US20020030969A1 - One inch notebook computer - Google Patents
One inch notebook computer Download PDFInfo
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- US20020030969A1 US20020030969A1 US09/942,343 US94234301A US2002030969A1 US 20020030969 A1 US20020030969 A1 US 20020030969A1 US 94234301 A US94234301 A US 94234301A US 2002030969 A1 US2002030969 A1 US 2002030969A1
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- Prior art keywords
- computer
- housing
- region
- battery housing
- enclosure
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1615—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function
- G06F1/1616—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
- G06F1/1635—Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
- G06F1/1656—Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories
- G06F1/166—Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
Definitions
- the invention relates to computer systems and particularly to portable “notebook” computer form factors.
- a computer having a computer housing and a keyboard assembly in the housing.
- a motherboard is positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure.
- the other components comprising the computer are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region, and a battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.
- An exceptionally thin portable computer is thereby provided.
- a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor are all located in a position forward of the region and in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with the region.
- the battery housing is movably attached to a rear side of the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.
- a portable notebook computer is provided which is only one inch thick, and therefore at least 50% thinner than presently available portable notebook computers.
- FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a notebook computer, with its screen top open, embodying the principles of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a top perspective view from the rear of the notebook computer of FIG. 1 with its top closed. The exteriorly mounted battery pack is shown in its closed position;
- FIG. 3 is a top perspective view from the rear of the notebook computer of FIGS. 1 - 2 with its top closed. the battery pack is illustrated in the open position;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the computer from below. The under side of the notebook computer of FIG. 1 showing the rotatable and electric mounting of the battery pack;
- FIG. 5 is a elevation view of the battery pack housing, removed from its computer mounting, embodying the principles of the invention
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the computer of FIG. 1 with its screen top and battery pack removed;
- FIGS. 7 ( a ) and ( b ) are views of the electrical contact that couples one side of the battery housing to the computer housing;
- FIGS. 8 ( a ) and ( b ) are views of the joint for rotatably coupling the other side of the battery housing to the computer enclosure;
- FIGS. 9 ( a ) and ( b ) are views of the mating socket on the computer housing which accepts the joint of FIG. 8;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of, partly in section, of the keyboard assembly and motherboard within the computer enclosure of FIG. 1 arranged according to the principles of the invention
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the layout of additional electrical components arranged within the computer enclosure of FIG. 1 in accordance with the principles of the invention.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the region in the computer enclosure of FIG. 1 illustrating the region occupied by the keyboard assembly and motherboard when arranged as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
- FIG. 13 is a top view of the forward portion of the computer of FIG. 1 with electrical components indicated by dotted lines.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a portable notebook computer 10 embodying the principles of the invention.
- the notebook computer 10 includes a computer enclosure or computer housing 12 , inside which the electronic components 14 (not shown) of the computer 10 reside (e.g. a CPU motherboard on which component chips reside, a hard disk drive, PCMCIA slot, etc).
- the electronic components 14 e.g. a CPU motherboard on which component chips reside, a hard disk drive, PCMCIA slot, etc.
- a keyboard 16 for entering data
- a trackball 18 used to move a cursor device about a display screen 20 .
- the display screen 20 is rotatably mounted via a display screen hinge 22 at its rear edge 24 to the top side 26 of the computer housing 12 at its rear side 28 .
- a separate battery housing 30 which holds batteries 32 (FIG. 4) for supplying electrical power to the electronic components 14 within the computer housing 12 .
- the battery housing 30 mounted external to the computer housing 12 , it is possible to arrange the electronic components 14 within the computer housing 12 to provide a very thin notebook computer 10 .
- the battery housing 30 is movably mounted on the computer housing 12 and dimensioned such that the battery housing 30 can move between a closed position 34 wherein the battery housing 30 covers the rear wall 36 at the rear side 28 of the computer housing 12 (FIG. 2) and an open position 38 wherein the battery housing 30 serves to elevate the rear wall 36 of the computer housing 12 to provide a convenient typing angle when the computer 10 is resting on a support surface 40 (FIG. 3).
- the battery housing 30 is shown rotatably mounted on the computer housing 12 such that the battery housing 30 rotates between the closed position 34 and the open position 38 .
- FIG. 3 it can be seen that on the rear wall 36 of the computer housing 12 are connectors 42 for electrically connecting the computer 10 to peripheral devices: serial communications lines, parallel printers, and the like.
- FIG. 2 when the battery housing 30 is rotated into the closed position 34 , it covers the connectors 42 , and the bottom sides 44 and 46 of the computer housing 12 and battery housing 30 respectively then provide a continuous flat surface 48 .
- FIG. 3 when the battery housing 30 is shown rotated into the open position 38 , the connectors 42 are exposed for use.
