HYDRAULIC HINGE ASSEMBLIES

In one example, a hinge assembly may include a first hinge member and a second hinge member. The first hinge member may include a first hinge base and a first hinge bracket pivotally connected to the first hinge base. The second hinge member may include a second hinge base and a second hinge bracket pivotally connected to the second hinge base. Further, the hinge assembly may include a hydraulic unit connected between the first hinge member and the second hinge member to provide synchronous movements between the first hinge bracket and the second hinge bracket.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as laptop computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and the like may include a base portion, a display portion, and a pair of hinges mounted between the base portion and the display portion. For example, the base portion may house a keyboard, a motherboard, and/or other components, The display portion may house a display, such as a flexible display. The pair of hinges may connect the display portion to the base portion and allow the display portion to rotate relative to the base portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hinged electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and flip mobile phones may include a base housing and a display housing connected by a pair of hinges. The display housing may include a display screen (e.g., a flexible display) and the base housing may include input devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing stick, mouse buttons, a touchpad, and/or a trackpad. The display housing may be attached to the base housing such that the display housing can be moved and/or rotated with respect to the base housing along an axis to hold the display at multiple positions. To achieve such rotation, the display housing can be attached to the base housing using a pair of hinges such that the display housing can be opened or closed using an external force.

For example, each hinge may include a hinge base and a hinge bracket pivotally connected to the hinge base. The hinge base may engage with the base housing and the hinge bracket may engage with the display housing to enable the display housing to rotate with respect to the base housing along an axis. However, such hinges may cause distortion (e.g., bending and twisting) of the display screen during swinging of one hinge while the other hinge is kept at the same position. For example, when the display housing is opened or closed by holding the display housing at one end (e.g., right-hand side), the force applied on the right-hand side hinge may not be transmitted to the left-hand side hinge and hence may cause the distortion of the display screen.

Examples described herein may provide a hinge assembly including a pair of hinges and a hydraulic unit to connect the pair of hinges. The hydraulic unit may provide synchronous movements between the pair of hinges and provide a frictional force (i.e., a torque force) to the pair of hinges using an incompressible fluid. In one example, the movement of hinge brackets associated with the pair of hinges may be connected using a hydraulic pipe filled with the incompressible fluid. Examples described herein may provide a flexible mechanical design as the hydraulic pipe can be routed like a cable to reduce the design limitations caused due to any structural interferences. Example described herein can be applicable to electronic devices with flexible displays.

Examples described herein may provide a hinge assembly for an electronic device. The hinge assembly may include a pair of hinges to pivotally connect a display housing and a base housing, and a hydraulic unit connected between the pair of hinges to facilitate synchronous movements of the pair of hinges during rotation of the display housing relative to the base housing. In one example, the hydraulic unit may include two pistons disposed into two cylinders filled with incompressible fluid (e.g., oil) and connected to one another with a hydraulic pipe filled with the incompressible fluid. When a force is applied on one piston (e.g., during opening or closing of the display housing), the force can be transmitted to the second piston through the incompressible fluid.

Referring to the figures,FIG. 1Ais a perspective view of an example hinge assembly100for an electronic device, depicting a hydraulic unit108. Example hinge assembly100may be a single-axis hinge assembly. Hinge assembly100may pivotally connect a first housing to a second housing along an axis, e.g., an axis of rotation. Example hinge assembly100may include a pair of hinges, i.e., a first hinge member102A and a second hinge member102B.

Further, first hinge member102A may include a first hinge base104A and a first hinge bracket106A pivotally connected to first hinge base104A. Second hinge member102B may include a second hinge base1048and a second hinge bracket1068pivotally connected to second hinge base104B. In some examples, first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B may engage with the first housing and first hinge base104A and second hinge base104B may engage with the second housing such that the first housing may be pivotally connected to the second housing.

Further, example hinge assembly100may include hydraulic unit108connected between first hinge member102A and second hinge member102B to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B. Example hydraulic unit108is explained inFIG. 1B.

FIG. 1Bis an exploded view of example hinge assembly100ofFIG. 1A, depicting additional features. As shown inFIG. 18, first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B may hold a display unit118. Example display unit118may be a flexible display.

Further, hydraulic unit108may include a first piston-cylinder unit110A having a first piston114A disposed in a first cylinder112A. In one example, first piston-cylinder unit110A may be connected to first hinge member102A. Furthermore, hydraulic unit108may include a second piston-cylinder unit110B having a second piston114B disposed in a second cylinder112B. In one example, second piston-cylinder unit110B may be connected to second hinge member102B. In some examples, dimensions (e.g., sizes and shapes) of first piston-cylinder unit110A and second piston-cylinder unit1108may be equal. Also, hydraulic unit108may include a hydraulic pipe116connected between first piston-cylinder unit110A and second piston-cylinder unit110B.

