Patent Publication Number: US-2023152843-A1

Title: Support structures for hardware elements

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices such as computing devices may be used along external hardware elements, e.g., accessories. These external hardware elements may be supported on a housing of the computing device, in some situations, or otherwise kept close to the electronic device for easy use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and are not limited in the following figure(s), in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  shows an electronic device having a support structure for an external hardware element, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  1 B  shows a detailed view of the electronic device of  FIG.  1 A  having the support structure in an open position; 
         FIG.  1 C  shows a detailed view of the electronic device of  FIG.  1    having the support structure in a closed position; 
         FIG.  2 A  shows an electronic device housing having a support structure in an open position, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 B  shows the electronic device housing of  FIG.  2 A  having a support structure in an intermediate position; 
         FIG.  2 C  shows the electronic device housing of  FIG.  2 A  having a support structure in a closed position; 
         FIG.  3 A  shows a cross-sectional side view of a device housing and a support structure in a closed position, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 B  shows a cross-sectional side view of the device housing and the support structure of  FIG.  3 A  in an open position; 
         FIG.  4    shows a cross-sectional side view of a device housing and a support structure, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    shows a cross-sectional side view of a device housing and a support structure having a recess, according to an example of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring mainly to examples. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, some methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure. 
     Throughout the present disclosure, the terms “a” and “an” are intended to denote at least one of a particular element. As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but not limited to, the term “including” means including but not limited to. 
     Electronic devices comprise housings in which hardware elements are disposed. These electronic devices may be used along additional external hardware elements, such as headphones, earphones, computer mice, microphones, joysticks, remote controls, amongst other examples. A user may want to stow one (or more) of his/her external hardware elements by its electronic device so as to keep them close to the electronic device when hardware elements are not being used. 
     Support structures for hardware elements may be disposed on an external surface of an electronic device as a part of the device housing in order to help stow hardware elements such as accessories. However, these support structures may deteriorate the look of the electronic device. In order to provide more flexibility to the users, attachable support structures may be provided as a complement for the electronic devices. However, as previously explained, the aesthetic of the attachable support structure may also negatively affect the look of the electronic device. 
     In order to stow or support external hardware elements, foldable supports may be incorporated in the device housings. These foldable supports may enable a user to select its preferred configuration for its external hardware element(s). The foldable nature of the foldable supports may help preserve or improve the aesthetics or appearance of the electronic device while providing a support for external hardware elements when desired. 
     Disclosed herein are examples of electronic devices comprising foldable support structures to hold external hardware elements through foldable elements. Hence, different examples of device housings, support structures, and systems are described. 
     Examples of support structures comprise hangers, hooks, tabs, or any other element rotatable about a pivot element having a series of angular positions. 
     Throughout this description, the term “electronic device” refers generally to electronic devices that comprise support structures for external hardware elements. Examples of electronic devices comprise displays, computer desktops, all-in-one computers, portable computers, printers, and additive manufacturing machines ( 3 D printers), amongst others. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1 A , an electronic device  100  comprising a device housing  105  and a support structure  120  is shown. The device housing  105  comprises an outer surface  110 , wherein the outer surface  110  may have different geometries depending on the device housing  105  of the electronic device  100 . The outer surface  110  comprises an indentation  112 , which may be a cavity within the device housing  105  relative to the outer surface  110 . The support structure  120  is rotatable about a pivot element (not shown in  FIG.  1   ) so as to provide a support surface to an external hardware element. Since the support structure  120  is rotatable, the support structure may be folded and/or unfolded from the cavity  112  whenever a user may want to hold, stow, or otherwise support the external hardware element. In order to define a series of angular positions for the support structure  120 , the indentation  112  may comprise braking elements, such as detents or stopping elements. 
     In some examples, the indentation comprises a set of detents to engage with the support element. The set of detents may comprise a single detent, a first detent and a second detent, or any other configuration that may define a series of angular positions for the support structure. 