- the battery housing 30 serves to elevate the rear side 28 of the computer housing 12 to an angle 50 comfortable for typing on the keyboard 16 .
- a comfortable typing angle 50 is known to be generally between 5 and 10 degrees.
- the battery housing 30 is an elongated housing having a narrow portion 52 and a wide portion 54 .
- the narrow portion 52 is placed such that it, is generally coextensive with the connectors 42 on the rear wall 36 of the computer housing 12 when the battery housing 30 is mounted on the computer housing 12 .
- the axis of rotation 56 of the battery housing (FIG. 2) is shown to extend through the wide portion 54 of the battery housing 30 so that when the battery housing 30 is rotated into the closed position 34 the narrow portion 52 covers the connectors 42 , and when the battery housing 30 is rotated into the open position 38 there is provided above the narrow portion 52 a space 58 through which the connectors 42 are exposed.
- the connectors 42 are positioned cenrally on the rear wall 36 of the computer housing 12 , and the narrow portion 52 of the battery housing 30 is positioned in the center 60 of the battery housing 30 so that is is coextensive with the connectors 42 when the battery housing 30 is mounted on the computer housing 12 .
- the battery housing 30 In addition to being movable when mounted on the computer housing 12 , it is convenient, as shown, to have the battery housing 30 removably mounted. Referring specifically to FIG. 5, the battery housing 30 is shown removed from the computer housing 12 .
- the battery housing 30 of FIG. 5 has the narrow portion 52 and two wider end portions 62 .
- a total of six batteries 32 can be held within the battery housing 30 .
- Two batteries 32 reside in adjacent relationship within each wider end portion 62
- two batteries 32 reside in lengthwise relationship within the narrow portion 52 .
- the wider end portions 62 of the battery housing 30 form opposing inwardly facing surfaces 64 .
- An opening 66 is formed between the opposing inwardly facing surfaces 64 , which forms the space 58 through which the connectors 42 are exposed when the battery housing 30 is mounted on the computer housing 12 and rotated into the open position 38 (FIG. 3).
- the rear wall 36 of the computer housing 12 is shaped such that it has a central extended portion 68 .
- the connectors 42 are located on this central extended portion 68 .
- the central extended portion 68 has opposite outwardly facing sides 70 .
- the central extended portion 68 of the computer housing 12 is located between the wider end portions 62 of the battery housing 30 such that the outwardly facing sides 70 of the central extended portion 68 oppose the respective inwardly facing surfaces 64 of the wider end portions 62 of the battery housing 30 .
- the battery housing 30 includes an electrical contact 72 located at one of the inwardly facing surfaces 64 effective to provide electrical power to the computer 10 during rotational movement of the battery housing 30 .
- the electrical contact 72 mates with a mating electrical contact 76 located on the respective outwardly facing side 70 of the central extended portion 68 of the computer housing 12 . Electrical power is transferred between the batteries 32 and the components 14 within the computer housing 12 via the electrical contact 72 and mating electrical contact 76 .
- the electrical contact 72 is rotatable to provide rotatable mounting of the battery housing 30 to the computer housing 12 as well as the transfer of electrical power between the batteries 32 and the mating electrical contact 76 .
- the electrical contact 72 is a cylindrically shaped member 80 on which several recessed copper contact strips 82 are circumferentially located. These contact strips 82 are electrically connected to the batteries 32 within the battery housing 30 .
- the mating electrical contact 76 located on the computer housing 12 is a U-shaped contact including several copper sliders 84 . When the battery housing 30 is mounted on the computer housing 12 , the electrical contact 72 rests in the U-shaped contact such that the contact strips 82 electrically contact the sliders 84 .
- the batteries 32 are arranged two in series, three in parallel to provide 7.2 Volts at up to 4 Amps.
- a joint 88 which mates with a rotatable socket 90 located on the respective outwardly facing side 70 of the central extended portion 68 of the computer housing 12 .
- the socket 90 includes a key or tab 92 which fits into a slot 94 centrally located through the joint 88 . Rotation of the battery housing 30 is thus provided via the respective interactions between the rotatable electrical contact 72 and mating electrical contact 76 , and between the joint 88 and the rotatable socket 90 .
- two slidably mounted tab covers 98 slide to cover and uncover the mating electrical contact and the rotatable socket 90 .
- the battery housing 30 is rotated into the open position 38 and the slidable tab covers 98 are slid toward each other to expose the rotatable connections.
- the open side of the U-shaped contact 100 is exposed, as is an open end of the slot 94 .
- the battery housing 30 can then be lifted from the computer housing 12 so that the cylindrical electrical contact 72 is lifted through the open end of the U-shaped mating electrical contact 76 , and the tab 92 of the joint 88 is lifted out of the slot 94 .