In one example, first piston114A and second piston114B may be connected to first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B, respectively. First piston114A and second piston114B can be extractable and retractable in first cylinder112A and second cylinder112B, respectively. For example, retracting first piston114A and second piston114B may rotate first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B to open the display unit and extracting first piston114A and second piston114B may rotate first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B to close the display unit.

Further, one end of first cylinder112A and second cylinder112B may be fixedly secured to first hinge base104A and second hinge base104B, respectively. Further, other end of first cylinder112A and second cylinder112B can be flexible to reduce any structural interferences caused during rotation of the first housing relative to the second housing (i.e,. during rotation of first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B).

Furthermore, hydraulic unit108may include hydraulic fluid120filled in first cylinder112A, second cylinder112B, and hydraulic pipe116. First piston-cylinder unit110A and second piston-cylinder unit110B may push or pull hydraulic fluid120between first cylinder112A and second cylinder112B through hydraulic pipe116to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B. In some examples, hydraulic fluid120may be pulled or pushed between first cylinder112A and second cylinder112B based on a direction of rotation of first hinge bracket106A and second hinge bracket106B relative to first hinge base104A and second hinge base104B.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of an example hinge assembly200, depicting a hydraulic unit204to control movements of a first hinge member202A and a second hinge member202B. Example hinge assembly200may include first hinge member202A, second hinge member202B, and hydraulic unit204connected between first hinge member202A and second hinge member2028. In one example, hydraulic unit204may control movements of first hinge member202A and second hinge member202B via an incompressible fluid206. An example mechanism to control movements of first hinge member202A and second hinge member2028is explained inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a schematic diagram of an example electronic device300, depicting transmission of a force applied at a second hinge bracket3226to a first hinge bracket322A during opening of a display unit308. For example, similarly named elements ofFIG. 3Amay be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect toFIG. 2. First hinge member202A may include a first hinge base320A and first hinge bracket322A pivotally connected to first hinge base320A.

Further, second hinge member202B may include a second hinge base320B and second hinge bracket322B pivotally connected to second hinge base320B. In one example, hydraulic unit (e.g., hydraulic unit204ofFIG. 2) may control movements of first hinge member202A and second hinge member202B by transmitting a force applied at first hinge bracket322A to second hinge bracket322B or vice versa via incompressible fluid206.

As shown inFIG. 3A, first and second hinge brackets322A and322B can be connected to display unit308and first and second hinge bases320A and320B can be connected to a base housing310(e.g., a keyboard unit) such that display unit308can be pivotably coupled to base housing310.

Hydraulic unit (e.g., hydraulic unit204ofFIG. 2) may include a first cylinder302A filled with incompressible fluid206and connected to first hinge base320A (e.g., at one end of first cylinder302A). Further, hydraulic unit204may include a first piston304A disposed in first cylinder302A (e.g., at another end of first cylinder302A) and connected to first hinge bracket322A such that first hinge bracket322A and first piston304A can be moved with each other.

Furthermore, hydraulic unit204may include a second cylinder302B filled with incompressible fluid206and connected to second hinge base320B (e.g., at one end of second cylinder302B). Also, hydraulic unit204may include a second piston30413disposed in second cylinder3026(e.g., at another end of second cylinder302B) and connected to second hinge bracket322B such that second hinge bracket322B and second piston304B can be moved with each other. In some examples, first and second pistons304A and304B and first and second cylinders302A and302B may be identical in shape and size.

Further, hydraulic unit204may include a hydraulic pipe306filled with incompressible fluid208and connected between first cylinder302A and second cylinder302B to transfer the force between first hinge bracket322A and second hinge bracket322B via first piston304A and second piston304B. In one example, one end of hydraulic pipe306may be connected to a front portion of second cylinder302B and another end of hydraulic pipe306may be connected to a rear portion of first cylinder302A. In alternate examples, one end of hydraulic pipe306can also be connected to a front portion of first cylinder302A and another end of hydraulic pipe306may be connected to a rear portion of second cylinder302B such that first piston304A and second piston304B are to move in the same direction during rotations of first hinge bracket322A and second hinge bracket322B.

