WO2019074522A1

WO2019074522A1 - Hinge mechanisms including magnetic repulsion forces

Info

Publication number: WO2019074522A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/056582
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kuan-Ting Wu; Kuo-Chih Huang; Chi-Hao Chang
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2017-10-13
Filing date: 2017-10-13
Publication date: 2019-04-18

Abstract

Examples herein relate to a hinge mechanism. In some examples, a hinge mechanism can include a shaft, a hinge connected to the shaft, a first member connected to the hinge, a second member connected to the hinge, where the first member translates relative to the second member from a first position to a second position as the hinge rotates about an axis of the shaft, and a first magnet to generate a magnetic repulsion force between a distal end of the first member and a distal end of the second member.

Description

HINGE MECHANISES INCLUDING MAGNETIC REPULSION FORCES

Background

[0001] Electronic devices may include a display. A display can present images, text, and/or video electronically to a user. A user may give an input to the electronic device via the touch screen display. The display may be oriented in a manner to allow a user to easily view the display. In some examples, the electronic device may include a display that can be opened or closed via a hinge mechanism.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of an electronic device that includes a hinge mechanism consistent with the disclosure.

[0003] Fig 2 illustrates a side view of an electronic device that includes a hinge mechanism consistent with the disclosure.

[0004] Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of an electronic device that includes a hinge mechanism consistent with the disclosure.

Detailed Description

[0005] Electronic devices may include a display. An electronic device may include rotatable components to hide the display. For example, a user may close the electronic device to shield the display. As used herein, the term "display" can, for example, refer to a device which can provide information to a user and/or receive information from a user. For instance, a display can include a graphical user interface (GUI) that can provide and/or receive information to and/or from a user.

[0006] Electronic devices including rotatable components may include a hinge mechanism. For example, a hinge mechanism can be utilized for facilitating rotation of the rotatable components to allow the display to be viewed at various angles or to be hidden. As used herein, the term "hinge mechanism" can, for example, refer to a mechanical connection that connects two objects such that the two objects can rotate relative to each other along an angle of rotation about a fixed axis of rotation. For example, a display of a computing device can be rotated such that the display may be viewed at various angles or hidden. In this example, the hinge mechanism can be coupled to the display and coupled to a keyboard or an additional display. In these examples, the hinge mechanism can be utilized to facilitate rotation of the display and keyboard/additional display around a shaft of the hinge mechanism.

[0007] Electronic devices including displays may experience a force in response to a vibration. The display may rotate along an angle of rotation as a result of the vibration, a user closing the display, the device being dropped, and/or an item being placed on the device. In some examples, the rotation of the display can cause the display to rotate and contact another surface, for example a top case and/or keyboard. In some examples, the display may be damaged or develop defects such as wear-off marks, white spots, and/or other defects as a result of the contact. For example, the electronic device can be a laptop computer, in this example, the laptop computer can include a hinge mechanism between a display and a keyboard that can allow the display and keyboard to be positioned at a plurality of different angles, in this example, a force or vibration can be applied to the laptop computer such that the display and the keyboard make contact. In this example, the display or the keyboard can be damaged when the display and keyboard make contact.

[0008] Accordingly, the disclosure is directed to a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism can prevent a display from contacting another surface, in various examples according to the disclosure, the hinge mechanism having a magnetic repulsion force can resist rotation and maintain an angle at which the display may not contact another surface when exposed to vibration, a user closing the display, the device being dropped, and/or an item being placed on the device.

[0009] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of an example of an electronic device 100- 1 , 100-2 that includes a hinge mechanism 104-1 , 104-2 consistent with the disclosure. Hinge mechanism 104-1 , 04-2 can include a shaft 102-1 , 102-2, a first member 106-1 , 108-2, a second member 108-1 , 08-2, and a magnet 12-1 , 1 12-2. In some examples, the electronic device 100-1 can represent an electronic device in a first position (e.g., an open position) and the electronic device 100-2 can represent an electronic device in a second position (e.g., closed position).

[0010] The electronic device 100-1 , 00-2 can generally be referred to as electronic device 100, The hinge mechanism 104-1 , 104-2 can generally be referred to as hinge mechanism 104. The shaft 102-1 , 102-2 can generally be referred to as shaft 102. The first member 108-1 , 108-2 and the second member 108-1 , 108-2 can generally be referred to as the first member 106 and the second member 108. In addition, the magnet 1 12-1 , 112-2 can generally be referred to as magnet 12. Thus, elements having a "- and "-2" may not be different elements, but may be the same element illustrated when the electronic device 100 is in a different position. For example, the hinge mechanism 104 can rotate from the first position to the second position about shaft 02 in a counterclockwise direction as indicated in Fig. 1.

