Computer with hinge post and hinge mount and related methods

A computer base unit is disclosed, among other apparatus and methods. One embodiment of a computer base unit has a panel, the panel comprising a hinge post and a hinge mount, the hinge post configured to couple to a shaft-in-shaft hinge and the hinge mount configured to couple to a swivel hinge assembly.

BACKGROUND

Portable computing devices, such as palm-top computers, hand-held computers, notebook computers, personal computer tablets, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), have become increasingly popular. Portable computing devices generally use a base unit and a display assembly that is configured for the particular base display.

Meeting consumer demand for these various devices while maintaining low inventories and manufacturing costs is a challenge for manufacturers and retailers alike. One solution is to offer functionality of more than one portable computing device in a single assembly. For instance, some portable computing devices existing in the market today have display assemblies that can be configured with notebook and tablet PC functionality. Additionally, some portable computing devices are available that are configured with dual functionality base units in combination with multi-function displays. However, if consumers insist on separate portable computing devices (e.g., a unit dedicated to simply notebook functionality) because of cost, familiarity, or other reasons, these multi-function products result in increased inventory or tooling costs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of configure-to-order (CTO) computer products and methods. An embodiment of a base unit is disclosed that comprises at least one hinge post and at least one swivel hinge assembly mount that enables various hinges (and thus various display assemblies) to be attached to the base unit depending on the desired functionality. The various display assemblies may comprise a notebook display assembly (e.g., clamshell style) and a tablet personal computer (PC) display assembly (e.g., center swivel). In one embodiment, one set of hinges that may be coupled to the at least one base unit hinge post comprises shaft-in-shaft style hinges (also known as friction hinges, mailbox hinges, notebook hinges, etc.) for coupling to and assisting in the support of a notebook display assembly. The notebook display assembly can be opened and closed with respect to the base unit in a clamshell manner. Another hinge type attached to the at least one base unit hinge mount comprises a swivel hinge assembly, also known as a tablet hinge assembly, for coupling to and assisting in the support of a tablet PC display assembly. The swivel hinge assembly may further comprise one or more shaft-in-shaft hinges that enable the display panel to open and close with respect to the base unit.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram that illustrates a configure-to-order (CTO) computer100comprising a base unit110coupled to a notebook display assembly120. The base unit110comprises one or more hinge posts configured for use with shaft-in-shaft hinges. The base unit120is also constructed with one or more hinge mounts configured for use with a swivel hinge assembly. Thus, the base unit110is constructed to enable alternative coupling to the notebook display assembly120and to a tablet PC display assembly. In one embodiment, the base unit110comprises a keyboard, touchpad, one or more processors, memory, communication components, and a plurality of connectors. In one embodiment, functionality corresponding to a notebook PC may be loaded during configuration of the base unit110.

When coupled to the notebook display assembly120, shaft-in-shaft hinges are coupled to the hinge posts of the base unit110to enable opening and closing of the notebook display assembly120in a clamshell fashion. That is, in one embodiment, the notebook display assembly120is rotatable about an axis, such as axis101parallel to a plane of the base unit110. The notebook display assembly120can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), among others.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram that illustrates an exemplary shaft-in-shaft hinge202bthat couples the base unit110(FIG. 1) to the notebook display assembly120. A bottom panel500of the base unit110is shown, comprising a hinge post502b.Also shown are the display assembly120and a shaft-in-shaft hinge202b.A portion204of the shaft-in-shaft hinge202bis placed in the hinge post502b,and secured there by one of several mechanisms (e.g., screw, glue, etc.). A shaft210is secured to the display assembly by fasteners212and214, although other mechanisms may be used, and is placed in the shaft-in-shaft hinge202bin a manner that enables rotation of the display assembly (e.g., in some embodiments up to 180°) about an axis parallel to plane of the base unit110.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram that illustrates a configure-to-order (CTO) computer200comprising a base unit110coupled to a tablet personal computer (PC) display assembly220. The base unit110comprises features as described in association withFIG. 1. In one embodiment, functionality corresponding to a tablet PC may be loaded during configuration of the base unit110. The tablet PC display assembly220can be an LCD, among displays of other technologies, and, in one embodiment, comprises a digitizer installed at a front or back end of the LCD to detect a coordinate value corresponding to a position on the LCD touched with an electronic pen. When a user operates the CTO computer200as a tablet PC computer, he or she typically touches various menus displayed through the LCD using the electronic pen (although a keyboard may also be used).

