US 9,851,749 B2 · Magnetic hinge system

Abstract

A magnetic hinge system includes a first member and a second member moveably coupled together by a hinge. The hinge includes a flexible base connected to each of the first member and the second member, and a plurality of magnetic elements extending from the flexible base. The magnetic elements are configured to be moved into first relative positions that result in the magnetic forces between the magnetic elements holding the magnetic elements in a first stable orientation to provide the first member and the second member in a first configuration. The magnetic elements are also configured to be moved into second relative positions that result in the magnetic forces between the magnetic elements holding the magnetic elements in a second stable orientation to provide the first member and the second member in a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A magnetic hinge system, comprising:

a first member;
a second member;
and
a hinge moveably coupling the first member to the second member, wherein the hinge includes:
a flexible base connected to each of the first member and the second member;
and
a plurality of magnetic elements extending from the flexible base;
wherein the plurality of magnetic elements are configured to be moved into first relative positions that result in the magnetic forces between the plurality of magnetic elements holding the plurality of magnetic elements in a first stable orientation to provide the first member and the second member in a first configuration;
and
wherein the plurality of magnetic elements are configured to be moved into second relative positions that result in the magnetic forces between the plurality of magnetic elements holding the plurality of magnetic elements in a second stable orientation to provide the first member and the second member in a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.

7 more elements

An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

a base member housing a processing system and a memory system;
a display member housing a display device;
and
a hinge moveably coupling the base member to the display member, wherein the hinge includes:
a flexible base connected to each of the base member and the display member;
and
a plurality of magnetic elements extending from the flexible base;
wherein the plurality of magnetic elements are configured to be moved into first relative positions that result in the magnetic forces between the plurality of magnetic elements holding the plurality of magnetic elements in a first stable orientation to provide the base member and the display member in a first configuration;
and
wherein the plurality of magnetic elements are configured to be moved into second relative positions that result in the magnetic forces between the plurality of magnetic elements holding the plurality of magnetic elements in a second stable orientation to provide the base member and the display member in a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.

7 more elements

A method for providing hinge movement, comprising:

providing a plurality of magnetic elements that extend from a flexible base in first relative positions that result in the magnetic forces between the plurality of magnetic elements holding the plurality of magnetic elements in a first stable orientation to provide a first member and a second member that are connected to the flexible base in a first configuration;
and
moving the plurality of magnetic elements into second relative positions that result in the magnetic forces between the plurality of magnetic elements holding the plurality of magnetic elements in a second stable orientation to provide the first member and the second member in a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Magnetic hinge system

Life of this patent

Magnetic hinge system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20