- the battery housing 30 can be re-installed via the opposite motion wherein the cylindrical electrical contact 72 is dropped into the U-shpaed mating electrical contact 76 and the tab 92 is placed into the slot 94 . Sliding the tab covers 98 away from each other then locks the battery housing 30 to the computer housing 12 and allows rotatable motion of the battery housing 30 relative to the computer housing 12 .
- rotatable electrical contacts can be employed in place of the rotatable electrical contact 72 and mating electrical contact 76 herein shown while still maintaining rotatable electrical contact according to the principles of the invention.
- a standard rotatable jack such as a headphone jack could be employed.
- circular metallic contacts such as circular strips of copper could be located on the face of the cylindrical contact shown rather than circumferentially around it.
- the mating electrical contact 76 could then be a channel into which the cylindrical electrical contact 72 drops.
- the circular strips of copper would then mate with an opposing electrical contact on an inner face of the channel.
- the narrow portion 52 of the battery housing 30 could include straight metal pins extending lateral to its lengthwise direction which mate with cooperating sockets on the computer housing. The sockets would be shaped such that electrical contact is maintained throughout the range of motion of the pins as the battery housing 30 is rotated.
- a channel 102 extending in a direction along the axis of rotation 104 of the display screen 20 .
- the shape of the channel 102 complements the shape of the rear edge 24 of the display screen 20 so that the display screen 20 can rotate without interference between the rear edge 24 and the outwardly facing surface 78 of the battery housing 30 when the battery housing 30 is rotated into the closed position 34 .
- the rounded rear edge 24 of the display screen 20 rests in the U-shaped channel 102 .
- each wider end portion 62 which is located between the channel 102 and the computer housing 12 when the battery housing 30 is rotated into the closed position 34 is radiused so that the battery housing 30 can rotate between the closed position 34 and the open position 38 without interference with the rear edge 24 of the display screen 20 .
- the very thin notebook computer herein described is but one of the many possible advantageous electronic device arrangements which can conceivably be obtained through application of the broad principle of the present invention is which provides for the movable attachment of a battery housing to an electronic apparatus.
- the very thin notebook computer 10 having a movable battery housing 30 mounted external to the computer housing 12 as presented herein is intended as only one example of this application of the present invention. Many arrangements falling within this computer application of the broad principle are conceivable.
- the battery housing 30 is shown as rotatably mounted on the computer housing 12
- the battery housing 30 could be movably mounted on the computer housing 12 by other means; for instance, by a sliding mechanism which would cause the battery housing 30 to slide in a closed position downwards relative to the computer housing 12 , to an open position when the computer 10 is in use.
- the narrow portion 52 could be located at an end of the battery housing 30 , or a computer housing 12 with multiple extensions could conceivably mate with a battery housing 30 having multiple wider sections between which the multiple extensions of the computer housing 12 can mate.
- non-rotatable electrical contacts might be used, the battery housing being rendered movable by means other than rotatable electrical contacts.
- standard mechanical hinges could be employed for rotation while electrical contact is maintained via flexible wiring.
- the placement of the battery housing 30 external to the computer housing 12 is combined with a particular layout of the electronic components 14 within the computer housing 12 to provide the very thin notebook computer 10 .
- a generally rectangular keyboard assembly 106 located in the computer housing 12 is a generally rectangular keyboard assembly 106 , which includes the keyboard 16 and a keyboard baseplate 108 .
- a generally rectangular CPU motherboard 110 having component chips 112 mounted thereon is positioned directly below the keyboard assembly 106 .
- the CPU motherboard 110 is of generally the same major dimensions as the keyboard assembly 106 , the keyboard assembly 106 and motherboard 110 thereby defining a region ‘A’ within the enclosure.
- the remaining components 14 within the computer housing 12 reside in adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region.
- a DC to DC converter 114 adjacent to and generally coplanar with the region ‘A’ are placed a DC to DC converter 114 , a hard disk drive 116 , a trackball assembly 118 including the trackball 18 , and a PCMCIA option slot 120 .
- the DC to DC converter 114 , the hard disk drive 116 , the trackball assembly 118 , the PCMCIA option slot 120 , and the battery housing 30 all reside adjacent to and generally co-planar with each other and with the region ‘A’ and in which the keyboard assembly 106 and the motherboard 110 reside, resulting in a substantially thinner computer 10 than that provided by the prior art arrangement, wherein at least one of the hard disk drive 102 , PCMCIA 108 , or batteries 54 resides below the keyboard.
- the height 122 of the computer 10 when the display screen 20 is folded down onto the computer housing 12 is approximately 1.0 inches (FIG. 2).
- the display screen 20 is shown to be approximately 7.5 mm thick.
- the computer housing 12 is approximately 18 mm high, with the top wall 128 and bottom wall 130 being approximately 1.2 mm thick.