     It should be noted that, although the electronic device of  FIG.  1    corresponds to an all-in-one computer, other types of electronic devices may be used, as previously explained in other examples. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1 B , a detailed view of the electronic device  100  of  FIG.  1    having the support structure  120  in an open position is shown. In the open position, the support structure  120  protrudes from the outer surface  110 , thus enabling support for an external hardware element. A user may hang, balance, or otherwise support a hardware element by placing it on an inner surface of a portion of the support structure  120  that is protruding from the outer surface  110 . In order to balance forces applied at the portion of the support structure  120  that is protruding from the outer surface  110 , other elements or structure may be implemented on an opposing side of the pivot element, as described below. In an example, the support structure  120  comprises a projecting element to engage with a set of detents disposed in the indentation  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1 C , a detailed view of the electronic device  100  of  FIG.  1    having the support structure  120  in a closed position is shown. In the closed position, a first portion  121  of the support structure  120  and a second portion  122  of the support structure  120  are aligned with the outer surface  110  of the electronic device  100 , and therefore, the support structure  120  is aligned with the outer surface  110 . A user may select the closed position of the support structure  120  when the hardware element is being used. The first portion  121  may correspond to a portion of the support structure  120  which rotates into the indentation  112  when the support structure  120  is to be used. The second portion  122  may correspond to a portion of the support structure  120  which rotates outwards from the indentation  112  when the support structure  120  is to be used. 
     A user may change the position of the support structure  120  from the closed position to the open position by applying a force on the first portion  121 , e.g., pushing it inwards. Upon application of a force on the first portion  121 , the support structure  120  may rotate about the pivot element such that the second portion  122  protrudes from the outer surface  110  of the device housing. 
     In the same way, a user may change from the open position to the closed position by applying a force on the second portion of the support structure  120  so that the support structure  120  is rotated back within the indentation  112 . 
     In some examples, the open position may be associated to a first locking position of the support structure and the closed position may be associated to a second locking position of the support structure. During a locking position, the support structure may engage with a corresponding detent disposed in the indentation. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 A , an electronic device housing  205  having a support structure  220  in an open position is shown. In an example, the electronic device housing  205  may correspond to the one previously explained in reference to  FIGS.  1 A to  1 C . The electronic device housing  205  comprises an outer surface  210 , an indentation  212 , a pivot element  226  disposed within the indentation  212 , and a support structure  220 . The support structure  220  may correspond to the support structure  120  of  FIGS.  1 A to  1 C . The support structure  220  is rotatable about the pivot element  226 , and therefore, a series of positions of the support structure  220  can be obtained based on its rotation. The indentation  212  may comprise different sections, wherein the sections may have different geometries so as to constrain and/or accommodate the rotation of the support structure  220 . The pivot element  226  may be a post, pin, rod, hinge, or other type of component capable of enabling rotation of the support structure  220 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  2 A , the indentation  212  comprises a first linear section  213 , a first curved section  214 , and a second curved section  215 . For illustrative purposes, dashed lines have been added to better define the different sections within the indentation  212 . In the open position of the support structure  220 , a first inner surface of the support structure  220  contacts a first stopping element comprised within the second curved section  215 . In an example, the first stopping element may be a stopper. The first curved section  214  may comprise a set of detents, wherein each detent of the set of detents defines an angular position of the support structure  220 . In order to engage with each detent, the support structure  220  comprises a projecting element having a protrusion. In case the protrusion is engaged with a detent, the position of the support structure  220  is locked. As shown, a radius of the first curved section  214  is smaller than a radius of the second curved section  215  so as to enable and/or accommodate a rotation of the support structure  220 , and/or the projection element thereof, within the cavity defined by the indentation  212 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 B , the electronic device housing  205  is shown wherein the support structure  220  is in an intermediate position. In the intermediate position, a protrusion  225   a  of a projecting element  225  of the support structure  220  is not engaged with either a first detent  214   a  or a second detent  214   b . In other examples, the projecting element  225  may engage with the first detent  214   a  or the second detent  214   b  through the protrusion  225   a  extending from the projection element  225 . Upon the protrusion  225   a  engaging with one detent, a locking position may be defined. In an example, a first locking position corresponds to the protrusion  225   a  being engaged with the second detent  214   b  and a second locking position corresponds to the protrusion  225   a  being engaged with the first detent  214   a.    
     In the example of  FIG.  2 B , the first linear section  213 , the first curved section  214  and the second curved section  215  correspond to the sections previously explained in  FIG.  2 A . The first linear section  213  comprises a second stopping element  213   a  to contact with an inner surface  224  of a second portion of the support structure  220 . The first curved section  214  comprises the first detent  214   a  and the second detent  214   b . The second curved section  215  comprises a first stopping element  215   a  to contact an inner surface  223  of a first portion of the support structure  220 . Therefore, the support structure  220  is to rotate between the first stopping element  215   a  and the second stopping element  213   a . In other examples, the first stopping element  215   a  may be alternatively referred to as a stopper. 