[0011] The electronic device 100 can include a first member 106. As used herein, the term "member" can, for example, refer to a case to connect to and/or support a display and/or a keyboard. For example, the first member 106 can be a case of a laptop computer that is utilized to couple a display. That is, the first member 106 can be a display portion of a laptop computer. The first member 106 can be connected to the hinge mechanism 104 and/or the shaft 102. As used herein, the term "shaft" can, for example, refer to a device that allows another device to rotate around. For example, the shaft can be a cylindrical object such as a pin that allows a hinge mechanism to rotate around the pin. The first member 106 can be mounted or coupled to the hinge mechanism 104 via a number of attachment devices. For example, the first member 106 can be coupled to the hinge mechanism 104 via a number of screws, rivets, pins, or other types of attachment devices.

[0012] Electronic device 100 can include a second member 108. The second member 108 can be connected to the first member 106 via the hinge mechanism 104. For example, the first member 106 can be coupled to a first side of the hinge mechanism 104 and the second member 108 can be coupled to a second side of the hinge mechanism 104. in this way, the first member 106 can be rotatabie around the shaft 102 and the second member 108 can also be rotatabie around the shaft 102. in some examples, the second member 108 can remain static when the first member 106 and the first side of the hinge mechanism 104 are rotated. In some examples, the first member 106 can remain static when the second member 08 and the second side of the hinge mechanism 104 are rotated. In some examples, the first member 106 and the second member 108 can simultaneously be rotated around the shaft 102.

[0013] The second member 108 can comprise a material that is repulsed by the magnet 1 12. For example, the second member 108 can include a material that when positioned near the magnet 1 12 will create a repulsive force between the material of the second member 108 and the magnet 1 12. As used herein, the term "magnet" can, for example, refer to an object of a material that produces a magnetic field. For example, the magnet 1 2 can be iron, nickel, a nickel-iron alloy such as u-metal, and/or any other magnetic materials, composites, rare-earth magnets, other magnetic alloys, and/or other combinations of materials. The magnet 112 can generate a magnetic repulsion force between a distal end of the first member 106 and a distal end of the second member 108. The second member 108 can be a ferrimagnetic material. For example, second member 108 can include a material such as cobalt, iron, nickel, iron oxide, and/or any other magnetic materials, alloys, and/or other combinations of materials.

[0014] The first member 106 can translate, rotate, or otherwise move relative to the second member 108 from a first position to a second position as the hinge mechanism 104 rotates about an axis of the shaft 102. For example, first member 106-1 is at a first position (e.g. open position) and the first member 106-2 is at a second position (e.g. closed position). In some examples, the distance D1 1 14-1 can be a distance between the distal end of the first member 106-1 and the distal end of the second member 108-1 when the electronic device 100-1 is in an open position. In some examples, the distance D2 114-2 can be a distance between the distal end of the first member 106-2 and the distal end of the second member 108-2 when the electronic device 100-2 is in a closed position. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the distance D1 1 14-1 can be greater than the distance D2 1 4-2.

[0015] The magnetic repulsion force between the magnet 1 12 and the second member 108 can be higher at the second position than the first position. As described herein, the magnet 112 can generate a magnetic field that can be stronger at a position that is closer to the magnet 112 than at a position that is farther from the magnet 1 12. For example, the strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 1 12 can increase as the distance 1 14 between the distal end of the first member 106 and the distal end of the second member 108 decreases. Thus, the interaction of the repulsion force between the magnet 112 and the second member 08 can be relatively small at the distance D1 114-1 compared to the distance D2 14-2. In this way, the magnetic repulsion force may not affect the operation of the electronic device 100 when the electronic device 100 is in an open position as illustrated by electronic device 100-1.

[0018] In some examples, the distance D2 1 14-2 between the distal end of the first member 106-2 and the distal end of the second member 108-2 is less than 0.4 millimeters (mm) in response to the electronic device 100-2 being in a second position (e.g. dosed position). In some examples, the distance D2 114-2 between the distal end of the first member 106-2 and the distal end of the second member 108-2 can be greater than 0.24 mm when the electronic device 100-2 is disposed in a second position (e.g. closed position). In some examples, the distance 14 between the distal end of the first member 106 and the distal end of the second member 108 can prevent the first member 106 from contacting the second member 108. For example, the repulsion force between the magnet 1 12-2 and the second member 108-2 can prevent the distance D2 114-2 from being less than 0.24 mm, which can prevent contact between the first member 106 and the second member 108.

