MXPA96001745A - Method and apparatus for concrete duct - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hinge for routing a conductor in an electronic device comprising: a first hinge element having an opening opening the first portion of said electronic device for receiving said conductor; a moving cylinder located within said opening of said first hinge element, said cylinder has a main portion of the cylinder and external portions of the cylinder on each side of the main portion of the cylinder and has a first slot extending at least partially through to receive said conductor where said The first groove has a first portion extending through one of said outer portions of the cylinder at an angle with respect to the second portion extending through said main portion of the cylinder, and a second hinge element having a second groove. to receive said conductor, said conductor retains said cylinder in a position substantially fixed relative to said second bisag element

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTORS Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to electronic devices, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for routing conductors through an electronic device.

Background of the Invention With the improvements in technology and the reduction in the size of electronic components, the size of electronic devices has been reduced in a similar way. One of the techniques for further reducing the overall dimensions of an electronic device is to provide collapsible hinged pieces. Many electronic devices that include hinged covers have little functionality. For example, some have no other function than to protect an interconnection for the device, or their functions are limited in relation to the position of the lid.

However, functional components can be included in both hinged pieces. In addition to reducing the overall dimensions, the hinged arrangement allows an additional functional surface area to be exposed when the electronic device is opened and protected when the electronic device is closed. For example, in a portable radiotelephone or other electronic devices such as laptops and pocketbooks or electronic diaries, the inner surface of a hinged piece could contain functional elements such as the handset and the screen, while the inner surface of another hinged piece could have another functional element for example a keyboard.

However, when the functional elements are located in each of the hinged pieces, an electrical connection between the functional elements must be created. Said electrical connection can be made by routing individual cables through the hinge. As an alternative, flexible strips, known to those skilled in the art, can be routed between the hinged pieces to provide the electrical connection through the functional elements of the hinged parts.

In conventional devices having flexible strips routed through the hinge, an excess extension of flexible strip is provided within the hinge to allow the additional length of the flexible strip that is required when the device is closed to remain. For example, a flexible strip may be wound loosely around an axis of a hinge. When the electronic device is in the closed position, the flexible strip fits more tightly around the hinge. Other devices have provided rotating elements that move freely within the hinge and have a flexible strip that extends through a slot in the rotating element of the hinge. Finally, electronic devices that have no rotating element within the hinge have incorporated flexible strips that extend along an elongated hinge and twist within the hinge. The pressure on the connections of the proximal and distal end pieces of the flexible strip is minimized if the torsion is spread over the flexible strip to a greater extent. However, said conventional devices usually require flexible strip and / or surplus hinges having a larger diameter to accommodate the excess flexible strip. Such arrangements eventually become susceptible to damage or failure due to the contraction of the flexible strips or to the pressure on the connections.

Accordingly, a hinge arrangement for a folding electronic device incorporating a conductor and a cylinder mounted rotatably within the hinge that does not need an excess extension of the flexible strip is needed. A folding electronic device having a flexible strip and a cylinder mounted in a rotating manner that minimizes the risk of damage to the flexible strip is also needed.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding electronic device in closed position embodying this invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the foldable electronic device of Figure 1, in the open position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cylinder for routing conductors through a hinge in a foldable electronic device in accordance with this invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a flexible strip inserted in the cylinder of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the assemblies of the collapsible electronic device compartment of Figure 1, incorporating the flexible strip and the cylinder of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the assemblies of Figure 5, with the cylinder and the flexible strip inserted in the upper compartment; Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the location of the flexible strip and the cylinder within the compartment elements when the portable electronic device is in the closed position; Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the location of the flexible strip and the cylinder within the compartment elements when the portable electronic device is open at a 90 degree angle; and Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the location of the flexible strip and cylinder within the compartment elements when the portable electronic device is fully open Description of the Preferred Embodiment This invention is intended to provide a method and apparatus for routing conductors as a flexible strip through a hinge or a collapsible electronic device such as a cellular radiotelephone or other wireless communication device. In particular, the invention provides a cylinder that is rotatably mounted within the hinge portion of a compartment member. The cylinder preferably includes a slot for receiving a distal end of a flexible strip which is also inserted into the slot of another element of the compartment of the collapsible electronic device. The method and apparatus of this invention allows the flexible strip to be effectively routed between two mobile elements of the compartment without being damaged.

Referring first to Figure 1, a perspective view shows a folding electronic device 100 for example a portable cellular radiotelephone having two hinged pieces in the closed position. In particular, a lower compartment 102 is coupled to an upper compartment 104 having an external lid 106 of the compartment and a removable battery 108. The lower compartment 102 includes hinge elements 110 and 112 which are interengaged with the hinge elements 114 and 116 of the upper compartment 104. A cylinder 118 for routing conductors between the lower compartment 102 and the upper compartment 104 is located within the upper compartment 104 between the hinge elements 114 and 116. The lower compartment 102 preferably includes an external connector 120 for transmitting or receiving signals from an external device and an antenna 122 to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) signals.