- the keyboard assembly 106 has a height 132 of approximately 8.6 mm, and is placed towards the rear side 28 of the computer housing 12 , directly above the motherboard 110 , which has a width 134 of approximately 1 mm and is placed approximately 2 mm below the keyboard baseplate 108 ( 136 ).
- a 12.5 mm hard disk drive 116 , a Dual Type II/Single Type III PCMCIA option slot 120 of less than 13 mm in height, and a trackball assembly 118 of less than 13 mm in height reside forward of, adjacent to, and coplanar with the the region ‘A’.
- a computer 10 having a total thickness of one inch results—thereby providing a 33%-70% thinness advantage over prior art notebook computers.
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Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to computer systems and particularly to portable “notebook” computer form factors.
- Users of personal computers have been liberated from the restrictions of desktop-only use with the introduction of portable “notebook” computers. The convenience and transportability of the notebook computer has produced a large and lucrative market for manufacturers of such machines. Portability is the key to the successful transport and use of a notebook computer in many different environments; therefore, notebook computer form factors are an exceedingly important consideration for the computer manufacturer seeking market share in this arena. The goal is to provide as thin and light-weight a machine as possible, while maintaining ease of usability of the machine.
- In the past, notebook computer form factors have been limited by the sizes and placement of the necessary components within the computer. The computer designer must judiciously arrange the CPU motherboard, keyboard and keyboard baseplate, hard disk drive, options such as PCMCIA slots, and the battery to provide the most compact form factor possible. To date, at least some of these components are placed beneath the keyboard baseplate, thereby sacrificing thinness in order to provide a convenient notebook computer length and width. To date, the thinnest notebook computer available is about one and one-half inches thick. It is desirable to provide an even thinner notebook computer form factor for the consumer market.
- According to the principles of the invnetion, there is provided a computer having a computer housing and a keyboard assembly in the housing. A motherboard is positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region, and a battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer. An exceptionally thin portable computer is thereby provided.
- More specifically, a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor are all located in a position forward of the region and in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with the region. The battery housing is movably attached to a rear side of the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer. According to this invention, a portable notebook computer is provided which is only one inch thick, and therefore at least 50% thinner than presently available portable notebook computers.
- FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a notebook computer, with its screen top open, embodying the principles of the invention;
- FIG. 2 is a top perspective view from the rear of the notebook computer of FIG. 1 with its top closed. The exteriorly mounted battery pack is shown in its closed position;
- FIG. 3 is a top perspective view from the rear of the notebook computer of FIGS.1-2 with its top closed. the battery pack is illustrated in the open position;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the computer from below. The under side of the notebook computer of FIG. 1 showing the rotatable and electric mounting of the battery pack;
- FIG. 5 is a elevation view of the battery pack housing, removed from its computer mounting, embodying the principles of the invention;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the computer of FIG. 1 with its screen top and battery pack removed;
- FIGS.7(a) and (b) are views of the electrical contact that couples one side of the battery housing to the computer housing;
- FIGS.8(a) and (b) are views of the joint for rotatably coupling the other side of the battery housing to the computer enclosure;
- FIGS.9(a) and (b) are views of the mating socket on the computer housing which accepts the joint of FIG. 8;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of, partly in section, of the keyboard assembly and motherboard within the computer enclosure of FIG. 1 arranged according to the principles of the invention;
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the layout of additional electrical components arranged within the computer enclosure of FIG. 1 in accordance with the principles of the invention;
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the region in the computer enclosure of FIG. 1 illustrating the region occupied by the keyboard assembly and motherboard when arranged as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
- FIG. 13 is a top view of the forward portion of the computer of FIG. 1 with electrical components indicated by dotted lines.
