Hinged module coupling with integrated cable connection

A hinge includes a first housing, a second housing mechanically coupled to the first housing, a cam connected to one of the first housing and the second housing, a first connector mechanically coupled to the first housing, a second connector, and a cable coupled to the first connector and the second connector.

BACKGROUND

An imaging product, such as a multi function printer, may include modular devices. For example, an imaging product may have modules such as an image input terminal (ITT) and an image output terminal (TOT). An ITT may be mounted on an TOT to connect the modules together, yet still allow for relative motion between the two. A cable may connect an IIT with an TOT for both power and communications. Since these devices are modular devices, such a cable may be connected by an end user installing a new modular device such as a new ITT.

However, because of size constraints and other factors, a connector for a cable on a modular device may be difficult to install, particularly by the end user. Such difficulties lead to increased intermittent problems or failures due to poor connections, increased service calls, and a decrease in consumer confidence in both the imaging product and the manufacturer. Furthermore, any problems from poor or intermittent connections are exacerbated by the relative motion of modules of the imaging product.

SUMMARY

An embodiment includes a hinge including a first housing, a second housing mechanically coupled to the first housing, a cam connected to one of the first housing and the second housing, a first connector mechanically coupled to the first housing, a second connector, and a cable coupled to the first connector and the second connector.

A further embodiment includes an imaging product including a first module having at least one first module connector, a second module, and at least one hinge to mechanically couple the first module to the second module. Each hinge includes a first housing, a second housing mechanically coupled to the first housing, a cam connected to one of the first housing and the second housing, a first hinge connector mechanically coupled to the first housing, a second hinge connector, and a cable coupled to the first connector and the second connector. When the first module and the second module are mechanically coupled by the hinge, at least one first hinge connector connects with an associated first module connector.

Another embodiment includes a method of forming an electrical connection between a first module and a second module of an imaging product, including aligning a hinge of the second module with a receptacle of the first module, and inserting the hinge into the receptacle of the first module such that a connector on the hinge connects with a connector on the first module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a diagram of an embodiment of a hinge46having an integrated cable connection. The hinge46includes a first housing10and a second housing12. The first housing10is mechanically coupled to the second housing12. A cam16is connected to the first housing10or the second housing12. For this discussion, the cam16will be referred to as connected to the first housing10, although one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the cam16may be connected to the second housing12. In other embodiments, the cam16may be rigidly connected to the first housing10. As used in this discussion, rigidly connected means connected such that the relative motion of the connected parts is substantially limited. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that although two parts may be designed to have little to no relative motion, some relative motion is will exist. The term rigidly connected includes such relative motion. For example, the cam16and the first housing10may be separate parts that are rigidly connected together during assembly. Alternatively, the cam16and the first housing10may be one contiguous part, with the cam16being a portion of the first housing10.

A first connector14is mechanically coupled to the first housing10. As used in this discussion, mechanically coupled means coupled such that the range of relative motion between the coupled parts is limited. Although mechanically coupled is distinguished from rigidly coupled as described above, mechanically coupled both includes and extends beyond rigidly coupled. As such, mechanically coupled parts may have a range of relative motion such that the parts would not be considered fixed to one another. In the hinge46ofFIG. 1, the first connector14is mechanically coupled to an end of the first housing10.

FIG. 2is an expanded view of an end of a first housing of the hinge ofFIG. 1. The first housing10may include a slot90in which the first connector14is disposed. At least one tab92may mechanically capture the first connector14, mechanically coupling it to the first housing10. When mechanically coupled to the first housing10, the first connector14may still move over a limited range. Thus, although mechanically coupled to the first housing10, the first connector may be mechanically floating. For example, the first connector14may still have a range of motion in a plane perpendicular to an insertion direction of the first connector14. Alternatively, the first connector14may be rigidly coupled to the first housing

Referring again toFIG. 1, the first connector14may be a blind mate connector. A blind mate connector is a connector designed such that within a mechanical tolerance, the blind mate connector and its mate need not be aligned. The mechanical tolerance for alignment of a blind mate connector is generally greater than that of other types of connectors. Such capability may be implemented within the connector itself.

The first housing10may include alignment surfaces to align the first connector14with a connector within a hinge receptacle (for example, a hinge receptacle52ofFIG. 3). Connectors inherently allow for some misalignment during connection. However, some connectors allow for more misalignment than others. For example, a blind mate connector as described above may have features or surfaces that allow for a greater amount of misalignment than other connectors. A connector that does not allow for such an amount of misalignment with its mate may still be used. The alignment surfaces on the first housing10aid in aligning the first connector14with its mate such that the connectors are aligned within the tolerance of the first connector14.

