Translation pivot hinge

Abstract

As the hinge rotates the housing portions between the open and closed positions, the portable information processing system pivots the hinge rotation axis to manage the gap between the housing portions. For example, the hinge couples a base at a perimeter of one housing portion, the base having a body that slides on a sliding member of the base and supports a bracket that extends inward to couple to another housing portion. A bracket gear engages a pinion included in the body to transfer bracket rotational motion through the pinion to a rack integrated in the base, thereby sliding the body relative to the base as the housing portions rotate such that the distance between the housing portions adjusts with the rotational orientation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of portable information handling system housing hinges, and more particularly to an information handling system translation pivot hinge. BACKGROUND

[0002] As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and / or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems can also vary regarding the information handling capabilities of the computer system, the information storage components used, and the information storage components and the information storage components and the information storage components that a system actually employs. By way of example, an information handling system can be specialized for

[0003] Portable information handling systems integrate processing components, displays, and power sources in a portable housing to support mobile operation. Portable information handling systems allow an end user to carry the system between meetings, during travel, and between home and office locations so that the end user can have processing capabilities while mobile. Portable information handling systems with convertible configurations typically include multiple independent housing portions that are rotatably coupled to one another to convert the system between a closed position and an open position. For example, a main housing portion integrates processing components and a keyboard and is rotatably coupled through a hinge to a lid housing portion that integrates a display. In a clamshell position, the lid housing portion is rotated approximately ninety degrees to an elevated position above the main housing portion so that an end user can enter input while viewing the display. After use, the convertible information handling system rotates the lid housing portion to a closed position above the main housing portion to protect the keyboard and display, thus reducing the system footprint to improve storage and mobility.

[0004] One difficulty faced by convertible portable information handling systems is that processing components in the main housing portion tend to generate heat energy that can cause operating temperatures to exceed component constraints. While cooling fans that generate cooling air flow can help reduce interior housing temperatures, thin housing profiles tend to constrain air flow with relatively high air flow resistance. One way to reduce air flow resistance is to use the entire height of the housing to support air flow intake and / or exhaust by coupling the lid housing portion to rotate about an axis that is disposed forward from the rear of the main housing portion. The effect of this approach is to provide the entire height of the rear side of the housing to allow air flow through and couple the lid housing portion with a seam that is visible from above the information handling system. One difficulty faced by coupling the lid housing portion at the main housing portion upper surface is that a certain amount of gap is typically required along the seam between the main housing portion and the lid housing portion to provide space for the lid housing portion to open and close unimpeded as the lid housing portion rotates relative to the main housing portion. The amount of gap varies based on housing size and tends to increase as the thickness of the lid housing portion increases. SUMMARY

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method that shifts the information handling system lid housing portion pivot axis as the housing pivots between the open and closed positions.

[0006] According to the present invention, a system and method is provided that substantially reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for managing information handling system pivot axes when the housing is rotated between open and closed positions. Rotation of the first and second portions of the housing about the hinge is translated into a sliding movement of the hinge pivot axis to adjust the distance between the first and second housing portions based on the rotational orientation. Reducing the distance between the housing portions in the closed position minimizes the gap that appears at the information handling system upper surface.

[0007] More specifically, the portable information processing system processes information through processing components disposed within a portable housing having a main housing portion rotatably connected to a cover housing portion via a first hinge and a second hinge. For example, the processing components include a processor that executes instructions to process information, a memory that stores the instructions and information, and a display that presents the information as a visual image. The first and second hinges allow the housing portions to rotate about a pivot axis that shifts laterally forward and backward as the housing rotates and its orientation changes to adjust the distance between the housing portions. For example, the main housing portion has a full housing height at the rear side to help facilitate the dissipation of excess heat from the housing and has a forward-extending upper side extending from the rear of the housing to a midpoint where the rear side of the cover housing portion intersects the main housing portion along a seam. The hinge pivot axis shifts backward as the housing rotates to a closed position to minimize the size of the seam and shifts forward as the housing rotates to an open position to ensure sufficient space for the cover housing portion to pass through the forward-extending upper side of the main housing portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the hinge has a base coupled to a main housing portion, the base slidably engaging a body that supports a rack and pinion assembly. For example, a pinion of the body engages with a gear integrated with a bracket coupled to a cover housing portion to transfer rotation of the bracket to the body via a rack and pinion integrated in the base and engaging with the pinion. A torque element can provide frictional force to prevent hinge rotation by acting against sliding members of the bracket gear, pinion, and / or the base that engage with the body.