- In FIG. 1 there is shown a
portable notebook computer 10 embodying the principles of the invention. Thenotebook computer 10 includes a computer enclosure orcomputer housing 12, inside which the electronic components 14 (not shown) of thecomputer 10 reside (e.g. a CPU motherboard on which component chips reside, a hard disk drive, PCMCIA slot, etc). On the top side of thecomputer housing 12 is akeyboard 16 for entering data and atrackball 18 used to move a cursor device about adisplay screen 20. Thedisplay screen 20 is rotatably mounted via adisplay screen hinge 22 at itsrear edge 24 to thetop side 26 of thecomputer housing 12 at itsrear side 28. - On this
rear side 28 is mounted aseparate battery housing 30 which holds batteries 32 (FIG. 4) for supplying electrical power to the electronic components 14 within thecomputer housing 12. With thebattery housing 30 mounted external to thecomputer housing 12, it is possible to arrange the electronic components 14 within thecomputer housing 12 to provide a verythin notebook computer 10. - According to the principles of the invention, the
battery housing 30 is movably mounted on thecomputer housing 12 and dimensioned such that thebattery housing 30 can move between a closedposition 34 wherein thebattery housing 30 covers therear wall 36 at therear side 28 of the computer housing 12 (FIG. 2) and anopen position 38 wherein thebattery housing 30 serves to elevate therear wall 36 of thecomputer housing 12 to provide a convenient typing angle when thecomputer 10 is resting on a support surface 40 (FIG. 3). Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, thebattery housing 30 is shown rotatably mounted on thecomputer housing 12 such that thebattery housing 30 rotates between the closedposition 34 and theopen position 38. - In FIG. 3, it can be seen that on the
rear wall 36 of thecomputer housing 12 areconnectors 42 for electrically connecting thecomputer 10 to peripheral devices: serial communications lines, parallel printers, and the like. In FIG. 2, when thebattery housing 30 is rotated into the closedposition 34, it covers theconnectors 42, and thebottom sides computer housing 12 andbattery housing 30 respectively then provide a continuous flat surface 48. In FIG. 3, when thebattery housing 30 is shown rotated into theopen position 38, theconnectors 42 are exposed for use. Moreover, when rotated into theopen position 38, thebattery housing 30 serves to elevate therear side 28 of thecomputer housing 12 to anangle 50 comfortable for typing on thekeyboard 16. Acomfortable typing angle 50 is known to be generally between 5 and 10 degrees. - As shown in FIG. 3, the
battery housing 30 is an elongated housing having anarrow portion 52 and awide portion 54. Thenarrow portion 52 is placed such that it, is generally coextensive with theconnectors 42 on therear wall 36 of thecomputer housing 12 when thebattery housing 30 is mounted on thecomputer housing 12. The axis ofrotation 56 of the battery housing (FIG. 2) is shown to extend through thewide portion 54 of thebattery housing 30 so that when thebattery housing 30 is rotated into the closedposition 34 thenarrow portion 52 covers theconnectors 42, and when thebattery housing 30 is rotated into theopen position 38 there is provided above the narrow portion 52 aspace 58 through which theconnectors 42 are exposed. Preferrably, theconnectors 42 are positioned cenrally on therear wall 36 of thecomputer housing 12, and thenarrow portion 52 of thebattery housing 30 is positioned in thecenter 60 of thebattery housing 30 so that is is coextensive with theconnectors 42 when thebattery housing 30 is mounted on thecomputer housing 12. - In addition to being movable when mounted on the
computer housing 12, it is convenient, as shown, to have thebattery housing 30 removably mounted. Referring specifically to FIG. 5, thebattery housing 30 is shown removed from thecomputer housing 12. - Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the
battery housing 30 of FIG. 5 has thenarrow portion 52 and twowider end portions 62. In the embodiment shown, a total of sixbatteries 32 can be held within thebattery housing 30. Twobatteries 32 reside in adjacent relationship within eachwider end portion 62, and twobatteries 32 reside in lengthwise relationship within thenarrow portion 52. - The
wider end portions 62 of thebattery housing 30 form opposing inwardly facingsurfaces 64. Anopening 66 is formed between the opposing inwardly facingsurfaces 64, which forms thespace 58 through which theconnectors 42 are exposed when thebattery housing 30 is mounted on thecomputer housing 12 and rotated into the open position 38 (FIG. 3). - Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the
rear wall 36 of thecomputer housing 12 is shaped such that it has a central extendedportion 68. Theconnectors 42 are located on this central extendedportion 68. The central extendedportion 68 has opposite outwardly facingsides 70. When thebattery housing 30 is mounted on thecomputer housing 12, the central extendedportion 68 of thecomputer housing 12 is located between thewider end portions 62 of thebattery housing 30 such that the outwardly facingsides 70 of the central extendedportion 68 oppose the respective inwardly facingsurfaces 64 of thewider end portions 62 of thebattery housing 30. - The