As shown in Figure 2, the folding electronic device can be opened at a theta angle. { &), exposing the keyboard 202, the display 204, the microphone opening 206, and the speaker 208. As will be evident from the remaining figures, the cylinder 118 allows the conductors, such as the flexible strip, to establish a connection between the electrical components located in the upper compartment and in the lower compartment.

Referring now to Figure 3, an example of cylinder 118 according to this invention is shown. The cylinder 118 preferably comprises a main part of the cylinder 302 and external parts of the cylinder 304 and 306. The outer part of the cylinder 306 includes a groove 308 leading to the groove 310 of the main part of the cylinder 302. The groove 308 is preferably located at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder to prevent a conductor such as the flexible strip, which can be inserted in the slot 310, from sliding out while assembling the electronic device. However, it is understood that the slot 308 may be aligned with the slot 310., the groove comprising the grooves 308 and 310 can extend through the external part of the cylinder 304. Although the cylinder is shown as a hollow cylinder, it can be completely solid with the grooves 308 and 310 extended from the center of the cylinder latarally towards the external surface. However, the cylinder will preferably be hollow as shown, to reduce the total weight of the collapsible electronic device.

With respect to Figure 4, a flexible strip 402 located within the groove 308 of the cylinder 118 is shown. While the flexible strip 402 is shown as a flexible strip having conductive elements as is well known in the art, in this art. invention any type of conductive element including one or more individual cables can be used. Preferably, the flexible strip 402 comprises a proximal end 404 having contact elements 405 for creating connections with the components of the upper compartment 104 of the electronic device. A conductive part 406 of the flexible strip leads to an angular portion 408. As will be evident in Figure 6, the conductive portion 406 will be adjacent to the lower compartment 102, so it needs a bent portion 410 to allow a side portion 412 of the flexible strip extends into the cylinder 118, and a distal end 414 of the flexible strip extends through the slot 310.

The flexible strip 402 of Figure 4 is seen in a conformal position when it is inserted into the electronic device, as shown in Figure 6. While the flexible strip is preferably a conventional flexible strip that lies flat when it is alone, it will be understood that the flexible strip 402 may be preformed to have a bent portion 410 as shown in Figure 4. Likewise, while the conductive part 406 and the distal end 414 are on the same line in Figure 4, the conductive part 406 it may extend downwardly from the angled portion 410 without the angular portion 408 and may terminate with the contact elements 405 in any arrangement.

With respect to Figures 5 and 6, exploded views of the compartments incorporating the cylinder 118 and the flexible strip 402 are shown. In particular, the contact elements 405 of the proximal end 404 are adapted to provide an electrical connection to the components within a compartment portion for components 501. Such components mounted within the compartment may include circuit boards and / or discrete components such as a vibrator for a silent alert function, a speaker, a sound warning device or battery contacts.

The cylinder 118 is adapted to be inserted into an opening 504 between the hinge elements 114 and 116. In particular, the main part of the cylinder 302 is adapted to fit the hinge elements 114 and 116, while the external parts of the cylinder 304 and 306 fit within the elements of the hinge 114 and 116, which allows the cylinder 118 to rotate within the opening 504. Preferably, the opening 504 extends at an angle greater than 180 degrees around the hinge for allow a full range of movement of the hinged parts. While the hinge may be intended to open up to a fixed angle '& As shown in Figure 2, the hinge can also allow a larger opening to minimize the risk of damage to the device. As will be apparent with respect to Figs. 7-9, the cylinder 118 will rotate only at the angle of the opening 504 when the distal end 414 of the flexible strip is located through the slot 310 of the cylinder 118. Accordingly, any angle of the opening 504 which limits the movements of the hinged elements can be selected.

As can be seen in Fig. 6, the angled portion 410 and the angled portion 411 allow the side portion 412 to be inserted into the central part of the cylinder and the distal end 414 to extend through the slot 310. Finally; , a lid 506 can be inserted to prevent exposure of the flexible strip or the cylinder. When the electronic device is fully assembled, the outer lid of the compartment 106 covers the components of the component compartment 501. The conductive part 406 is adapted to rest on a flat surface 502 of the upper compartment 104 and may be covered by a part of the compartment, a label or other material to prevent damage to the flexible strip. The battery 108 shown in Figure 1 is usually located on the flexible strip 402.