When coupled to the tablet PC display assembly220, the base unit110uses a swivel hinge assembly mounted to one or more hinge mounts to couple to and assist in the support of the tablet PC display assembly220. The swivel hinge assembly enables the tablet PC display assembly to rotate, in one embodiment, about an axis, such as axis303, perpendicular to a plane of the base unit110. In addition, the swivel hinge assembly comprises shaft-in-shaft hinges that enable the tablet PC display assembly220to be rotatable about an axis, such as axis301, parallel to a plane of the base unit110. Thus, in one embodiment, the tablet PC display assembly220can be opened, rotated, then closed such that the LCD can face upwards as shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4is a schematic diagram that illustrates an exemplary swivel hinge assembly402that couples the base unit110and tablet PC display assembly shown inFIG. 3. In one embodiment, the swivel hinge assembly402is secured (e.g., using screws or other securing mechanisms) to the panel500in four locations, although fewer or more locations may be used. For swivel rotation, the swivel hinge assembly402couples to the display assembly120at the shaft-in-shaft hinges702aand702b,enabling the display assembly120to follow the rotation of the swivel assembly402. Shown also are connector cables403,404, and406, the latter which connects at terminal408. Terminal408is secured to the display assembly120by secure element410although it will be appreciated that other securing mechanisms may be used.

Notebook-type rotation occurs at the shaft-in-shaft hinges702aand702bof the swivel assembly402. The shaft-in-shaft hinges702aand702b,in one embodiment, are secured to the display assembly120using screws412,414,416, and418; as before, it will be appreciated that other securing mechanisms may be used.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram that illustrates the interior, rear portion of an embodiment of the bottom panel500of a base unit110. The bottom panel500is configured with one or more hinge posts on each rear corner of the bottom panel500. In some embodiments, the hinge posts are formed in other locations. One hinge post502is shown and described, with the understanding that similar description applies to other hinge posts. The hinge post502is formed as part of the die cast of the bottom panel500, although not necessarily limited to formation by a die casting operation (e.g., plastic may be used as well). Die casting may form the hinge post502in the form of a stub in the panel500that is milled to create a cavity in the hinge post502, or in some embodiments, the hinge post502may be formed with a cavity as part of die casting operation. Other mechanisms may be employed to form the hinge post502onto the panel500.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom panel500also comprises hinge mounts504a,504b,504c,and504dfor mounting the swivel hinge assembly402(FIG. 4), the mounts approximately centered on the bottom panel500, located toward the back of the panel500, and disposed approximately midway between opposing side hinge posts (e.g.,502). Other swivel-hinge locations are possible. Also, the number of (four) hinge mounts504a-504dare shown by way of illustration and not limitation. The mounts504a-504dare also formed as part of the die casting of the bottom panel500; it will be appreciated that such manufacturing is not limited to formation by die cast operation. When coupling the swivel hinge assembly402with the hinge mounts504a-504d,additional hardware may be used, such as threaded and unthreaded parts to help sandwich the assemblies together. Further, the swivel hinge assembly402may be secured to the panel500by means of screws that are disposed through the bottom of the panel500and through the hinge mounts504a-504d.The cavities of the hinge mounts504a-504dmay or may not be threaded.

FIGS. 6A-6Bare schematic diagrams that further illustrate the shaft-in-shaft hinges202aand202b(FIG. 2) as connected to the hinge posts502aand502b,respectively, of the bottom panel500. The shaft-in-shaft hinges202aand202bmay be constructed of one or a combination of many different types of materials, and in one embodiment, zinc is used. Further, the hinge posts502a,502band the base panel500likewise may be constructed of one or a combination of many different types of materials, such as magnesium or plastic.