[0008] This invention offers numerous important technical advantages. One example of these advantages is that the portable housing of the information processing system, with seams between housing sections, minimizes the size of these seams by sliding the hinge rotation axis as the housing opens and closes. Sliding the hinge's pivot axis as the housing closes reduces the distance between housing sections, thus minimizing the seams and achieving a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Positioning the seams between housing sections on the upper surface of the housing at the rear provides full housing height, allowing space for thermal solutions. The pivot axis hinge has a robust structure capable of withstanding repeated use cycles and exhibits minimal housing sway in response to torsional movements occurring on the housing as the housing sections rotate. Attached Figure Description

[0009] By referring to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will better understand the invention, and many of its objectives, features, and advantages will become apparent. The same reference numerals are used throughout the several drawings to refer to the same or similar elements.

[0010] Figure 1 A top view of a portable information processing system with a housing is depicted, the housing having a seam at the midpoint between the housing parts;

[0011] Figure 2 A side perspective section of a shell with a pivot axis hinge to manage the joint distance between shell parts is depicted.

[0012] Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3C and Figure 3D A portable information processing system with a pivot hinge is depicted, which slides from a rearward position to a forward position as the housing rotates from a closed position to an open position;

[0013] Figure 4 A side perspective view of a pivot hinge is depicted, which is configured to allow the axis of rotation to slide as the hinge rotates and its orientation changes.

[0014] Figure 5 An exploded top perspective view of the pivot hinge is depicted; and

[0015] Figure 6 An exploded bottom perspective view of the pivot hinge is depicted. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The portable information processing system rotatably connects a housing portion to a pivot hinge, which shifts the position of its axis of rotation as the housing portion rotates and changes orientation. For the purposes of this disclosure, the information processing system may include any means or collection of means operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, generate, switch, store, display, indicate, detect, record, reproduce, process, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for commercial, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, the information processing system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device, and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information processing system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources (such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic), ROM, and / or other types of non-volatile memory. Additional components of the information processing system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices, and various input and output (I / O) devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, and video display. The information processing system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between various hardware components.

[0017] Now for reference Figure 1The top view depicts a portable information processing system 10 with a housing 12, which has a seam at the midpoint between housing portions. In an exemplary embodiment, a main housing portion 14 serves as the base of the information processing system 10, and a cover housing portion 16 is rotatably connected to the main housing portion 14 via a hinge 18 that allows the cover housing portion 16 to rotate between an open and closed position. The exemplary main housing portion 14 has a forward-extending upper side, which is connected to the hinge 18 and defines a seam along the upper side of the housing 12, at which the forward-extending upper side intersects with the rear side of the cover housing portion. A motherboard 20 is connected in the main housing portion 14 to support the docking of processing components that collaboratively process information. For example, a central processing unit (CPU) 22 executes instructions to process information, such as instructions for an operating system and applications. Random access memory (RAM) 24 stores instructions and information to support the operation of the CPU 22. A solid-state drive (SSD) 26 or other type of persistent non-transitory memory stores instructions and information in the power-off state for recall in RAM 24 when power is on. A graphics processing unit (GPU) 28 interfaces with the CPU 22 and processes information to generate visual images for presentation on a display integrated in the housing portion 16, such as defining the visual images as pixel values. An embedded controller 30 manages the operation of the information processing system at the physical level, such as power application, thermal constraint maintenance, and interaction with peripheral devices.

[0018] The portable information processing system 10 has a forward-extending upper side of a main housing portion 14, such that the rear side of the main housing portion 14 has a full housing height to include thermal management components such as cooling fans and vents. One challenge with this approach is that a seam is defined at the upper surface of the housing 12, where the main housing portion 14 intersects with the cover housing portion 16. The seam must provide sufficient distance between the main housing portion 14 and the cover housing portion 16 so that rotation about the hinge 18 does not engage at the intersection of the housing portions. However, an excessively large seam distance is unsightly. To minimize the seam distance, as the housing rotates from a closed position to an open position, the hinge 18 slides forward using the pivot axis of the housing rotation, thereby preventing the main housing portion from engaging with the cover housing portion. Each hinge translates its pivot point as it opens and closes to provide clearance from the hinge assembly to the base when it is open and to minimize the clearance at the upper surface of the housing 12 when it is closed. As described in more detail below, the forward and backward movement of the pivot axis is accomplished by a rack and pinion mechanism, which includes a torque element to manage the hinge rotation and defined rotational movement, such as between the closed position and the 135-degree open position.

[0019] Now for reference Figure 2The side perspective sectional view of housing 12 depicts a pivot axis hinge 18 for managing the joint distance between housing portions. In an exemplary embodiment, the main housing portion 14 at the rear of housing 12 has a full Z-height for managing the exhaust of heat energy from the rear of housing 12. Hinge 18 is coupled to the upper surface of the main housing portion 14 along the periphery of housing 12, wherein a bracket extends inward to engage with the cover housing portion 16. Hinge 18 is disposed at the upper surface of the main housing portion 14, wherein a mother plate 20 is coupled within the lower main housing portion 14. In an exemplary embodiment, hinge 18 is positioned above an extension of the main housing portion 14, entering the rear side of the cover housing portion 16, to align the hinge bracket with the joint defined by the intersection of the rear side of the cover housing portion 16 and the forward-extending upper side of the main housing portion 14. Figure 2 In the depicted closed position, the pivot axis of hinge 18 being close to the seam helps to reduce the distance between the housing portions at the seam. As shown in more detail below, engaging hinge 18 at the seam location allows the hinge to slide forward to move the hinge pivot, thereby providing clearance for the housing portions to rotate from the closed position to the open position.