     Although in  FIG.  2 B  the stopping element  215   a  is comprised in an interface area or wall between the first curved section  214  and the second curved section  215 , other different geometries may be possible, such as protruding elements on the second curved section  215  surface. Similarly, in some examples, the second stopping element  213   a  may be a wall or portion of a surface of the indentation  212 . However, in other examples, different geometries are possible, such as protruding elements disposed within the indentation  212 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 C , the electronic device housing  205  is shown wherein the support structure  220  is in a closed position. In the closed position, the inner surface  224  of the second portion of the support structure  220  contacts the second stopping element  213   a  disposed within the first linear section  213 . In the closed position of the support structure  220 , a first portion  221  and a second portion  222  are aligned with the outer surface  210  of the electronic device housing  205 . Furthermore, the protrusion  225   a  of the projecting element  225  of the support structure  220  is engaged with the first detent  214   a.    
     In other examples, the indentation  212  may comprise other geometries. In an example, the indentation  212  comprises a first linear section and a first curved section, wherein the first curved section comprises a protruding element on its surface so as to provide the first stopping element previously described. In other examples, the support structure  220  may further comprise a hook element projecting at a distal side of the inner surface  224  of the second portion. A hook detent may be comprised in the first linear section so as to engage with the hook projecting element of the support structure  220 . In other examples, the set of detents may be provided so as to engage with the support structure  220  in an open position but not in the closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3 A , a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device  300  having a support structure  320  in a closed position is shown. The electronic device  300  comprises a device housing  305  having an outer surface  310 . An indentation may be defined relative to the outer surface  310  such that the support structure  320  has surfaces aligned with the outer surface  310  in the closed position. The support structure  320  is rotatable about a pivot element  326 . As previously explained, examples of pivot elements  326  comprise a post, pin, rod, hinge, or other any other type of component capable of enabling rotation of a support structure  320 . 
     A first portion  321  and a second portion  322  may be defined for the support structure  320  so that a force applied against the first portion  321  rotates the second portion  322  of the support structure  320  outwards from the indentation, and therefore, the support structure  320  protrudes from the outer surface  310 . The indentation comprises a first linear section  313  and a first curved section  314 , wherein the first curved section  314  comprises a set of detents. 
     In the closed position, a first detent  314   a  engages with a projecting element  325  of the support structure  320  through a protrusion  325   a . In the closed position of the support structure  320 , an inner surface of the second portion  322  of the support structure  320  contacts at least a portion of the first linear section  313 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3 B , a cross-sectional side view of the electronic device  300  is shown wherein the support structure  320  is in an open position. In the open position, the support structure  320  extends laterally from the outer surface  310  of the device housing  305 . As a result, the first portion  321  of the support structure  320  rotates into the indentation  312 . In the open position, the protrusion  325   a  of the projecting element  325  engages with a second detent  314   b  disposed in the first curved section  314 . The support structure  320  comprises a first inner surface  323  of the first portion  321  and a second inner surface  324  of the second portion  322 . 
     When the support structure  320  is in the closed position, the second inner surface  324  may contact a stopping element  313   a  disposed on the first linear section  313 . In other examples, additional stopping elements can be added so as to define the rotation of the support structure  320 , for instance a stopping element on the surface of the first curved section  314  so as to contact the first inner surface  323 . 
     However, in other examples, additional elements may not be used, since the support structure  320  defines its rotation by the engagement of the second detent  314   b  with the protrusion  325   a  and the contact of the second inner surface  324  with the stopping element  313   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , a cross-sectional side view of a device housing  405  and a support structure  420  is shown. The device housing  405  corresponds to the housing of an electronic device  400 . The device housing  405  comprises an outer surface  410 , wherein the outer surface  410  comprises an indentation  412 . The indentation  412  comprises a set of detents so that a projecting element  425  of the support structure  420  can engage with the set of detents through a protrusion  425   a . The support structure  420  is rotatable about a pivot element  426  between a first position in which the support structure  420  is aligned with the outer surface  410  of the device housing  405  and a second position in which the support structure  420  extends laterally relative to the outer surface  410 . For illustrative purposes, the example of  FIG.  4    shows the first position of the support structure  420  in dashed lines and a possible second position of the support structure  420  in solid lines. 
     As previously described, the indentation  412  may comprise different geometries. In  FIG.  4   , the indentation  412  comprises a first linear section  413 , a first curved section  414 , and a second curved section  415 . The first curved section  414  comprises a detent  414   a , and the second curved section  415  comprises a stopping element  415   a . A radius of the first curved section  414  is smaller than a radius of the second curved section  415  so that an interface area between both sections defines the stopping element  415   a.    
