Hinge mechanism
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorEsa-Sakari Määttä
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Technologies are described for a hinge mechanism coupled to at least a dual-display device wherein the displays can rotate with respect to each other through 360 degrees. The hinge mechanism has at least one flexible connection member that follows a generally S-shaped path when the displays are in a tablet position. In some embodiments, a second flexible connection member can be added that follows a mirrored S-shaped path. The S-shaped path of the first flexible connection member and the mirrored S-shape path of the second flexible connection member together create a cross-configuration. In other embodiments, interconnected friction hinges can allow for a free-stop function at any point along the 360 degrees of rotation.
Claims19
A hinge assembly for coupling at least a first computing device to a second computing device, comprising:
- a first friction hinge, wherein the first friction hinge includes an extension member with an elongated slot formed therein;
- a second friction hinge, wherein the second friction hinge includes a slot pin sized to fit within the elongated slot;
- and
- wherein the slot pin and the elongated slot form a geared connection coupling the first friction hinge to the second friction hinge, wherein the first computing device is connected to the first friction hinge and a second computing device is connected to the second friction hinge, wherein when rotating the first computing device to the second computing device from a fully open position to a position of about 90 degrees, wherein in the fully open position, a distance between the extension member on the first friction hinge and a recess end of a recess of the second friction hinge is maximized, wherein rotating the first friction hinge relative to the second friction hinge causes the extension member to move radially in the recess, wherein in the position of about 90 degrees, a distance between the extension member and the recess end is minimized so that the extension member contacts the recess end.
A computing assembly, comprising:
- a first computing device including a first mounting plate;
- a second computing device including a second mounting plate;
- and
- a hinge assembly, including:
- a first friction hinge connected to the first mounting plate, wherein the first friction hinge rotates about a first axis, wherein the first friction hinge includes an extension member slidable in a radial direction;
- a first coupling portion connected to the extension member;
- a second friction hinge connected to the second mounting plate, wherein the second friction hinge rotates about a second axis;
- a second coupling portion, wherein the second coupling portion is a recess in the second friction hinge;
- and
- a connection coupling the first friction hinge to the second friction hinge, wherein when rotating the first computing device to the second computing device from a fully open position to a position of about 90 degrees, wherein in the fully open position, a distance between the first coupling portion of the extension member on the first friction hinge and a recess end of the recess of the second coupling portion is maximized, wherein rotating the first computing hinge relative to the second computing hinge causes the first coupling portion of the extension member to move radially in the second coupling portion, wherein in the position of about 90 degrees, a distance between the first coupling portion of the extension member and the recess end is minimized so that the first coupling portion of the extension member contacts the recess end.
A method for connecting a computing assembly, comprising:
- connecting a first computing device to a first friction hinge and a second computing device to a second friction hinge, the first friction hinge being connected to the second friction hinge with a geared connection;
- rotating the first computing device to the second computing device from a fully open position to a position of about 90 degrees, wherein in the fully open position, a distance between an extension member on the first friction hinge and a recess end of a recess on the second friction hinge is maximized, wherein rotating the first computing device relative to the second computing device causes the extension member to move radially in the recess, wherein in the position of about 90 degrees, a distance between the extension member and the recess end is minimized;
- rotating the first computing device relative to the second computing device to a position of about 180 degrees, wherein rotating the first computing device relative to the second computing device causes the distance between the extension member and the recess end to increase;
- and
- rotating the first computing device relative to the second computing device to a position of 270 degrees, wherein rotating the first computing device relative to the second computing device causes the distance between the extension member and the recess end to decrease.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.