handling system, the second rotation range configured to have one of the first and second housing portions resting on a support surface and the other of the first and second housing portions elevated above the support surface with the display exposed at an upper side to accept written inputs.
A system for managing torque during rotation of a portable information handling system housing having first and second housing portions, the system comprising:
- first and second hinges, each of the first and second hinges having first and second axles;
- and
- a torque engine coupled to each of the first and second hinges, each torque engine having a friction structure coupled to the first and second axles and an end cap coupled to each of the first and second axles, and having a cam disposed between the friction structure and the first and second end caps to generate a first torque in a first rotation range and a second torque in a second rotation range, the first torque associated with maintaining a stationary rotational orientation through the first rotation range when free of rotational force, the second torque associated with maintaining a stationary rotation orientation through the second rotation range when a writing force is applied against the hinge, the second rotation range configured to have at least 270 degrees of rotation from a closed position with one of the first and second housing portions resting on a support surface and the other of the first and second housing portions elevated above the support surface with the display exposed at an upper side to accept written inputs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.