     In the first position, the protrusion  425   a  of the projecting element  425  is not engaged with the detent  414   a  of the set of detents. Instead, the first portion and the second portion of the support structure  420  are aligned with the outer surface  410  of the device housing  405 . However, in the second position, the support structure  420  can rotate about the pivot element  426  until the protrusion  425   a  engages with the detent  414   a  and the inner surface of the first portion of the support structure  420  contacts with the stopping element  415   a . In the second position, a hardware element can be supported by the support structure  420 . 
     A shift from the first position to the second position may occur upon a force being applied against a first portion of the support structure  420 , i.e., pushing the first portion of the support structure  420  inwards towards or into the second curved section  415 . A shift from the second position to the first position may occur upon a force being applied against a second portion of the support structure  420 , substantially opposite or distal from the first portion, i.e., pushing or rotating the support structure  420  inwards towards the first linear section  413 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , a cross-sectional side view of a device housing  505  and a support structure  520  having a recess  527  is shown. The device housing  505  may correspond to the housing of an electronic device  500 . The device housing  505  comprises an outer surface  510 , wherein the outer surface  510  comprises an indentation  512 . For illustrative purposes, the example of  FIG.  5    shows the closed position of the support structure  520  in dashed lines and a possible open position of the support structure  520  in solid lines. 
     In the example of  FIG.  5   , the indentation  512  comprises a first linear section  513  and a first curved section  514 , wherein the first curved section  514  comprises a first detent  514   a  and a second detent  514   b . The support structure  520  is rotatable about a pivot element  526  disposed within the indentation  512 , wherein the support structure  520  comprises a projecting element  525  to engage with each detent of the set defined by the first detent  514   a  and the second detent  514   b . The projecting element  525  engages with a detent of the set of detents through a protrusion  525   a . The support structure  520  further comprises the recess  527  at a distal side of an inner surface of the support structure  520 . A hook projecting element  528  is adjacent to the recess  527 , wherein the combination of the recess  527  and the hook projecting element  528  may receive and support an external device, or a portion thereof. In other examples, the support structure  520  may not comprise the hook projecting element  528  and the recess  527  may be used to support an external device while the support structure  520  extends laterally. 
     In an example, the external device may be a headphone having a headband. In the open position of the support structure  520 , the headphone may be hung on the support structure by placing the headband within the recess  527 , whereby it is supported both vertically and laterally by the recess  527 . In the closed position of the support structure  520 , the support structure  520  is aligned with the outer surface  510  of the device housing  505 . 
     According to an example, the indentation  512  of  FIG.  5    may comprise a further curved section, as described in  FIG.  4   . The first detent  514   a  of the indentation  514  may be replaced with the stopping element generated by an interface area or wall between the first curved section and the second curved section. In other examples, the first linear section  513  may comprise a second stopping element to contact the hook projecting element  528 . In some examples, the first linear section  513  may comprise a hook detent so as to engage with the hook projecting element  528  of the support structure  520  of  FIG.  5   . 
     According to an example, a system comprises a hardware element and an electronic device such as a computing device. The electronic device comprises a device housing having an outer surface, a pivot element disposed within an indentation, and a support structure rotatable about the pivot element. The indentation may be a cavity of the device housing relative to the outer surface. As previously described, the indentation comprises a set of detents that define a series of angular positions for the support structure. The support structure is disposed within the indentation and comprises a projecting element to engage through a protrusion with each detent of the set of detents. Upon applying a force against a first portion of the support structure, a second portion of the support structure is to protrude from the outer surface of the device housing so that the hardware element is supported by an inner surface of the second portion. 
     In an example, the electronic device may correspond to a support structure having a recess in the inner surface of the second portion. The hardware element may be disposed on the recess so as to provide a lateral movement of the hardware element which may cause undesirable damage over the hardware element. 
     In another example, the support structure may comprise a hook projecting element in the inner surface of the second portion, wherein the hook projecting element is to engage with a hook detent disposed within the indentation. In an example, the hook detent may be disposed on a first linear section of the indentation. In other examples, the hook projecting element may be used without the recess, as previously explained in the description. 
     In some examples, the hardware element is a headphone having a headband, wherein the headband contacts the inner surface of the second portion of the support structure in the open position of the support structure. 
     In some other examples, the hardware element may correspond to the examples previously described, such as headphones, earphones, computer mice, microphones, joysticks, remote controls, amongst other examples. 
     However, it should be noted that in other examples, the support structures and/or the device housings previously described in reference to  FIGS.  1  to  5    may be combined so as to obtain a system in which a hardware element is supported by an electronic device. 
     What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of the disclosure along with some variations. The terms, descriptions, and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Many variations are possible within the scope of the disclosure, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.