[0017] The electronic device 100 described herein can include a hinge mechanism 104 to allow the first member 106 and the second member 108 to rotate to a plurality of different positions. As described herein, previous systems can be damaged when a first member and a second member make contact. Thus, the magnet 1 12 and second member 108 can be utilized to prevent the first member 106 and the second member 108 from contacting each other and potentially damaging either or both of the first member 106 and the second member 108 of the electronic device 100.

[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of an example of an electronic device 200 that includes a hinge mechanism 204 consistent with the disclosure. The electronic device 200 can include a shaft 202, a hinge mechanism 204, a first member 206, a second member 208, a first magnet 212, and a second magnet 216.

[0019] The electronic device 200 can include a first member 206. As used herein, the term "member" can, for example, refer to a case to connect to and/or support a display and/or a keyboard. For example, the first member 206 can be a case of a laptop computer that is utilized to couple a display. That is, the first member 206 can be a display portion of a laptop computer. The first member 206 can be connected to the hinge mechanism 204 and/or the shaft 202. As used herein, the term "shaft" can, for example, refer to a device that allows another device to rotate around. For example, the shaft 202 can be a cylindrical object such as a pin that allows a hinge mechanism 204 to rotate around the pin. The first member 206 can be mounted or coupled to the hinge mechanism 204 via a number of attachment devices. For example, the first member 206 can be coupled to the hinge mechanism 204 via a number of screws, rivets, pins, or other types of attachment devices.

[0020] Electronic device 200 can include a second member 208, The second member 208 can be a top case of a computing device, for example. The second member 208 can be connected to the first member 208 via the hinge mechanism 204. For example, the first member 206 can be coupled to a first side of the hinge mechanism 204 and the second member 208 can be coupled to a second side of the hing mechanism 204. in this way, the first member 206 can be rotatabie around the shaft 202 and the second member 208 can also be rotatabie around the shaft 202. in some examples, the second member 208 can remain static when the first member 206 and the first side of the hinge mechanism 204 are rotated. In some examples, the first member 206 can remain static when the second member 208 and the second side of the hinge mechanism 204 are rotated. In some examples, the first member 206 and the second member 208 can simultaneously be rotated around the shaft 202.

[0021] The second member 208 can comprise a material that is repulsed by a first magnet 212. For example, the second member 208 can include a material that when positioned near the first magnet 212 will create a repulsive force between the material of the second member 208 and the first magnet 212. The material of the second member 208 can be a ferrimagnetic material. For example, the second member 208 can include a material such as cobalt, iron, nickel, iron oxide, and/or any other magnetic materials, alloys, and/or other combinations of materials.

[0022] In some examples, the second member 208 can include a second magnet 216 that can be repulsed by the first magnet 212. As used herein, the term "magnet" can, for example, refer to an object of a material that produces a magnetic field. For example, the first magnet 212 and/or the second magnet 216 can be iron, nickel, a nickel-iron alloy such as Mu-metai, and/or any other magnetic materials, composites, rare-earth magnets, other magnetic alloys, and/or other combinations of materials. The first magnet 212 and the second magnet 216 can generate a magnetic repulsion force between a distal end of the first member 208 and a distal end of the second member 208.

[0023] The first magnet 212 can be embedded into the first member 206 and/or attached to the first member 206. The distance between the first magnet 212 and the hinge 204 can determine the distance 214 between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208. In some examples, the distance between the first magnet 212 and the hinge 204 can be decreased, which can increase the distance 214 between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208.

[0024] The second magnet 216 can be embedded into the second member 208 and/or attached to the second member 208. The distance between the second magnet 216 and the hinge 204 can determine the distance D2 214 between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208. In some examples, the distance between the second magnet 216 and the hinge 204 can be increased, which can decrease the distance D2 214 between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208.

[002S] The first member 206 can translate, rotate, or otherwise move relative to the second member 208 from a first position to a second position as the hinge mechanism 204 rotates about an axis of the shaft 202. For example, first member 206 can be at a first position (e.g. open position) and translate to a second position (e.g. closed position), in some examples, the distance D2 214 can be a distance between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208 when the electronic device is in a closed position. A distance between the first magnet 212 and the second magnet 216 can be smaller at the dosed position than the open position. The magnetic repulsion force between the first magnet 212 and the second magnet 216 can be higher at the closed position than the open position. As described herein, the first magnet 212 can generate a magnetic field that can be stronger at a position that is closer to the second magnet 216 than at a position that is farther from the second magnet 216. For example, the strength of the magnetic field generated by the first magnet 212 can increase as the distance 214 between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208 decreases. Thus, the interaction of the repulsion force between the first magnet 212 and the second magnet 216 can be relatively small at distance D1 (e.g. distance D1 114-1 in Fig.1 ) compared to the distance D2 214. in this way, the magnetic repulsion force may not affect the operation of the electronic device 200 when the electronic device 200 is in an open position.