Consider an example where display unit308can be opened by swinging second hinge bracket322B at right-hand right-hand side of display unit308(e.g., by holding display unit308at the right-hand side as shown by arrow312). In this example, second hinge bracket322B can drive second piston304B to move forward (e.g,, as shown by arrow314). Further, second piston304B may push incompressible fluid206(i.e., hydraulic fluid) from second cylinder302B to first cylinder302A through hydraulic pipe306(e.g. as shown by arrow318).

Furthermore, incompressible fluid206may push first piston304A to move forward (e..g as shown by arrow318). In addition, first piston304A may drive first hinge bracket322A to swing in the direction of rotation of second hinge bracket322B. Since the dimensions are same for first and second pistons304A and304B and first and second cylinders302A and302B, and due to the properties of incompressible fluid206, the movements of first hinge bracket322A and second hinge bracket322B can be synchronized.

In the example shown in FIG,3A, rotational motion of second hinge bracket322B may be converted into linear motion of second piston304B and the linear motion of first piston304A may be converted into rotational motion of first hinge bracket322A to provide the synchronous movements of first hinge bracket322A and second hinge bracket322B.

Similarly, when display unit308is opened by swinging first hinge bracket322A at a left-hand side of display unit308(e.g., by holding display unit308at the left-hand side), first hinge bracket322A can drive first piston304A to move forward (e.g., as shown by arrow318), which in turn can pull incompressible fluid206to first cylinder302A. In this example, incompressible fluid206can be pulled from second cylinder302B to first cylinder302A through hydraulic pipe306(e.g., as shown by arrow316). Furthermore, incompressible fluid206may pull second piston304B to move forward (e.g., as shown by arrow314). In addition, second piston304B may drive second hinge bracket322B to swing to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket322A and second hinge bracket322B.

FIG. 38illustrates a schematic diagram of example electronic device300, depicting transmission of a force applied at a second hinge bracket322B to a first hinge bracket322A during closing of a display unit308. For example, similarly named elements ofFIG. 38may be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect toFIGS. 2 and 3A.

Consider an example where display unit308can be closed by swinging second hinge bracket322B at the right-hand side (e.g., by holding display unit308at the right-hand side as shown by arrow352). In this example, second hinge bracket322B may drive second piston304B to move backward (e,g., as shown by arrow354), Further, second piston304B may pull incompressible fluid206from first cylinder302A to second cylinder302B through hydraulic pipe306(e.g.. as shown by arrow356).

Furthermore, incompressible fluid206may pull first piston304A to move backward (e.g, as shown by arrow358). In addition, first piston304A may drive first hinge bracket322A to swing (i.e., in the direction of rotation of second hinge bracket322B). Since the dimensions are same for first and second pistons304A and304B and first and second cylinders302A and302B, and due to the properties of incompressible fluid206, the movements of first hinge bracket322A and second hinge bracket322B can be synchronized.

Similarly, when display unit308is closed by swinging first hinge bracket322A at, the left-hand side (e.g., by holding display unit308at the left-hand side), first hinge bracket322A can drive first piston304A to move backward (e.g., as shown by arrow358), which in turn can push incompressible fluid206to second cylinder3028. In this example, incompressible fluid208can be pushed from first cylinder302A to second, cylinder302B through hydraulic pipe306(e.g., as shown by arrow356). Furthermore, incompressible fluid206may push second piston304B to move backward (e.g., as shown by arrow354). In addition, second piston304B may drive second hinge bracket322B to swing to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket322A and second hinge bracket322B.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a perspective view of an example electronic device400, depicting an example hinge assembly406including a hydraulic unit414. As shown inFIG. 4A, example electronic device400may include a display housing402, a base housing404, and hinge assembly406to pivotally connect display housing402and base housing404. Example electronic device400may be a computing system, for example, a laptop, a convertible device, a PDA, a notebook, a sub-notebook, a personal gaming device, or other computing device with display housing402closeable onto base housing404, Electronic device400may include a pair of hinges408A and408B to pivotally connect display housing402and base housing404. Display housing402can be rotated between a closed position and an open position.

For example, base housing404may house a keyboard, a battery,, a touchpad, and so on, Display housing402may house a display (e.g., a touchscreen display). Example display may be a flexible display. In other examples, display may also include liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED), electro-luminescent (EL) display, micro LED display, or the like, Electronic, device400may be equipped with other components such as a camera, audio/video devices, and the like, depending on the functions of electronic device400. Hinge assembly406may be pivotally connected to display housing402and base housing404along a pivot axis. Hinge assembly406may allow display housing402to rotate in directions about the pivot axis relative to base housing404.