A cable18is coupled to the first connector14and a second connector20. A portion of the cable18may be routed though the cam16. Alternatively, a portion of the cable18may pass beside the cam16. The cable18may form electrical connections between contacts of the first connector14and the second connector20. Although such an assembly of the cable18, the first connector14, and the second connector20may be used to route electrical signals, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the assembly may be used to route other types of signals. For example, a mechanical linkage may be formed through the cable18. Alternatively, an optical signal may pass through the cable18. Furthermore, such signals and connections are not limited to any one type in one cable18. For example, an electrical signal and an optical signal may be routed through the same cable18through the appropriate media.

Although the second connector20is shown not connected to the second housing12, the second connector20may be either disconnected or connected to the second housing as desired. For example, the second connector20may be rigidly coupled to the second housing12. Alternatively, the second connector20may be mechanically coupled to the second housing12through the cable18so that a connection formed using the second connector20may be formed some distance away from the second housing12.

The hinge may include a strain relief. An example is a strain relief22. The strain relief22may be coupled to the first housing10. The cable18may pass through the strain relief22, coupling a portion of the cable18to the first housing. Thus, mechanical stress on the cable18on the side of the cable18including the second connector20will have a reduced effect on the first connector14.

Alternatively, the strain relief may include a strain relief portion of the cable18. The strain relief portion of the cable18may be a length24of the cable18. Thus, when the hinge46is moved though its full range of motion, the cable18retains an amount of slack.

Furthermore, the cam16may form a strain relief. As described above, the cable18is routed through the cam16. The cable18may be rigidly coupled to the cam16. Such a rigid connection may also serve as a strain relief, isolating the first connector14and portions of the cable18from mechanical stress associated with movement of the hinge46.

The first housing10may include an engagement surface32used to mechanically capture the hinge46if the hinge46is inserted into a hinge receptacle. For example, the engagement surface32may include a recessed portion of the first housing10. When inserted into the hinge receptacle, a catch in the hinge46receptacle may engage with the recessed portion. Thus, the recessed portion of the first housing10as an engagement surface is used to mechanically capture the hinge46in the hinge receptacle. Alternatively, the engagement surface32may be part of the cam16

Some hinges46may include a mass nullifying structure. Such a structure may include the cam16that is stationary relative to one of the housings. The cable18may be routed through the cam16without disturbing the mass nullifying structure, even though a complex mechanism may be creating the mass nullifying effect. Thus, a carefully balanced hinge cam weight counter-force operation is not affected. Furthermore, by routing the cable18through the cam16, cable routing in the scanner hinge area is achieved without affecting any functional hinge geometry. Furthermore, cam16parts may be modified from existing designs to route the cable18through the cam16. Such changes do not make the cam parts any more difficult to manufacture.

In some portions of this discussion, a connector of the hinge46, such as a first connector14, may be referred to as a hinge connector to distinguish the connector of the hinge from other connectors. For example, a first connector14may be referred to as a first hinge connector14.

FIG. 3is a diagram of an embodiment of an imaging product coupled with a hinge having an integrated cable connection. An imaging product54may be any device that prints, scans, copies, faxes, or otherwise manipulates an image. The imaging product54includes a first module40and a second module42. A module, such as the first module40or the second module42, may be any type of module for use in an imaging product54. For example, the first module40may be a printer and the second module42may be a scanner. Thus, the combination of the first module40and the second module42may form a photocopier.

The first module40is mechanically coupled to the second module42by a hinge46. The hinge46allows for a range of motion between the first module40and the second module42. The hinge46may be a hinge46as described above. Since the cable18of the hinge46is routed through the hinge46, a connection between the first module40and the second module42is routed through the hinge, rather than outside of the hinge as a separately made connection. Furthermore, since the cable18may be routed through the hinge, and not outside of the modules, the cable18may be hidden from view. Thus, the appearance of the imaging product54is improved.

As described above, the hinge46may allow connections using a variety of media, allowing the first module40and the second module42to communicate over that variety of media. Thus, the hinge46provides connections between the first module40and the second module42, such as electrical connections for power supplies and data signals.

When the hinge46is used in an imaging product54, a screw secured connector typically secured by the end user is eliminated. Furthermore, the cable18is routed inside of the module envelope. Thus, unsightly cables are routed within the modules, improving the aesthetics of the MFD and reducing or eliminating any vulnerability to snagging.

Although one hinge46has been illustrated, more than one hinge46may be used as desired. For example, a second hinge46may be used. Thus, two cables are available for connections between the first module40and the second module42. In addition, different types of connections may be formed through different hinges. For example, the first hinge46may have connections for electrical data signals and the second hinge46may have connections for electrical power supplies. However, such capability does not mean that differing signal types may not be routed through a cable of a single hinge46. For example, both power supplies and data signals may be routed through the same cable of the same hinge46.

The first module40has a first module connector48. The first module connector48may be located within the hinge receptacle52. The first module connector48connects with the first hinge connector14of the hinge46when the hinge is installed in the first module40. If additional hinges46are used as described above, the first module40may have additional first module connectors48to connect with the first hinge connectors14of the hinge46.

