Patent Publication Number: US-2021165465-A1

Title: Hydraulic hinge assemblies

Description:
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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Examples are described in the following detailed description and in reference o the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an example hinge assembly for an electronic device, depicting a hydraulic unit; 
         FIG. 1B  is an exploded view of the example hinge assembly of  FIG. 1A , depicting additional features; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example hinge assembly, depicting a hydraulic unit to control movements of a first hinge member and a second hinge member; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a schematic diagram of an example electronic device, depicting transmission of a force applied at a second hinge bracket to a first hinge bracket during opening of a display unit, 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a schematic diagram of the example electronic device of  FIG. 3A , depicting transmission of a force applied at the second hinge bracket to the first hinge bracket during closing of the display unit; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of an example electronic device, depicting an example hinge assembly including a hydraulic unit; and 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates an exploded view of the example electronic device of  FIG. 4A  depicting additional features. 
     
    
    
     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. 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present techniques. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present apparatus, devices and systems may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described may be included in at least that one example, but not necessarily in other examples. 
     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. 1A  is a perspective view of an example hinge assembly  100  for an electronic device, depicting a hydraulic unit  108 . Example hinge assembly  100  may be a single-axis hinge assembly. Hinge assembly  100  may pivotally connect a first housing to a second housing along an axis, e.g., an axis of rotation. Example hinge assembly  100  may include a pair of hinges, i.e., a first hinge member  102 A and a second hinge member  102 B. 
     Further, first hinge member  102 A may include a first hinge base  104 A and a first hinge bracket  106 A pivotally connected to first hinge base  104 A. Second hinge member  102 B may include a second hinge base  1048  and a second hinge bracket  1068  pivotally connected to second hinge base  104 B. In some examples, first hinge bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B may engage with the first housing and first hinge base  104 A and second hinge base  104 B may engage with the second housing such that the first housing may be pivotally connected to the second housing. 
     Further, example hinge assembly  100  may include hydraulic unit  108  connected between first hinge member  102 A and second hinge member  102 B to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B. Example hydraulic unit  108  is explained in  FIG. 1B . 
       FIG. 1B  is an exploded view of example hinge assembly  100  of  FIG. 1A , depicting additional features. As shown in  FIG. 18 , first hinge bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B may hold a display unit  118 . Example display unit  118  may be a flexible display. 
     Further, hydraulic unit  108  may include a first piston-cylinder unit  110 A having a first piston  114 A disposed in a first cylinder  112 A. In one example, first piston-cylinder unit  110 A may be connected to first hinge member  102 A. Furthermore, hydraulic unit  108  may include a second piston-cylinder unit  110 B having a second piston  114 B disposed in a second cylinder  112 B. In one example, second piston-cylinder unit  110 B may be connected to second hinge member  102 B. In some examples, dimensions (e.g., sizes and shapes) of first piston-cylinder unit  110 A and second piston-cylinder unit  1108  may be equal. Also, hydraulic unit  108  may include a hydraulic pipe  116  connected between first piston-cylinder unit  110 A and second piston-cylinder unit  110 B. 
     In one example, first piston  114 A and second piston  114 B may be connected to first hinge bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B, respectively. First piston  114 A and second piston  114 B can be extractable and retractable in first cylinder  112 A and second cylinder  112 B, respectively. For example, retracting first piston  114 A and second piston  114 B may rotate first hinge bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B to open the display unit and extracting first piston  114 A and second piston  114 B may rotate first hinge bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B to close the display unit. 
     Further, one end of first cylinder  112 A and second cylinder  112 B may be fixedly secured to first hinge base  104 A and second hinge base  104 B, respectively. Further, other end of first cylinder  112 A and second cylinder  112 B 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 bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B). 
