Variable resistance electronic device brake clutch

A method for operating an electronic device having a touch sensitive variable resistance brake clutch, the method comprising:

• allowing a resistive force that inhibits motion within the touch sensitive variable resistance brake clutch to be maintained against a rotational motion of a clutch shaft by engaging, with a biasing component, a conical brake drum with a non-rotating brake ring, wherein the conical brake drum is disposed around a portion of the clutch shaft and configured to rotate with the clutch shaft, and wherein the clutch shaft facilitates a rotational coupling of a first electronic device component and a second electronic device component;
• detecting a touch event by a sensor at a location on the electronic device that is separate from the location of the variable resistance brake clutch;
• and
• releasing the resistive force in response to detection of the touch event by actuating an actuator coupled to the conical brake drum,
• wherein, when actuated, the actuator acts against a biasing force applied to the conical brake drum by the biasing component and disengages the conical brake drum from the non-rotating brake ring, reducing the resistive force that inhibits motion within the touch sensitive variable resistance brake clutch.

An electronic device comprising:

• a first electronic component;
• a second electronic component;
• a touch activated clutch assembly coupled to the first and second electronic components, and configured to facilitate rotation of the first electronic component with respect to the second electronic component, the clutch assembly comprising:
• a rotatable shaft;
• a brake drum disposed on the rotatable shaft and configured to rotate with the rotatable shaft;
• a non-rotating brake ring shaped to receive the brake drum, wherein receiving the brake drum applies a resistive force that inhibits rotation of the first electronic component with respect to the second electronic component;
• and
• an actuator coupled to the brake drum;
• and
• a touch sensitive surface located at one of the electronic device components and in communication with the touch activated clutch assembly,
• wherein, in response to detecting a touch event at the touch sensitive surface, the actuator releases the brake drum from the non-rotating brake ring and reduces the resistive force.