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US 2017/0351296 A1Published application
Clutch control
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorsJui Tong TAN, Junzhuo TIAN, David XING
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The description relates to devices that include hinged portions and controlling rotation of the hinged portions with smart clutch control. One example can include powering a motor to cause clutch portions to engage in a first instance. The example can also include monitoring an operational parameter during the powering. The method can further include, based at least in part upon the monitoring, adjusting power to cause the clutch portions to engage in a second instance with a force that is different than the first instance.
Claims32
A device, comprising:
- a base assembly;
- a display assembly including a display;
- and,
- a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the base assembly and the display assembly, the hinge assembly comprising:
- a clutch that is configured to be transitioned between a disengaged position that allows the hinge assembly to rotate and an engaged position that locks the hinge assembly,
- a motor that is configured to transition the hinge assembly between the disengaged position and the engaged position, and,
- a smart clutch-controller that is configured to supply power to the motor to cause the motor to transition the clutch between the engaged and disengaged positions, and wherein the smart clutch-controller is further configured to monitor an operational parameter of the power when the clutch reaches the engaged position and to adjust subsequent power supplied to the motor to transition the clutch based upon the monitored operational parameter.
4 more elements
A device, comprising:
- first and second portions;
- a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first and second portions around an axis;
- a clutch positioned relative to the axis and comprising opposing elements;
- a motor configured to cause the opposing elements to engage one another to prevent rotation around the axis and to disengage the opposing elements to allow rotation around the axis;
- and,
- a controller configured to:
- drive the motor a first time to cause the opposing elements to engage one another a first time, sense an operational parameter as the opposing elements engage one another the first time, and adjust driving the motor a second time based at least in part upon the sensed operational parameter to cause the opposing elements to engage one another a second time.
4 more elements
A method, comprising:
- powering a motor to cause clutch portions to engage in a first instance;
- monitoring an operational parameter during the powering;
- and,
- based at least in part upon the monitoring, adjusting power to cause the clutch portions to engage in a second instance with a force that is different than the first instance.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.