The second module42has a second module connector50. The second module connector50connects with the second hinge connector20. Similar to the first module40described above, if multiple hinges46are used, the second module42may have multiple second module connectors50to connect with the multiple second hinge connectors20.

The first module40may have alignment surfaces to guide the first housing10of the hinge46into the first module40during assembly. The alignment surfaces may be part of the hinge receptacle52. The first hinge connector14is mounted on the first housing10so that position and guidance features of the hinge46and the first module40align the connectors and ensure predictable engagement based on the mechanical tolerance of the first module connector48and the first hinge connector14.

As described above, blind mate connectors may be used for the first hinge connector14. Similarly, blind mate connectors may be used for the first module connector48. As a result, there is an amount of misalignment that may be tolerated by the connectors and still achieve a reliable connection. In such a case, the alignment features of the first module40and the hinge46may be used only to place the connectors in a relative position to be within mechanical tolerances to ensure connection.

Alternatively, if other connectors not designed as blind mate connectors are used, the alignment features may be used to align the connectors, such that the connectors are aligned within the smaller tolerance required by the connectors. Regardless, a proper and reliable joining of the connectors is made without additional attention or effort by the end user as the second module42is mated and locked to the first module40.

Furthermore, similar to the first hinge connector14described above, the first module connector48may be mechanically floating relative to the first module40. As a result, the connection between the first hinge connector14and the first module connector48may tolerate a greater misalignment, particularly if the first hinge connector14is rigidly coupled to the first housing10.

The hinge46may be rigidly fixed to the second module42. In other words, the hinge46may be part of the second module42. The hinge46may be attached to the second module42through the second housing12of the hinge46. For example, the hinge46may be mounted to the second module42by screws or other fasteners or fastening techniques. In addition, the second housing12may be an integral part of second module42. For example, a housing (not shown) of the second module42may include a portion that is the second housing12. Thus, when the first housing10is attached to the second housing12, the completed hinge46would become part of the second module42.

When the hinge46is installed in the second module42, the second hinge connector20of the hinge46may be connected to the second module connector50. As described above, the second connector20need not be directly mechanically coupled to the second housing12. Thus, when the hinge is installed in the second module42, the connection between the second hinge connector20and the second module connector50need not be made immediately adjacent to the second housing12. For example, a sufficient length of cable18may allow for the connection to be made a distance away from the location of the second housing12within the second module42. Alternatively, the second hinge connector20may be mounted on the second housing12such that when the hinge46is mounted on the second module42, a connection is made between the second hinge connector20and the second module connector50.

When the hinge46is inserted into the hinge receptacle52, the hinge46may be mechanically captured in the hinge receptacle52. For example, the hinge receptacle52may include a catch to engage with an engagement surface32on the hinge46. Thus, the catch56may mechanically capture the hinge46within the first module40.

Although when describing an imaging product54, hinges46having a first hinge connector14have been described as matching up to first module connectors48, every first hinge connector14need not have a matching first module connector48. Similarly, every first module connector48need not have a matching first hinge connector14. For example, consider a first module40having two first module connectors48within two hinge receptacles52as first module40A and another first module40having only one first module connector48within one of two hinge receptacles52as first module40B. Similarly, consider a second module42having two first hinge connectors48on two hinges46as second module42A and another second module40having only one first hinge connector48on one of two hinges46as second module42B. If first module40A is connected to second module42A, or first module40B is connected to second module42B, each module has a matching number of connectors as described above. However, if first module40A is connected to second module42B, there is one more first module connector48than there are matching first hinge connectors14. Thus, a connection is formed through only one of the hinges46. As a result, some functionality available in the first module40A may not be available, however, all functionality available in the second module42B may be available. Similarly, if the first module40B is connected to the second module42A, some functionality available in the second module42A may not be available, however, all functionality available in the first module40B may be available. Thus, any given first module40or second module42may be capable of connecting with a variety of modules having various connector combinations.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a method of coupling modules of an imaging product using a hinge with an integrated cable connection. As shown inFIG. 4, a second module42with a hinge46is aligned with a hinge receptacle52of the first module. Such alignment may include motion along a direction D1. When aligned, the second module42is moved along a direction D2such that the hinge46is inserted into the hinge receptacle52. When inserted, a first hinge connector14on the hinge46connects with a first module connector48.

The above described alignment and insertion may be performed by an end user of the product. As a result, a connection, particularly an electrical connection, may be made between the first module40and the second module42by the assembly process without making a separate cable connection. Because the end user is no longer required to make a connection separate from the assembly process, the potential for poor or intermittent connections between the first module40and the second module42is reduced. Connections with consistent quality may be formed merely by assembling the modules.

Although a hinge has been shown with a connector on one end such that when inserted into the receptacle, a connection is made to the first module, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other locations for the first hinge connector and other insertion techniques may be used. For example, if the first hinge connector is mounted on a side of the first housing10opposite the second module42, the second module42may be lowered on to the receptacle such that the insertion force for inserting the would be in the direction D1ofFIG. 4.