[0020] Now for reference Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3C and Figure 3D The illustration depicts a portable information processing system with a pivot hinge 18 that slides from a rearward position to a forward position as the housing 12 rotates from a closed position to an open position. Figure 3A A housing 12 in a closed position is depicted, with the cover housing portion 16 of the housing 12 closed above the top of the main housing portion 14 by a hinge 18. The gear assembly 32 of the hinge 18 is in a rearward position relative to the base assembly 34, such that the axis of rotation of the hinge 18 minimizes the distance between the main housing portion 14 and the cover housing portion 16. Figure 3B The cover housing portion 16 is depicted rotating upwards about the hinge 18 and away from the main housing portion 14 to expose a display integrated in the bottom surface of the cover housing portion 16 and a keyboard integrated in the upper surface of the main housing portion 14. As the cover housing portion 16 rotates upwards, the gear assembly 32 of the hinge 18 slides forward relative to the base assembly 34, as indicated by arrow 36, to increase the distance between the cover housing portion 16 and the main housing portion 14, thereby providing clearance for rotation from the closed position to the open position. As the rotational orientation of the cover housing portion and the main housing portion increases, the forward sliding movement of the gear assembly 32 has the effect of moving the pivot axis of the hinge 18 forward. Figure 3C The housing is depicted with an orientation of approximately 90 degrees of rotation, in which the display in the cover housing portion 16 remains substantially perpendicular to the keyboard in the upper surface of the main housing portion 14. Figure 3DThe illustration depicts the cover housing portion 16 rotating approximately 135 degrees relative to the main housing portion 14 with the gear assembly 32 sliding fully forward within the base assembly 34. In the exemplary embodiment, the range of rotation of the housing is defined by the amount of sliding allowed within the base assembly 34 by the gear assembly 32, providing a defined range of rotation that does not involve any physical contact of the housing portion at the rotation limiter. The cover housing portion 16 from Figure 3D The fully open position is depicted to Figure 3A The rotation of the depicted closed position is converted into rotation about the hinge 18, which causes the gear assembly 32 to slide in the opposite direction relative to the base assembly 34, thereby reducing the distance between the housing parts as it approaches the closed position to minimize the gap along the seam between the housing parts in the closed position.

[0021] Now for reference Figure 4 The side perspective view depicts a pivot hinge 18 configured to slide the axis of rotation as the hinge's orientation changes. In an exemplary embodiment, a base assembly 34 is coupled in a fixed position relative to a first housing portion, and a gear assembly 32 slides relative to the base assembly 34 to move the axis of rotation of a bracket 46 coupled to a second housing portion. The bracket 46 has a shaft 44 with a bracket gear 50 that rotates as the bracket 46 rotates in response to movement of the housing portion coupled to the bracket 46. The bracket gear 50 engages a rack and pinion assembly 48, which is integrated into the body 42 of the gear assembly 32 and configured to allow the body 42 to slide along a sliding member 40 passing through the body 42. Parallel sliding members provide stability to the translational bracket, for example, by maintaining the sliding path of the translational bracket with the attached rotating shaft in the presence of torsional forces. The base 38 of the base assembly 34 has a sliding member 40 connected across an opening that provides space for sliding movement of the body 42. For example, the front and rear sides of the opening periphery of the base 38 restrict the sliding movement of the body 42. A torque element 52 is coupled to the shaft 44 of the bracket 46 to prevent rotation of the bracket 46. In an exemplary embodiment, the torque element 52 also engages a rack and pinion assembly 48 to distribute rotational resistance across the gear assembly 32 for a more adjustable feel. For example, the torque is distributed such that approximately 70% is coupled to the bracket and 30% to the pinion to ensure that the gear strength in the drive mechanism is not exceeded. In an alternative embodiment, the torque element can provide resistance to the sliding movement of the body 42 along the sliding member 40, such as by pressing the sliding member 40 from the torque element coupled to the body 42.

[0022] Now for reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The exploded perspective view depicts the pivot hinge 18. Figure 5 Exploded top and bottom views of pivot hinge 18 are depicted, whileFigure 6 An exploded bottom view of pivot hinge 18 is depicted. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 A pivot hinge 18 configured to engage with the right side of the main housing portion is depicted, with the support 46 of the pivot hinge 18 pointing inward toward the center of the housing. In contrast, Figure 3 depicts pivot hinges configured to engage with both the left and right sides of the main housing portion, where the support 46 on each hinge points inward when the hinge 18 is engaged with the main housing portion on the left and right sides, respectively. Although the supports of each hinge 18 are positioned on opposite sides, the structure for holding the supports in place and adjusting the pivot axis of the supports is similar for each hinge with a symmetrical opposing configuration.