FIG. 6Ashows the interior of a bottom panel500of the base unit110(FIG. 1). The bottom panel500comprises hinge posts502aand502b.The shaft-in-shaft hinges202aand202bare mounted to hinge posts502aand502b,respectively. The shaft-in-shaft hinges202aand202bmay be mounted through any of several means, including by press fit, screw-type mounting that is integral or external to the shaft-in-shaft hinges202aand202b,glue, among other techniques.

The bottom panel500also comprises a removable rear cover piece602, as shown in another view inFIG. 6B. During assembly of CTO computer, the rear cover piece602is installed at the back of the panel500for notebook display functionality, providing a relatively flat back along the entire back surface of the bottom panel500. Additionally, a cosmetic cover (also known as a bezel)604(FIG. 6C) is provided to cover the gap between the back of the panel500and the keyboard of the base unit110(FIG. 1), as well as to cover the hinges (202a,202b,FIG. 2).

FIGS. 7A-7Bare schematic diagrams that further illustrate the swivel hinge assembly402(FIG. 4) as mounted to the bottom panel500. The swivel hinge assembly402may be constructed of one or a combination of many different materials, such as aluminum or zinc.FIG. 7Ashows the interior of a bottom panel500of the base unit110(FIG. 1). The bottom panel500comprises hinge mounts504a-504dto which the swivel hinge assembly402is attached. The swivel hinge assembly402comprises one or more shaft-in-shaft hinges702aand702bmounted to a center member704. The center member704is rotatably mounted to a base member706. The base member706is coupled to the hinge mounts504a-504d,such as through the use of screws, glue, rivets, welding, etc.

FIG. 7Bprovides another view of the swivel hinge assembly402and, in particular, the back of the panel500. As shown, the panel500further comprises a rear cover piece708that is installed during the CTO process corresponding to tablet PC functionality. The rear cover piece708is configured to cover a portion of the swivel hinge assembly402. The cover piece708is curvilinear in geometry, creating a bowed-out effect to a portion of the back of the bottom panel500(and the base unit110(FIG. 1) in general). Other geometric configurations for the cover piece708are possible. An additional cosmetic cover710, shown inFIG. 7C, is also inserted during the CTO process to cover the gap remaining between the rear cover piece708and the top portion of the base unit110.

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a base unit810that further comprises a bracket802. The bracket is optional, and is generally used in base units that do not have the structure to adequately distribute the load corresponding to the support or assisted support of notebook and tablet PC display assemblies. For example, magnesium-based base units generally do not need a bracket802, although a bracket802may still be used. The bracket802comprises a tablet clutch mount area804and notebook clutch mount areas806aand806b.In one embodiment, the bracket802is comprised of a structural metal, such as magnesium, aluminum, stainless, steel, or similar strength metal or non-metal material. The bracket802is configured with the tablet clutch mount area804and notebook clutch mount areas806aand806bto enable the various hinges to mount directly to the various display assemblies.

FIG. 9is a flow diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a method900for configuring to order a computer. Such a method900comprises providing a computer base unit with a panel having a hinge post and a hinge mount (902). Then, for notebook display functionality, coupling a shaft-in-shaft hinge to the hinge post (904), or for tablet display functionality, coupling a swivel hinge assembly to the hinge mount (906). Optionally, a rear cover piece may be installed (908) and/or a cosmetic cover may be installed (910).

An embodiment of a method for coupling a computer base unit with different display assemblies may comprise, for notebook display functionality, coupling a hinge post located on a panel of the computer base unit to a shaft-in-shaft hinge and coupling the shaft-in-shaft hinge to a first display assembly configured to rotate with respect to a horizontal axis, and for tablet display functionality, coupling a hinge mount located on the panel of the computer base unit to a swivel hinge assembly and coupling the swivel hinge assembly to a second display assembly configured to rotate with respect to a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing a process, and alternate implementations are comprised within the scope of the disclosure in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art.