battery housing 30 includes anelectrical contact 72 located at one of the inwardly facingsurfaces 64 effective to provide electrical power to thecomputer 10 during rotational movement of thebattery housing 30. When thebattery housing 30 is mounted on thecomputer housing 12, theelectrical contact 72 mates with a matingelectrical contact 76 located on the respective outwardly facingside 70 of the centralextended portion 68 of thecomputer housing 12. Electrical power is transferred between thebatteries 32 and the components 14 within thecomputer housing 12 via theelectrical contact 72 and matingelectrical contact 76. Preferrably, theelectrical contact 72 is rotatable to provide rotatable mounting of thebattery housing 30 to thecomputer housing 12 as well as the transfer of electrical power between thebatteries 32 and the matingelectrical contact 76. - Referring to FIGS. 7a and 7 b, the
electrical contact 72 and matingelectrical contact 76 are shown in further detail. Theelectrical contact 72 is a cylindrically shapedmember 80 on which several recessed copper contact strips 82 are circumferentially located. These contact strips 82 are electrically connected to thebatteries 32 within thebattery housing 30. HOW? The matingelectrical contact 76 located on thecomputer housing 12 is a U-shaped contact includingseveral copper sliders 84. When thebattery housing 30 is mounted on thecomputer housing 12, theelectrical contact 72 rests in the U-shaped contact such that the contact strips 82 electrically contact thesliders 84. Electrical power is then transferred from thebatteries 32 through the contact strips 82 to thesliders 84 and on to power regulation and distribution circuitry located within thecomputer housing 12 which supplies the required voltages to the various components 14 within thecomputer housing 12. According to the embodiment shown, thebatteries 32 are arranged two in series, three in parallel to provide 7.2 Volts at up to 4 Amps. - Referring now to FIGS. 4, 6,8, and 9, on the opposite inwardly facing
surface 64 of thebattery housing 30 is shown a joint 88 which mates with arotatable socket 90 located on the respective outwardly facingside 70 of the centralextended portion 68 of thecomputer housing 12. Thesocket 90 includes a key ortab 92 which fits into aslot 94 centrally located through the joint 88. Rotation of thebattery housing 30 is thus provided via the respective interactions between the rotatableelectrical contact 72 and matingelectrical contact 76, and between the joint 88 and therotatable socket 90. - As shown in FIG. 4, on the
bottom side 96 of thecomputer housing 12 two slidably mounted tab covers 98 slide to cover and uncover the mating electrical contact and therotatable socket 90. In order to remove thebattery housing 30 from thecomputer housing 12, thebattery housing 30 is rotated into theopen position 38 and the slidable tab covers 98 are slid toward each other to expose the rotatable connections. The open side of the U-shaped contact 100 is exposed, as is an open end of theslot 94. Thebattery housing 30 can then be lifted from thecomputer housing 12 so that the cylindricalelectrical contact 72 is lifted through the open end of the U-shaped matingelectrical contact 76, and thetab 92 of the joint 88 is lifted out of theslot 94. Thebattery housing 30 can be re-installed via the opposite motion wherein the cylindricalelectrical contact 72 is dropped into the U-shpaed matingelectrical contact 76 and thetab 92 is placed into theslot 94. Sliding the tab covers 98 away from each other then locks thebattery housing 30 to thecomputer housing 12 and allows rotatable motion of thebattery housing 30 relative to thecomputer housing 12. - Other rotatable electrical contacts can be employed in place of the rotatable
electrical contact 72 and matingelectrical contact 76 herein shown while still maintaining rotatable electrical contact according to the principles of the invention. For example, a standard rotatable jack such as a headphone jack could be employed. Or, circular metallic contacts such as circular strips of copper could be located on the face of the cylindrical contact shown rather than circumferentially around it. The matingelectrical contact 76 could then be a channel into which the cylindricalelectrical contact 72 drops. The circular strips of copper would then mate with an opposing electrical contact on an inner face of the channel. Alternatively, thenarrow portion 52 of thebattery housing 30 could include straight metal pins extending lateral to its lengthwise direction which mate with cooperating sockets on the computer housing. The sockets would be shaped such that electrical contact is maintained throughout the range of motion of the pins as thebattery housing 30 is rotated. - Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, on the outwardly facing
surface 78 of each of thewider end portions 62 of thebattery housing 30 is formed achannel 102 extending in a direction along the axis ofrotation 104 of thedisplay screen 20. The shape of thechannel 102 complements the shape of therear edge 24 of thedisplay screen 20 so that thedisplay screen 20 can rotate without interference between therear edge 24 and the outwardly facingsurface 78 of thebattery housing 30 when thebattery housing 30 is rotated into theclosed position 34. As shown in FIG. x, the roundedrear edge 24 of thedisplay screen 20 rests in theU-shaped channel 102. - Furthermore, the
portion 105 of the outwardly facingsurface 78 of eachwider end portion 62 which is located between thechannel 102 and thecomputer housing 12 when thebattery housing 30 is rotated into theclosed position 34 is radiused so that thebattery housing 30 can rotate between theclosed position 34 and theopen position 38 without interference with therear edge 24 of thedisplay screen 20. - The very thin notebook computer herein described is but one of the many possible advantageous electronic device arrangements which can conceivably be obtained through application of the broad principle of the present invention is which provides for the movable attachment of a battery housing to an electronic apparatus.