With respect to Figures 7-9, partial cross-sectional views of the folding electronic device taken on lines AA of Figure 1 show the movement of flexible strip 402 and cylinder 118. In cross-sectional views the flexible strip is not removed to show clearly his movement. Rather, the complete flexible strip is shown in Figures 7-9. To clearly describe the movement of the flexible strip and the cylinder, an angle alpha (Oi-) is defined as the angle between the far end 414 and the plane containing the conductive part 406 as shown in Figure 7. When the device When the electronic device is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 7, the angle £ "is approximately minus ninety (-90) degrees." In this position, the elongated portion 411 of the flexible strip is inclined in the direction of the arrows. clock as shown in Figure 7 to allow the distal end 414 of the flexible strip to extend through the slot 310 of the cylinder 118 and the slot 508 of the lower compartment 102.

When the lower compartment 102 is moved with respect to the upper compartment 104, the cylinder 118 and the distal end 414 extending through the slot 508 of the lower compartment 102 move with the lower compartment 102. That is, the slot 310 of the The cylinder and the slot 508 of the lower compartment 102 are aligned while the upper and lower compartments move relative to each other. When the lower compartment 102 and the upper compartment are at 90 degrees as shown in Figure 8, the angles is 0 degree while the far end 414 is in the same plane as the conductive part 406 of the flexible strip. As can be seen in Figure 8, the degree of curvature of the angled portion 411 is reduced. When the electronic device is further opened at an angle equal to the angle Q. shown in Figure 2, the angle < «It extends towards a positive angle. As can be seen in Figure 9, 3, the rotation of the bent portion 411 is further reduced when the cylinder 118 and the distal end 414 rotate with the lower compartment 102.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in the specification and prior drawings, it is understood that this description is only an example and that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications without departing from the real spirit and scope of the invention. While the figures show a preformed flexible strip, this invention could employ any form of flexible strip or other conductive elements to provide an electrical connection between the components of the mobile elements of the compartment. The references to the upper and lower parts were arbitrarily selected and the movable cylinder could be incorporated into any element of the compartment. Also, rather than in an opening in the compartment, the cylinder could be inserted in an empty space in the compartment to allow a complete 360 degree rotation of the compartment elements, one with respect to the other. While this invention finds particular application in portable cellular radiotelephones, the invention could be applied to any electronic device, including pagers, electronic diaries, computers or any wireless communication device with mobile elements in the compartment. Applicants' invention should be limited only to the claims that follow.

Claims (10)

1. A hinge for routing a conductor in an electronic device characterized by: a first element of the hinge (114/116) having an opening; a cylinder (118) located in movable fomra within the opening of the first element of the hinge, said cylinder having a first slot extending at least partially through it to receive the driver, - and a second element of the hinge (110/112) that has one. second slot that receives the driver.

2. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the cylinder is characterized by a main part of the cylinder (302) and external parts of the cylinder (304/306) on each side of the main part of the cylinder, wherein the first slot extends through of one of said external parts of the cylinder and said main part of the cylinder.

3. The hinge of claim 2 wherein the first groove extending through one of the outer parts of the cylinder and the main part of the cylinder, is characterized by a first part (308) that extends through the outer part of the cylinder at an angle with respect to a second part (310) that extends through the main part of the cylinder.

4. The hinge of claim 2 further characterized by a flexible strip (402) having a first part that extends longitudinally inwardly of the cylinder and has a second part extending laterally through the first slot.

5. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the first and second elements of the hinge form a first and second compartment parts respectively of a wireless communication device.

6. A method for routing a conductor between the movable elements of the compartment characterized by the following steps: providing a hinge comprising a first part having an opening and a second part having a first slot for receiving the driver, - locating a cylinder in the form movable within the opening of the first part of the hinge, the cylinder has a second slot extending at least partially through it to receive the driver, - inserting said conductor longitudinally inside the cylinder; and extending the conductor laterally through the second slot and the first slot.

7. The method for routing conductors of claim 6 wherein the step of locating a cylinder is characterized by locating a main part of the cylinder within the opening and locating the outer parts of the cylinder on each side of the main part of the cylinder within the hinge .

8. The method for routing conductors of claim 7 wherein the step of inserting the conductor is characterized by locating the conductor within the hollow region of the cylinder. The method for routing conductors of claim 8 wherein the step of extending the conductor laterally through the second groove and the first groove is characterized by aligning the second groove with the first groove. 10. The method for routing conductors of claim 6 wherein the step of providing a hinge is characterized by providing a hinge for a radiotelephone. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTORS Summary of the Invention A unique method and apparatus effectively routes conductors such as conductors on a flexible strip (402) through a hinge of a collapsible electronic device (100) such as a cellular radiotelephone or other wireless communication device. In particular, a cylinder (118) is rotatably mounted within. the part of the hinge of a compartment (104). The cylinder preferably includes a slot for receiving a distal end (414) of the flexible strip which is also inserted - in one slot (310) in the other compartment (102) of the folding electronic device. The method and apparatus of this invention allows the flexible strip to be routed between two movable compartments and the compartment elements to move relative to one another without being damaged.