[0028] In some examples, the distance D2 214 between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208 is less than 0.4 millimeters (mm) in response to the electronic device 200 being in the open position. In some examples, the distance D2 214 between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208 can be greater than 0,24 mm when the electronic device 200 is disposed in the closed position. In some examples, the distance D2 214 between the distal end of the first member 206 and the distal end of the second member 208 can prevent the first member 206 from contacting the second member 208, For example, the repulsion force between the first magnet 212 and the second member 208 and/or the second magnet 216 can prevent the distance D2 2 4 from being less than 0.24 mm, which can prevent contact between the first member 206 and the second member 208.

[0027] The electronic device 200 described herein can include a hinge mechanism 204 to allow the first member 206 and the second member 208 to rotate to a plurality of different positions. As described herein, previous devices can be damaged when a first member and a second member make contact. Thus, the magnet 212 and the second member 208 and/or the second magnet 216 can be utilized to prevent the first member 206 and the second member 208 from contacting each other and potentially damaging either or both of the first member 206 and the second member 208 of the electronic device 200.

[0028] Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of an electronic device 300 that includes a hinge mechanism 304 consistent with the disclosure. The electronic device 300 can include a shaft 302, a hinge mechanism 304, a first member 306, a second member 308, and a computing device 338.

[0029] The electronic device 300 can include the first member 306. As used herein, the term "member" can, for example, refer to a case to connect to and/or support a display and/or a keyboard. For example, the first member 306 can be a case of a laptop computer that is utilized to couple a display. That is, the first member 306 can be a display portion of a laptop computer. The first member 306 can be connected to the hinge mechanism 304 and/or the shaft 302. As used herein, the term "shaft" can, for example, refer to a device that allows another device to rotate around. For example, the shaft can be a cylindrical object such as a pin that allows a hinge device to rotate around the pin. The first member 306 can be mounted or coupled to the hinge mechanism 304 via a number of attachment devices. For example, the first member 306 can be coupled to the hinge mechanism 304 via a number of screws, rivets, pins, or other types of attachment devices. [0030] The first member 308 can include a first magnet 312 and a second magnet 332. As used herein, the term "magnet" can, for example, refer to an object of a material that produces a magnetic field. For example, the first magnet 312 and/or the second magnet 332 can be iron, nickel, a nickel-iron alloy such as Mu- metai, and/or any other magnetic materials, composites, rare-earth magnets, other magnetic alloys, and/or other combinations of materials, in some examples, the first magnet 312 can include a first magnetic pole 342 and a second magnetic pole 346 and the second magnet 332 can include a third magnetic pole 348 and a fourth magnetic pole 352. As used herein, the term "magnetic pole" can, for example, refer to one of two ends of a magnet. For example, the first magnet 312 can include a first magnetic pole 342 that can be a north pole and a second magnetic pole 346 that can be a south pole.

[0031] Electronic device 300 can include a second member 308. The second member 308 can be a top case of a computing device, for example. The second member 308 can be connected to the first member 306 via the hinge mechanism 304. For example, the first member 306 can be coupled to a first side of the hinge mechanism 304 and the second member 308 can be coupled to a second side of the hing mechanism 304. in this way, the first member 306 can be rotatabie around the shaft 302 and the second member 308 can also be rotatabie around the shaft 302. in some examples, the second member 308 can remain static when first member 306 and the first side of the hinge mechanism 304 are rotated. In some examples, the first member 306 can remain static when the second member 308 and the second side of the hinge mechanism 304 are rotated. In some examples, the first member 306 and the second member 308 can simultaneously be rotated around the shaft 302.

[0032] The second member 308 can include a third magnet 316 and a fourth magnet 338. As used herein, the term "magnet" can, for example, refer to an object of a material that produces a magnetic field. For example, the third magnet 316 and/or the fourth magnet 338 can be iron, nickel, a nickel-iron alloy such as Mu- metai, and/or any other magnetic materials, composites, rare-earth magnets, other magnetic alloys, and/or other combinations of materials, in some examples, the third magnet can include a fifth magnetic pole 354 and a sixth magnetic pole 356 and the fourth magnet 336 can include a seventh magnetic pole 358 and an eighth magnetic pole 362. As used herein, the term "magnetic pole" can, for example, refer to one of two ends of a magnet. For example, the third magnet 318 can include a fifth magnetic pole 354 that can be a north pole and a sixth magnetic pole 358 that can be a south pole,

[0033] In some examples, the first magnetic pole 342 of the first magnet 312 and the fifth magnetic pole 354 of the third magnet 316 can be the same type of magnetic pole to create a magnetic repulsion force between the first member 306 and the second member 308. For example, the first magnetic pole 342 and the fifth magnetic pole 354 can be both north poles or both south poles. The second magnetic pole 346 of the first magnet 342 and the sixth magnetic pole 358 of the third magnet 316 can also be the same type of magnetic pole to create a magnetic repulsion force between the first member 306 and the second member 308. The magnetic repulsion force created by the first magnet 342 and the third magnet 316 can prevent the first member 308 from contacting the second member 308, for example.