Further, hinge assembly406may include first hinge408A, second hinge408B, and hydraulic unit414connected between first hinge408A and second hinge408B. First hinge408A may include a first hinge base410A connected to base housing404. Further, first hinge408A may include a first hinge bracket412A pivotally connected to first hinge base410A and fixedly connected to display housing402.

Second hinge408B may include a second hinge base410B connected to base housing404. Further, second hinge408Bmay include a second hinge bracket412B pivotally connected to second hinge base410B and fixedly connected to display housing402. In some examples, first hinge bracket412A and second hinge bracket412B may hold the flexible display.

Furthermore, hydraulic unit414may be connected between first hinge408A and second hinge408B to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket412A and second hinge bracket412B during rotations of display housing402relative to base housing404. Example hydraulic unit414may be described inFIG. 4B.

FIG. 4Billustrates a perspective view ;of example electronic device400ofFIG. 4A, depicting additional features. For example, similarly named elements ofFIG. 4Bmay be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect toFIG. 4A. As shown inFIG. 4B, first hinge bracket412A may be pivotally connected to first hinge base410A via a coupling structure464A, and second hinge bracket412B may be pivotally connected to second hinge base410B via a coupling structure464B. For example, coupling structures464A and464B may include protrusions defined in first and second hinge brackets412A and412B, and recesses/openings defined in, first and second hinge bases410A and410B to rotatably receive a respective one of the protrusions.

Hydraulic unit414may include a first piston-cylinder unit452A, a second piston-cylinder unit452B, and a hydraulic pipe458connected between first piston-cylinder unit452A and second piston-cylinder unit4528. First piston-cylinder unit452A may include a first cylinder454A mounted on first hinge base410A Further, first piston-cylinder unit452A may include a first piston456A disposed in first cylinder454A and connected to first hinge bracket412A.

Second piston-cylinder unit452B may include a second cylinder454B mounted on second hinge base410B. Further, second piston-cylinder unit452B may include a second piston456B disposed in second cylinder454B and connected to second hinge bracket412B. Hydraulic unit414may include hydraulic fluid filled in first piston-cylinder unit452A second piston-cylinder unit452B, and hydraulic pipe458.

As shown inFIG. 4B, one end of first cylinder454A may be connected to first hinge base410A via a coupling structure460A, and one end of second cylinder4548may be connected to second hinge base410B via a coupling structure460B, For example, coupling structures460A and460B may include protrusions defined in first and second hinge bases410A and410B, and recesses/openings defined in first and second cylinders454A and454B to rotatably receive a respective one of the protrusions.

Further, first piston456A may be connected to first hinge bracket412A via a coupling structure462A, and second piston456B may be connected to second hinge bracket412B via a coupling structure462B. For example, coupling structures462A and462B may include protrusions defined in first and second hinge brackets412A and412B, and recesses/openings defined in first and second pistons456A and456B to rotatably receive a respective one of the protrusions.

In one example, first piston-cylinder unit452A and second piston-cylinder unit452B may push or pull the hydraulic fluid between first cylinder454A and second cylinder454B via hydraulic pipe458based on a direction of rotation of display housing402relative to base housing404. In some examples, hydraulic pipe458may be connected between first piston-cylinder unit452A and second piston-cylinder unit452B such that first piston458A and second piston456B are to synchronously move forward during opening of display housing402relative to base housing404, and to synchronously move backward during closing of display housing402relative to base housing404.

Even thoughFIGS. 1-4illustrate an example hinge assembly, examples described herein can also be used in other hinge structures, provided that a first bracket rotates in directions about a pivot axis relative to a second bracket. Further,FIGS. 1-4illustrate an example hydraulic mechanism connected between a pair of hinges of an electronic device, however, any other hydraulic mechanism can also be used to connect the pair of hinges such that the hydraulic mechanism can provide synchronous movements between the pair of hinges to reduce the distortion of the display screen during opening or closing the display screen. Furthermore, the hydraulic mechanism can also provide frictional resistance to hold the display screen at multiple positions relative to the base housing.

It may be noted that the above-described examples of the present solution are for the purpose of illustration only. Although the solution has been described in conjunction with a specific example thereof, numerous modifications may be possible without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Other substitutions, modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present solution. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

The terms “include,” “have,” and variations thereof, as used herein, have the same meaning as the term “comprise” or appropriate variation thereof. Furthermore, the term “based on,” as used herein, means “based at least in part on.” Thus, a feature that is described as based on some stimulus can be based on the stimulus or a combination of stimuli including the stimulus.