     Furthermore, hydraulic unit  108  may include hydraulic fluid  120  filled in first cylinder  112 A, second cylinder  112 B, and hydraulic pipe  116 . First piston-cylinder unit  110 A and second piston-cylinder unit  110 B may push or pull hydraulic fluid  120  between first cylinder  112 A and second cylinder  112 B through hydraulic pipe  116  to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B. In some examples, hydraulic fluid  120  may be pulled or pushed between first cylinder  112 A and second cylinder  112 B based on a direction of rotation of first hinge bracket  106 A and second hinge bracket  106 B relative to first hinge base  104 A and second hinge base  104 B. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example hinge assembly  200 , depicting a hydraulic unit  204  to control movements of a first hinge member  202 A and a second hinge member  202 B. Example hinge assembly  200  may include first hinge member  202 A, second hinge member  202 B, and hydraulic unit  204  connected between first hinge member  202 A and second hinge member  2028 . In one example, hydraulic unit  204  may control movements of first hinge member  202 A and second hinge member  202 B via an incompressible fluid  206 . An example mechanism to control movements of first hinge member  202 A and second hinge member  2028  is explained in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a schematic diagram of an example electronic device  300 , depicting transmission of a force applied at a second hinge bracket  3226  to a first hinge bracket  322 A during opening of a display unit  308 . For example, similarly named elements of  FIG. 3A  may be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect to  FIG. 2 . First hinge member  202 A may include a first hinge base  320 A and first hinge bracket  322 A pivotally connected to first hinge base  320 A. 
     Further, second hinge member  202 B may include a second hinge base  320 B and second hinge bracket  322 B pivotally connected to second hinge base  320 B. In one example, hydraulic unit (e.g., hydraulic unit  204  of  FIG. 2 ) may control movements of first hinge member  202 A and second hinge member  202 B by transmitting a force applied at first hinge bracket  322 A to second hinge bracket  322 B or vice versa via incompressible fluid  206 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , first and second hinge brackets  322 A and  322 B can be connected to display unit  308  and first and second hinge bases  320 A and  320 B can be connected to a base housing  310  (e.g., a keyboard unit) such that display unit  308  can be pivotably coupled to base housing  310 . 
     Hydraulic unit (e.g., hydraulic unit  204  of  FIG. 2 ) may include a first cylinder  302 A filled with incompressible fluid  206  and connected to first hinge base  320 A (e.g., at one end of first cylinder  302 A). Further, hydraulic unit  204  may include a first piston  304 A disposed in first cylinder  302 A (e.g., at another end of first cylinder  302 A) and connected to first hinge bracket  322 A such that first hinge bracket  322 A and first piston  304 A can be moved with each other. 
     Furthermore, hydraulic unit  204  may include a second cylinder  302 B filled with incompressible fluid  206  and connected to second hinge base  320 B (e.g., at one end of second cylinder  302 B). Also, hydraulic unit  204  may include a second piston  30413  disposed in second cylinder  3026  (e.g., at another end of second cylinder  302 B) and connected to second hinge bracket  322 B such that second hinge bracket  322 B and second piston  304 B can be moved with each other. In some examples, first and second pistons  304 A and  304 B and first and second cylinders  302 A and  302 B may be identical in shape and size. 
     Further, hydraulic unit  204  may include a hydraulic pipe  306  filled with incompressible fluid  208  and connected between first cylinder  302 A and second cylinder  302 B to transfer the force between first hinge bracket  322 A and second hinge bracket  322 B via first piston  304 A and second piston  304 B. In one example, one end of hydraulic pipe  306  may be connected to a front portion of second cylinder  302 B and another end of hydraulic pipe  306  may be connected to a rear portion of first cylinder  302 A. In alternate examples, one end of hydraulic pipe  306  can also be connected to a front portion of first cylinder  302 A and another end of hydraulic pipe  306  may be connected to a rear portion of second cylinder  302 B such that first piston  304 A and second piston  304 B are to move in the same direction during rotations of first hinge bracket  322 A and second hinge bracket  322 B. 
     Consider an example where display unit  308  can be opened by swinging second hinge bracket  322 B at right-hand right-hand side of display unit  308  (e.g., by holding display unit  308  at the right-hand side as shown by arrow  312 ). In this example, second hinge bracket  322 B can drive second piston  304 B to move forward (e.g,, as shown by arrow  314 ). Further, second piston  304 B may push incompressible fluid  206  (i.e., hydraulic fluid) from second cylinder  302 B to first cylinder  302 A through hydraulic pipe  306  (e.g. as shown by arrow  318 ). 