[0034] In some examples, the third magnetic pole 348 of the second magnet 332 and the seventh magnetic pole 358 of the fourth magnet 336 can be the same type of magnetic pole to create a magnetic repulsion force between the first member 306 and the second member 308. The fourth magnetic pole 352 of the second magnet 332 and the eighth magnetic pole 382 of the fourth magnet 336 can also be the same type of magnetic pole to create a magnetic repulsion force between the first member 306 and the second member 308, The magnetic repulsion force created by the second magnet 332 and the fourth magnet 336 can prevent the first member 306 from contacting the second member 308, for example.

[0035] The computing device 338 can be, for example, a laptop computer, a tablet, among other types of computing devices. In some examples, the computing device 338 can include the shaft 302, the hinge 304, the first member 306, and the second member.

[0036] The electronic device 300 described herein can include a hinge mechanism 304 to allow the first member 306 and the second member 308 to rotate to a plurality of different positions. As described herein, previous systems can be damaged when a first member and a second member make contact. Thus, the first magnet 342, the second magnet 332, the third magnet 316, and/or the fourth magnet 336 can be utilized to prevent the first member 306 and the second member 308 from contacting each other and potentially damaging either or both of the first member 306 and the second member 308 of the electronic device.

[0037] It can be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to", "coupled to", or "coupled with" another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is "directly coupled to" or "directly coupled with" another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc.

[0038] In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, as used herein, "a" can refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.

[0039] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral 100 may refer to element 102 in Fig. 1 and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral 202 in Fig. 2. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated to provide additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense

[0040] The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the use of the system and method of the disclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible examples and implementations.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hinge mechanism, comprising:

a shaft;

a hinge connected to the shaft;

a first member connected to the hinge;

a second member connected to the hinge, wherein the second member translates relative to the first member from a first position to a second position as the hinge rotates about an axis of the shaft; and

a first magnet to generate a magnetic repulsion force between a distal end of the first member and a distal end of the second member.

2. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein a distance between the distal end of the first member and the distal end of the second member is smaller at the second position than the first position.

3. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic repulsion force is higher at the second position than the first position.

4. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first member includes the first magnet and the second member includes a second magnet.

5. The hinge mechanism of claim 4, wherein the first magnet includes a first magnetic pole and the second magnet includes a second magnetic pole that is the same as the first magnetic pole.

6. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein a distance between the distal end of the first member and the distal end of the second member is less than 0.4mm in response to the hinge mechanism being in a closed position.

7. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein a distance between the distal end of the first member and the distal end of the second member is greater than 0.24 mm if the hinge mechanism is disposed in a closed position.

8. The hinge mechanism of claim 7, wherein the distance between the distal end of the first member and the distal end of the second member prevents the first member from contacting the second member,

9. A hinge mechanism, comprising:

a shaft;

a hinge connected to the shaft;

a first member connected to the hinge;

a second member connected to the hinge, wherein the second member moves relative to the first member from a first position to a second position as the hinge rotates about an axis of the shaft;

a first magnet connected to the first member; and

a second magnet connected to the second member, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet generate a magnetic repulsion force between a distal end of the first member and a dista! end of the second member.

10. The hinge mechanism of claim 9, wherein a distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is smaller at the second position than the first position.

1 . The hinge mechanism of claim 9, wherein the magnetic repulsion force increases as a distance between the distal end of the first member and the distal end of the second member decreases.

12. The hinge mechanism of claim 9, wherein the first member is a display and the second member is a top case.

13. A system, comprising:

a computing device; and

a hinge mechanism connected to the computing device, wherein the hinge mechanism includes:

a shaft;

a hinge connected to the shaft;

a first member connected to the hinge; a second member connected to the hinge, wherein the second member translates relative to the first member from a first position to a second position as the hinge rotates about an axis of the shaft; and

14, The system of claim 13, wherein the first member is connected to the first magnet.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the system further includes a second magnet connected to the second member.