- Furthermore, the very
thin notebook computer 10 having amovable battery housing 30 mounted external to thecomputer housing 12 as presented herein is intended as only one example of this application of the present invention. Many arrangements falling within this computer application of the broad principle are conceivable. For instance, though thebattery housing 30 is shown as rotatably mounted on thecomputer housing 12, thebattery housing 30 could be movably mounted on thecomputer housing 12 by other means; for instance, by a sliding mechanism which would cause thebattery housing 30 to slide in a closed position downwards relative to thecomputer housing 12, to an open position when thecomputer 10 is in use. - Moreover, though a
computer housing 12 with a single centralextended portion 68 for mating with abattery housing 30 having a centralnarrow portion 52 and twowider end portions 62 has been described, thenarrow portion 52 could be located at an end of thebattery housing 30, or acomputer housing 12 with multiple extensions could conceivably mate with abattery housing 30 having multiple wider sections between which the multiple extensions of thecomputer housing 12 can mate. - Then, too, non-rotatable electrical contacts might be used, the battery housing being rendered movable by means other than rotatable electrical contacts. For example, standard mechanical hinges could be employed for rotation while electrical contact is maintained via flexible wiring.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, the placement of the
battery housing 30 external to thecomputer housing 12 is combined with a particular layout of the electronic components 14 within thecomputer housing 12 to provide the verythin notebook computer 10. Referring now to the assembly views of FIGS. 10-13, located in thecomputer housing 12 is a generallyrectangular keyboard assembly 106, which includes thekeyboard 16 and akeyboard baseplate 108. A generally rectangular CPU motherboard 110 havingcomponent chips 112 mounted thereon is positioned directly below thekeyboard assembly 106. As shown, the CPU motherboard 110 is of generally the same major dimensions as thekeyboard assembly 106, thekeyboard assembly 106 and motherboard 110 thereby defining a region ‘A’ within the enclosure. The remaining components 14 within thecomputer housing 12 reside in adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. - In particular, adjacent to and generally coplanar with the region ‘A’ are placed a DC to
DC converter 114, ahard disk drive 116, atrackball assembly 118 including thetrackball 18, and aPCMCIA option slot 120. According to this arrangement, the DC toDC converter 114, thehard disk drive 116, thetrackball assembly 118, thePCMCIA option slot 120, and thebattery housing 30 all reside adjacent to and generally co-planar with each other and with the region ‘A’ and in which thekeyboard assembly 106 and the motherboard 110 reside, resulting in a substantiallythinner computer 10 than that provided by the prior art arrangement, wherein at least one of thehard disk drive 102,PCMCIA 108, orbatteries 54 resides below the keyboard. - Referring in addition to FIG. 2, as shown, the
height 122 of thecomputer 10 when thedisplay screen 20 is folded down onto thecomputer housing 12 is approximately 1.0 inches (FIG. 2). Thedisplay screen 20 is shown to be approximately 7.5 mm thick. Thecomputer housing 12 is approximately 18 mm high, with thetop wall 128 andbottom wall 130 being approximately 1.2 mm thick. Thekeyboard assembly 106 has aheight 132 of approximately 8.6 mm, and is placed towards therear side 28 of thecomputer housing 12, directly above the motherboard 110, which has awidth 134 of approximately 1 mm and is placed approximately 2 mm below the keyboard baseplate 108 (136). A 12.5 mmhard disk drive 116, a Dual Type II/Single Type IIIPCMCIA option slot 120 of less than 13 mm in height, and atrackball assembly 118 of less than 13 mm in height reside forward of, adjacent to, and coplanar with the the region ‘A’. Acomputer 10 having a total thickness of one inch results—thereby providing a 33%-70% thinness advantage over prior art notebook computers. - Also, though the embodiment shown presents a layout wherein the
hard disk drive 116,trackball assembly 118, andPCMCIA option slot 120 are located in front of thekeyboard assembly 106, the respective positions of these components can conceivably be reversed to obtain the same thinness advantage. - It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed. The present disclosure is merely illustrative, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.
