Patent ID: 6226177
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: E05D,E05Y,G06F

Abstract:
For a laptop computer having a base and a lid, a friction hinge assembly having high thermal conductivity, comprising:a pre-assembled base element mechanically to the base of said computer and to which a base heat pipe is thermally and mechanically connected;a pre-assembled cooperating lid element mechanically fixed to the lid of said computer and to which a lid heat pipe is thermally and mechanically connected;a first fastener arranged to fasten the pre-assembled base element to the pre-assembled lid element after said base element is fixed to the base and a second fastener arranged to fasten said lid element after said lid element is fixed to the lid in order to selectively control the frictional torque provided by said hinge;wherein said base element and said lid element have contact surfaces and are fastened together such that (a) each element is in thermal contact with both the base heat pipe and the lid heat pipe through said contact surfaces, said contact surfaces being substantially equal, and (b) heat flow between said base pipe and said lid pipe does not travel directly between said base element and said lid element.