     Furthermore, incompressible fluid  206  may push first piston  304 A to move forward (e..g as shown by arrow  318 ). In addition, first piston  304 A may drive first hinge bracket  322 A to swing in the direction of rotation of second hinge bracket  322 B. Since the dimensions are same for first and second pistons  304 A and  304 B and first and second cylinders  302 A and  302 B, and due to the properties of incompressible fluid  206 , the movements of first hinge bracket  322 A and second hinge bracket  322 B can be synchronized. 
     In the example shown in FIG,  3 A, rotational motion of second hinge bracket  322 B may be converted into linear motion of second piston  304 B and the linear motion of first piston  304 A may be converted into rotational motion of first hinge bracket  322 A to provide the synchronous movements of first hinge bracket  322 A and second hinge bracket  322 B. 
     Similarly, when display unit  308  is opened by swinging first hinge bracket  322 A at a left-hand side of display unit  308  (e.g., by holding display unit  308  at the left-hand side), first hinge bracket  322 A can drive first piston  304 A to move forward (e.g., as shown by arrow  318 ), which in turn can pull incompressible fluid  206  to first cylinder  302 A. In this example, incompressible fluid  206  can be pulled from second cylinder  302 B to first cylinder  302 A through hydraulic pipe  306  (e.g., as shown by arrow  316 ). Furthermore, incompressible fluid  206  may pull second piston  304 B to move forward (e.g., as shown by arrow  314 ). In addition, second piston  304 B may drive second hinge bracket  322 B to swing to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket  322 A and second hinge bracket  322 B. 
       FIG. 38  illustrates a schematic diagram of example electronic device  300 , depicting transmission of a force applied at a second hinge bracket  322 B to a first hinge bracket  322 A during closing of a display unit  308 . For example, similarly named elements of  FIG. 38  may be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3A . 
     Consider an example where display unit  308  can be closed by swinging second hinge bracket  322 B at the right-hand side (e.g., by holding display unit  308  at the right-hand side as shown by arrow  352 ). In this example, second hinge bracket  322 B may drive second piston  304 B to move backward (e,g., as shown by arrow  354 ), Further, second piston  304 B may pull incompressible fluid  206  from first cylinder  302 A to second cylinder  302 B through hydraulic pipe  306  (e.g.. as shown by arrow  356 ). 
     Furthermore, incompressible fluid  206  may pull first piston  304 A to move backward (e.g, as shown by arrow  358 ). In addition, first piston  304 A may drive first hinge bracket  322 A to swing (i.e., in the direction of rotation of second hinge bracket  322 B). Since the dimensions are same for first and second pistons  304 A and  304 B and first and second cylinders  302 A and  302 B, and due to the properties of incompressible fluid  206 , the movements of first hinge bracket  322 A and second hinge bracket  322 B can be synchronized. 
     Similarly, when display unit  308  is closed by swinging first hinge bracket  322 A at, the left-hand side (e.g., by holding display unit  308  at the left-hand side), first hinge bracket  322 A can drive first piston  304 A to move backward (e.g., as shown by arrow  358 ), which in turn can push incompressible fluid  206  to second cylinder  3028 . In this example, incompressible fluid  208  can be pushed from first cylinder  302 A to second, cylinder  302 B through hydraulic pipe  306  (e.g., as shown by arrow  356 ). Furthermore, incompressible fluid  206  may push second piston  304 B to move backward (e.g., as shown by arrow  354 ). In addition, second piston  304 B may drive second hinge bracket  322 B to swing to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket  322 A and second hinge bracket  322 B. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of an example electronic device  400 , depicting an example hinge assembly  406  including a hydraulic unit  414 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , example electronic device  400  may include a display housing  402 , a base housing  404 , and hinge assembly  406  to pivotally connect display housing  402  and base housing  404 . Example electronic device  400  may 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 housing  402  closeable onto base housing  404 , Electronic device  400  may include a pair of hinges  408 A and  408 B to pivotally connect display housing  402  and base housing  404 . Display housing  402  can be rotated between a closed position and an open position. 
     For example, base housing  404  may house a keyboard, a battery,, a touchpad, and so on, Display housing  402  may 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, device  400  may be equipped with other components such as a camera, audio/video devices, and the like, depending on the functions of electronic device  400 . Hinge assembly  406  may be pivotally connected to display housing  402  and base housing  404  along a pivot axis. Hinge assembly  406  may allow display housing  402  to rotate in directions about the pivot axis relative to base housing  404 . 