[0023] The base 38 is configured to be fixedly attached to the main housing portion and integrates a rack and pinion 58, which is aligned to engage with a pinion 56 connected within the main housing 60. The main housing 60 is aligned with the pinion 56 to engage with a support gear 50. The main housing 60 and the connecting element 62 hold the gear assembly 32 in engagement, such that rotation of the support 46 is transferred via the pinion 56 to the rack and pinion 58, resulting in sliding movement of the main housing 60 relative to the base 38. The sliding member 40 is a threaded pin that engages with the base 38 and is inserted through an opening in the main housing 60 to support the sliding movement. The connecting element 62 is connected to the main housing 60 by screws 68 to hold the support 46 in place and to engage the support gear 50 with the pinion 56. In this example, a housing support plate 64 is connected to the support 46 by rivets 66 to provide additional structural support. Although the exemplary embodiment integrates the rack and pinion 58 with the base 38, alternative embodiments may arrange the rack, pinion, and support gear in an alternative manner (such as integrating the rack into the main housing 60) to achieve the desired sliding of the support 46 about the axis of rotation.

[0024] Although the invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An information processing system, comprising: A housing having a cover housing portion and a main housing portion, the cover housing portion having a rear side aligned with the forward-extending upper side of the main housing portion; A processor, disposed in the main housing and operable to execute instructions for processing information; A memory disposed in the main housing and interfaced with the processor, the memory being operable to store the instructions and information; A display, integrated in the housing portion and interfaced with the processor, is operable to present the information as a visual image; as well as A hinge having: a base fixedly connected to the main housing portion; A bracket, which integrates a shaft with a bracket gear, is connected to the cover housing portion; The system includes a gear assembly connecting the base and the bracket to convert rotation of the bracket about an axis into sliding of the gear assembly to adjust the distance between the rear side of the cover housing portion and the forward-extending upper side of the main housing portion. The gear assembly includes a rack gear integrated on the upper surface of the base and fixed in position relative to the base and the main housing portion, and a body connected to the base via a sliding member. The body has a pinion engaging with the rack gear and the bracket gear, the bracket gear rotating about the axis and engaging directly with the rack gear from above the upper side of the base. The body is configured to slide along a sliding member located within a central opening on each side of the base, the central opening defining a range of sliding movement for adjusting the distance.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the bracket gear integrated in the bracket indirectly engages with the pinion and rack.

3. The information processing system of claim 2, wherein the first and second parallel sliding members are connected to the base across the central opening and engage with the body, the first and second parallel sliding members stabilizing the body connected to the support.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a torque element connected to the pinion to prevent rotation of the support.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the torque element further connects the pinion to the body to prevent rotation of the pinion.

6. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: Translating the bracket to move the cover housing portion from the closed position toward the open position causes the sliding member to slide forward, causing the rear side of the cover housing portion to move forward and upward away from the main housing portion; and Translating the bracket to move the cover housing portion from the open position toward the closed position causes the sliding member to slide backward, so that the rear side of the cover housing portion moves forward and upward toward the main housing portion.

7. The information processing system of claim 6, wherein the hinge is connected to the main housing portion such that the body is located at the periphery of the housing and the bracket points toward the interior of the housing.

8. An information processing system, comprising: A housing having a main portion and a cover portion; A processor disposed in the housing and operable to execute instructions for processing information; A memory disposed within the housing and interfaced with the processor, the memory being operable to store the instructions and information; A hinge connecting the main portion and the cover portion for rotation about an axis, the hinge comprising: A base, which is fixedly connected to the main part of the housing; A sliding member, the sliding member being connected to the base; The main body is slidably engaged with the sliding member; A bracket having a shaft and a bracket gear aligned for rotation about the axis, the bracket being connected to the cover portion of the housing; and A rack and pinion gear, integrated in the base, having a fixed position relative to the main portion of the housing and exposed on the upper surface of the base, and a support gear directly engaging the rack and pinion gear from above to convert rotation of the shaft into sliding of the main body, such that the cover portion of the housing slides relative to the main portion of the housing.

9. The information processing system of claim 8 further includes first and second sliding members, the first and second sliding members being connected to the base in a parallel relationship and each passing through an opening in the body.

10. The information processing system of claim 9 further includes a torque element connected to the bracket to prevent rotation of the bracket.

11. The information processing system of claim 9 further includes a torque element coupled to a pinion to prevent sliding movement of the body relative to the base, the pinion engaging with the support gear.

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