Smart variable torque display
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsMark E. Sprenger, Russell S. Aoki, Paul J. Gwin, Ralph V. Miele, Shawn McEuen, Mark MacDonald, David Pidwerbecki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one example an electronic device comprises a controller, a chassis comprising a first section and a second section, and a hinge assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to the second section of the chassis comprising a shaft rotatable about a first axis, a brake selectively engageable with a portion of the shaft, and an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator coupled to the brake, wherein the EAP actuator selectively engages the brake with a portion of the shaft in response to a signal from the controller. Other examples may be described.
Claims12
A hinge assembly for an electronic device, comprising:
- a shaft rotatable about a first axis;
- a brake selectively engageable with a portion of the shaft;
- a rotational position sensor to determine a rotational position of the shaft about the first axis, wherein the rotational position sensor is communicatively coupled to a controller which monitors the rotational position of the shaft about the first axis;
- and
- an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator coupled to the brake, wherein the EAP actuator selectively engages the brake with a portion of the shaft in order to apply a pressure to the brake which varies across a range of angular rotation of the shaft about the first axis to achieve a predetermined torque profile across the range of angular rotation in response to a signal from a controller.
A chassis for an electronic device, comprising:
- a first section and a second section;
- and
- a hinge assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to the second section of the chassis, comprising:
- a shaft rotatable about a first axis;
- a brake selectively engageable with a portion of the shaft;
- a rotational position sensor to determine a rotational position of the shaft about the first axis, wherein the rotational position sensor is communicatively coupled to a controller which monitors the rotational position of the shaft about the first axis;
- and
- an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator coupled to the brake, wherein the EAP actuator selectively engages the brake with a portion of the shaft in order to apply a pressure to the brake which varies across a range of angular rotation of the shaft about the first axis to achieve a predetermined torque profile across the range of angular rotation in response to a signal from a controller.
An electronic device, comprising:
- a controller;
- a chassis comprising a first section and a second section;
- and
- a hinge assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to the second section of the chassis, comprising:
- a shaft rotatable about a first axis;
- a brake selectively engageable with a portion of the shaft;
- a rotational position sensor to determine a rotational position of the shaft about the first axis, wherein the rotational position sensor is communicatively coupled to a controller which monitors the rotational position of the shaft about the first axis;
- and
- an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator coupled to the brake, wherein the EAP actuator selectively engages the brake with a portion of the shaft in order to apply a pressure to the brake which varies across a range of angular rotation of the shaft about the first axis to achieve a predetermined torque profile across the range of angular rotation in response to a signal from a controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.