Fastenerless Hinge which Enables Thin Form Factor Low Cost Design

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016378146-A1
Application number	US-201514752938-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 27, 2015
Priority date	Jun 27, 2015
Publication date	Dec 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a fastenerless hinge system which enables a thin form factor low cost design. A hinge system described herein may include a hinge bracket and a hinge wing. The hinge bracket includes an elevated portion thereby providing a hollow region and one or more spring tabs. The hinge wing is slidably coupled to the hinge bracket through the hollow portion. Advantageously, a hinge system consistent with the present disclosure does not include fasteners such that the “Z” height of the computing device may be minimized in addition to reducing costs.

First claim

1 . A hinge assembly, comprising:
a hinge bracket; wherein the hinge bracket has an elevated portion thereby providing a hollow portion and at least one spring tab; and a hinge wing slidably coupled to the hinge bracket through the hollow portion of the hinge bracket.

2 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 further comprising a friction dampening component disposed between the hinge bracket and the hinge wing.

3 . The hinge assembly of claim 2 , wherein the friction dampening component includes a viscoelastic material.

4 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one spring tab is disposed on the hinge bracket external to the elevated portion of the hinge bracket.

5 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge wing and the hinge bracket include an alignment component.

6 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge wing and the hinge bracket includes a mechanical stop component.

7 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge wing includes a plurality of insert tabs.

8 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge wing is coupled to a hinge pin.

9 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge bracket contains at least one recess to receive the at least one spring tab.

10 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge bracket or the hinge wing comprises sheet metal steel.

11 . A hinge assembly, comprising:
a hinge bracket; wherein the hinge bracket has an elevated portion thereby providing a hollow portion and at least one spring tab; and a hinge wing slidably coupled to the hinge bracket through the hollow portion; wherein the hinge wing has at least one spring tab.

12 . The hinge assembly of claim 11 , wherein the hinge bracket contains at least one recess to receive the at least one spring tab.

13 . The hinge assembly of claim 11 , wherein the hinge wing has two spring tabs disposed thereto.

14 . The hinge assembly of claim 11 , wherein the at least one spring tab has a spring force in the range of 0.75 lbs and 1.0 lbs.

15 . The hinge assembly of claim 11 further comprising a hinge pin coupled to the hinge wing wherein the hinge pin coupled to a torque engine.

16 . A notebook device, comprising:
a chassis supporting electronic circuitry therein; and a hinge assembly coupled to the chassis, the hinge assembly comprising:
a hinge bracket;
wherein the hinge bracket has an elevated portion thereby providing a hollow portion and at least one spring tab; and
a hinge wing slidably coupled to the hinge bracket through the hollow portion.

17 . The notebook device of claim 16 , wherein the notebook device is a 2-in-1 device.

18 . The notebook device of claim 16 , wherein the hinge bracket is within the chassis.

19 . The notebook device of claim 16 , wherein a portion of the hinge bracket is translucent.

20 . The notebook device of claim 16 , wherein the height of the hinge assembly is between 1.8 mm and 2.8 mm.

21 . The notebook device of claim 16 , wherein the at least one spring tab has a spring force in the range of 0.75 lbs and 1.0 lbs.

22 . The notebook device of claim 16 further comprising a hinge pin coupled to the hinge wing wherein the hinge pin coupled to a torque engine.

23 . The notebook device of claim 16 , wherein the dimensions of the hinge wing is approximately 10 mm by 15 mm.

24 . The notebook device of claim 16 , wherein the extraction force required to remove the hinge wing from the hinge bracket is greater than the insertion force required to insert the hinge wing into the hinge bracket.

25 . The notebook device of claim 24 , wherein the insertion force is between 1.0 lbs and 1.5 lbs and the extraction force is between 1.5 lbs and 2.0 lbs.

Assignees

• Intel Corp

Inventors

• Sprenger Mark E
• Arik Kenan
• Damm Drew G

Classifications

• F16C11/04

  Pivotal connections (hinges for doors, windows or wings E05D) · CPC title

• G06F1/1616

  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 · CPC title

• E05D7/1061 Primary

  in a radial direction (E05D7/1005 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E05D7/10

  to allow easy separation {or connection} of the parts at the hinge axis ({E05D5/12 and E05D15/50 take precedence } ; substitutes for hinges E05D1/06) · CPC title

• G06F1/16

  Constructional details or arrangements · CPC title