     Further, hinge assembly  406  may include first hinge  408 A, second hinge  408 B, and hydraulic unit  414  connected between first hinge  408 A and second hinge  408 B. First hinge  408 A may include a first hinge base  410 A connected to base housing  404 . Further, first hinge  408 A may include a first hinge bracket  412 A pivotally connected to first hinge base  410 A and fixedly connected to display housing  402 . 
     Second hinge  408 B may include a second hinge base  410 B connected to base housing  404 . Further, second hinge  408 Bmay include a second hinge bracket  412 B pivotally connected to second hinge base  410 B and fixedly connected to display housing  402 . In some examples, first hinge bracket  412 A and second hinge bracket  412 B may hold the flexible display. 
     Furthermore, hydraulic unit  414  may be connected between first hinge  408 A and second hinge  408 B to provide synchronous movements between first hinge bracket  412 A and second hinge bracket  412 B during rotations of display housing  402  relative to base housing  404 . Example hydraulic unit  414  may be described in  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a perspective view ;of example electronic device  400  of  FIG. 4A , depicting additional features. For example, similarly named elements of  FIG. 4B  may be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect to  FIG. 4A . As shown in  FIG. 4B , first hinge bracket  412 A may be pivotally connected to first hinge base  410 A via a coupling structure  464 A, and second hinge bracket  412 B may be pivotally connected to second hinge base  410 B via a coupling structure  464 B. For example, coupling structures  464 A and  464 B may include protrusions defined in first and second hinge brackets  412 A and  412 B, and recesses/openings defined in, first and second hinge bases  410 A and  410 B to rotatably receive a respective one of the protrusions. 
     Hydraulic unit  414  may include a first piston-cylinder unit  452 A, a second piston-cylinder unit  452 B, and a hydraulic pipe  458  connected between first piston-cylinder unit  452 A and second piston-cylinder unit  4528 . First piston-cylinder unit  452 A may include a first cylinder  454 A mounted on first hinge base  410 A Further, first piston-cylinder unit  452 A may include a first piston  456 A disposed in first cylinder  454 A and connected to first hinge bracket  412 A. 
     Second piston-cylinder unit  452 B may include a second cylinder  454 B mounted on second hinge base  410 B. Further, second piston-cylinder unit  452 B may include a second piston  456 B disposed in second cylinder  454 B and connected to second hinge bracket  412 B. Hydraulic unit  414  may include hydraulic fluid filled in first piston-cylinder unit  452 A second piston-cylinder unit  452 B, and hydraulic pipe  458 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , one end of first cylinder  454 A may be connected to first hinge base  410 A via a coupling structure  460 A, and one end of second cylinder  4548  may be connected to second hinge base  410 B via a coupling structure  460 B, For example, coupling structures  460 A and  460 B may include protrusions defined in first and second hinge bases  410 A and  410 B, and recesses/openings defined in first and second cylinders  454 A and  454 B to rotatably receive a respective one of the protrusions. 
     Further, first piston  456 A may be connected to first hinge bracket  412 A via a coupling structure  462 A, and second piston  456 B may be connected to second hinge bracket  412 B via a coupling structure  462 B. For example, coupling structures  462 A and  462 B may include protrusions defined in first and second hinge brackets  412 A and  412 B, and recesses/openings defined in first and second pistons  456 A and  456 B to rotatably receive a respective one of the protrusions. 
     In one example, first piston-cylinder unit  452 A and second piston-cylinder unit  452 B may push or pull the hydraulic fluid between first cylinder  454 A and second cylinder  454 B via hydraulic pipe  458  based on a direction of rotation of display housing  402  relative to base housing  404 . In some examples, hydraulic pipe  458  may be connected between first piston-cylinder unit  452 A and second piston-cylinder unit  452 B such that first piston  458 A and second piston  456 B are to synchronously move forward during opening of display housing  402  relative to base housing  404 , and to synchronously move backward during closing of display housing  402  relative to base housing  404 . 
     Even though  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate 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. 1-4  illustrate 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. 
     The present description has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing examples. It is understood, however, that other forms, details, and examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter that is defined in the following claims.