Claims (7)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/942,343 US6456488B1 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2001-08-29 | One inch notebook computer |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US35036694A | 1994-12-06 | 1994-12-06 | |
US09/504,526 US6307740B1 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2000-02-15 | One inch notebook computer |
US09/942,343 US6456488B1 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2001-08-29 | One inch notebook computer |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/504,526 Continuation US6307740B1 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2000-02-15 | One inch notebook computer |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020030969A1 true US20020030969A1 (en) | 2002-03-14 |
US6456488B1 US6456488B1 (en) | 2002-09-24 |
Family
ID=23376399
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/504,526 Expired - Lifetime US6307740B1 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2000-02-15 | One inch notebook computer |
US09/921,215 Expired - Lifetime US6426871B2 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2001-08-02 | One inch notebook computer |
US09/942,343 Expired - Fee Related US6456488B1 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2001-08-29 | One inch notebook computer |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/504,526 Expired - Lifetime US6307740B1 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2000-02-15 | One inch notebook computer |
US09/921,215 Expired - Lifetime US6426871B2 (en) | 1994-12-06 | 2001-08-02 | One inch notebook computer |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US6307740B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3025416U (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050200607A1 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2005-09-15 | Neal Thomas S. | Keyboard with a switch-membrane assembly circuit-node support located in a cavity |
US20060079277A1 (en) * | 1997-04-04 | 2006-04-13 | Ditzik Richard J | Notebook computer with replaceable battery unit |
US20170139447A1 (en) * | 2013-01-31 | 2017-05-18 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Hinge assembly |
Families Citing this family (19)
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JP3025416U (en) * | 1994-12-06 | 1996-06-21 | ディジタル イクイプメント コーポレイション | 1 inch high notebook computer |
US6452795B1 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2002-09-17 | Inventec Appliances Corp. | Battery pack with support mechanism for notebook |
US20020179549A1 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2002-12-05 | Chris Felcman | System and method for mounting a keyboard and display assembly in a 1U rack space |
US7068499B2 (en) * | 2001-06-25 | 2006-06-27 | Chrono Data Llc. | Modular computer user interface system |
US6697251B1 (en) * | 2001-06-25 | 2004-02-24 | Alain Aisenberg | Modular computer user interface system |
US6612668B2 (en) * | 2001-08-24 | 2003-09-02 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Portable computer with articulate base |
KR100654770B1 (en) * | 2004-12-20 | 2006-12-08 | 삼성전자주식회사 | portable computer |
CN100377032C (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2008-03-26 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Main board for notebook computer |
CN100442962C (en) * | 2005-08-24 | 2008-12-10 | 华硕电脑股份有限公司 | Folded electronic device |
JP2009151719A (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2009-07-09 | Toshiba Corp | Portable apparatus |
KR101474754B1 (en) * | 2008-01-30 | 2014-12-19 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Portable information terminal |
CN102076200B (en) * | 2009-11-24 | 2014-11-05 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Electronic equipment |
TWI401378B (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2013-07-11 | Compal Electronics Inc | Portable electronic device |
JP2012173878A (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2012-09-10 | Toshiba Corp | Electronic apparatus |
KR101828409B1 (en) * | 2011-06-07 | 2018-02-12 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Battery cover assembly with sliding door and portable electronic device with the battery cover assembly |
US9354670B2 (en) * | 2013-08-26 | 2016-05-31 | General Electric Company | Apparatus and method for pivot attachment |
TWI672577B (en) * | 2018-04-17 | 2019-09-21 | 宏碁股份有限公司 | Laptop computer |
TWI739415B (en) * | 2019-05-07 | 2021-09-11 | 仁寶電腦工業股份有限公司 | Multi-mode notebook computer |
US10928865B1 (en) * | 2019-11-14 | 2021-02-23 | Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Electronic apparatus |
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KR930004896Y1 (en) | 1990-07-11 | 1993-07-26 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | Lap top computer w/tilting mechanism |
IT227496Y1 (en) | 1992-03-12 | 1997-12-15 | Olivetti & Co Spa | "SELF-POWERED PORTABLE CALCULATOR" |
GB9208524D0 (en) | 1992-04-21 | 1992-06-03 | Scherbatskoy Serge Alexander | Measurement while drilling |
US5422784A (en) | 1992-07-27 | 1995-06-06 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Housing arrangement for a data processing apparatus having a removably mounted circuit board above an opening in a top shell |
US5416730A (en) | 1993-11-19 | 1995-05-16 | Appcon Technologies, Inc. | Arm mounted computer |
JP3025416U (en) * | 1994-12-06 | 1996-06-21 | ディジタル イクイプメント コーポレイション | 1 inch high notebook computer |
-
1995
- 1995-12-04 JP JP1995012787U patent/JP3025416U/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-02-15 US US09/504,526 patent/US6307740B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-08-02 US US09/921,215 patent/US6426871B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-08-29 US US09/942,343 patent/US6456488B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060079277A1 (en) * | 1997-04-04 | 2006-04-13 | Ditzik Richard J | Notebook computer with replaceable battery unit |
US7509142B2 (en) * | 1997-04-04 | 2009-03-24 | Richard Joseph Ditzik | Notebook computer with replaceable battery unit |
US20050200607A1 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2005-09-15 | Neal Thomas S. | Keyboard with a switch-membrane assembly circuit-node support located in a cavity |
US20170139447A1 (en) * | 2013-01-31 | 2017-05-18 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Hinge assembly |
US9983636B2 (en) * | 2013-01-31 | 2018-05-29 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Hinge assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6307740B1 (en) | 2001-10-23 |
JP3025416U (en) | 1996-06-21 |
US20010043457A1 (en) | 2001-11-22 |
US6456488B1 (en) | 2002-09-24 |
US6426871B2 (en) | 2002-07-30 |
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