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.
Claims18
A controller for an electronic device, comprising logic, at least partially including hardware logic, to:
- receive a torque/position profile for a hinge assembly of the electronic device;
- store the torque/position profile in a memory communicatively coupled to the controller;
- receive a rotational position of the hinge assembly;
- receive torque information for the hinge assembly;
- determine, from the torque/position profile, a torque corresponding to the rotational position;
- and
- selectively actuate an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator coupled to a brake assembly to generate the torque corresponding to the rotational position.
An electronic device, comprising:
- 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;
- and
- a controller comprising logic, at least partially including hardware logic, to:
- receive a torque/position profile for the hinge assembly;
- store the torque/position profile in a memory communicatively coupled to the controller;
- receive a rotational position of the hinge assembly;
- receive torque information for the hinge assembly;
- determine, from the torque/position profile, a torque corresponding to the rotational position;
- and
- selectively actuate the electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator coupled to a brake assembly to generate the torque corresponding to the rotational position.
A method to manage a torque for a hinge on an electronic device, comprising:
- receiving, in a controller of the electronic device, a torque/position profile for a hinge assembly of the electronic device;
- storing the torque/position profile in a memory communicatively coupled to the controller;
- receiving, in the controller, a rotational position of the hinge assembly;
- receiving, in the controller, torque information for the hinge assembly;
- determining, from the torque/position profile, a torque corresponding to the rotational position;
- and
- selectively actuating an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator coupled to a brake assembly to generate the torque corresponding to the rotational position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.