Multi-pivot hinge

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016147267-A1
Application number	US-201414555184-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 26, 2014
Priority date	Nov 26, 2014
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include a sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first portion and the second portion. The sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly can include rotation control elements configured to control a relative order of rotation around axes of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly.

First claim

1 . A computing device, comprising:
a first portion that includes a display screen and a second portion that includes an input device; and, a sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first portion and the second portion from a storage position where the first portion is juxtaposed over the second portion to a deployed position where the first portion is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the first portion, the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly comprising multiple hinge stacks and rotation control elements; individual hinge stacks coupled to the first and second portions and comprising multiple radially arranged links that rotate around individual hinge axes, individual rotation control elements interposed between individual adjacent links to control a relative order of rotation of the individual adjacent links depending upon whether the first portion and second portion are being rotated from the storage position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the storage position.

2 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the rotation control elements comprise sequencing pins.

3 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the individual links have opposing offset first and second regions connected by a central region, wherein individual first regions define first passageways and individual second regions define second passageways that are parallel to the first passageways, an individual first region of an individual first link rotatably secured to an individual second region of an individual second link by a shaft that defines an individual axis of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly, and wherein an individual second region of a third individual link is secured to a first region of the second individual link via a second shaft.

4 . The computing device of claim 3 , wherein the central region of the first link partially defines a channel in which an individual sequencing pin resides and wherein the individual first region of the individual first link defines a first cam surface and the individual second region of the third individual link defines a second cam surface and wherein a relative position of the individual sequencing pin relative to the first and second cam surfaces determines whether the second individual link can rotate relative to the first individual link.

5 . The computing device of claim 4 , wherein the shaft has a circular profile when viewed transverse the axis of rotation or wherein the shaft is not circular.

6 . The computing device of claim 5 , wherein the shaft is key shaped and a profile of an individual first passageway of the first link matches a profile of the shaft and a profile of an individual second passageway of the second link is circular.

7 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the rotation control elements prevent rotation around a second individual hinge axis until a first individual hinge axis has completed a defined number of degrees of rotation.

8 . The computing device of claim 7 , wherein the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly is configured to create a larger footprint of the computing device in the deployed position than in the storage position.

9 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly further comprises a rotation limiter to limit rotation around each axis of rotation to a defined number of degrees.

10 . The computing device of claim 7 , wherein the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly is visible when in both the storage position and the deployed position.

11 . The computing device of claim 1 , further comprising a hinge cover.

12 . The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the hinge cover comprises multiple rigid hinge covers or wherein the hinge cover comprises a flexible hinge cover that extends from the first portion to the second portion.

13 . A computing device, comprising:
a first portion and a second portion; and, a sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first portion and the second portion and comprising rotation control elements configured to control a relative order of rotation around axes of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly.

14 . The computing device of claim 13 , wherein the rotation control elements comprise locking cam members that engage cam surfaces defined on links that rotate around individual axes of rotation.

15 . The computing device of claim 14 , wherein the locking cam members comprise elongate sequencing pins oriented parallel to the axes of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly.

16 . The computing device of claim 13 , wherein the second portion defines a footprint of the computing device when the first portion is juxtaposed over the second portion in a storage position and when the first portion is rotated away from the second portion to an obtuse angle, the rotation control elements expand the footprint.

17 . The computing device of claim 16 , further comprising electronic components positioned in the first portion and wherein a center of mass of the computing device is located above the expanded footprint.

18 . A hinge, comprising:
a first interface and a second interface; and, a sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first interface and the second interface to control rotation around individual axes starting proximate to the second interface when rotating the first and second interfaces apart and starting proximate to the first interface when moving the first and second interfaces toward one another.

19 . The hinge of claim 18 , wherein the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly comprises rotation control elements, and wherein when the first and second interfaces are moving apart, the rotation control elements prevent rotation around an individual axis that is proximate to the first interface until rotation around another individual axis that is proximate to the second interface has completed a defined angle of rotation, and wherein when the first and second interfaces are moving toward one another the rotation control elements prevent rotation around the another individual axis until rotation around the individual axis has completed the defined angle of rotation.

20 . The hinge of claim 18 , wherein the first interface comprises:
an electrical connector; and a mechanical latch.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Campbell John
• Bitz Brian
• Tazbaz Errol Mark

Classifications

• H04M1/0216

  Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge · CPC title

• G06F1/1681 Primary

  Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683) · CPC title

• E05D7/12

  to allow easy detachment of the hinge from the wing or the frame {(E05D15/507 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• E05D11/0054

  Covers, e.g. for protection · CPC title

• E05D11/1014

  for maintaining the hinge in only one position, e.g. closed · CPC title