Patent Publication Number: US-2007117600-A1

Title: Flexible hinge for portable electronic device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention concerns portable electronic devices and more particularly, hinges for such devices.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      In recent years, the use of portable electronic devices, such as cellular telephones and portable digital assistants, has exploded. Many of these devices include two basic sections. In particular, many cellular telephones are clam-shell shaped and include a base portion and a flip portion. Typically, the base portion includes a keypad and other control buttons, while the flip portion contains one or more displays and speakers. The flip portion and the base portion are generally coupled together through a snap hinge mechanism.  
      Generally, the snap hinge mechanism snaps the flip portion shut when the flip portion is moved towards the base portion. Similarly, the snap hinge mechanism snaps the flip portion open when the flip portion is opened and moved away from the base portion. Although convenient, the flip portion is unable to remain in any position other than in a completely closed or a completely open one. Moreover, the sudden snapping motion puts undue stresses on the flip and base portions of the clam-shell phone.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention concerns a flip-type portable electronic device. The device can include a base portion, a flip portion and a flexible hinge that can couple the flip portion to the base portion. In one arrangement, the flexible hinge can include a plurality of interlocking links that may rotate about a plurality of axles contained within the flexible hinge. The interlocking links may also rotate independently of one another. The rotation of the interlocking links can allow the flip portion to rotate with respect to the base portion.  
      As an example, the flip portion may remain in any one of a plurality of positions as it rotates with respect to the base portion. In addition, each position that the flip portion may remain in can correspond to one of a plurality of dwell positions that each link rotates between. As another example, the dwell positions may be either pre-slope positions or post-slop positions. Moreover, a feedback detent can be produced when the link rotates between a pre-slope dwell position and a post-slope dwell position.  
      In another arrangement, the flip-type electronic device can be a mobile communications unit, and the base portion may include a keypad and the flip portion may include a display. As another example, in a first state of rotation, one end of the flip portion may rest or may be positioned against the base portion, and an opening can be formed between a second end of the flip portion and the base portion that can receive a mechanism that holds the portable electronic device.  
      The flexible hinge can further include a plurality of cam springs and cams, and the cam springs can be coupled to the axles and the cams. Further, the cam springs can be coupled to the cams such that a cam spring is secured to two first cams and rides along a cam active surface of two second cams. In particular, the first cams may be positioned in a first link, and the second cams may be positioned in a second link. The cam active surfaces may include a ridge over which the cam springs ride, and a first end and a second end of the cam springs may be forced towards one another as the cam springs ride over the ridges of the cam active surfaces.  
      In yet another arrangement, ends of the axles may be contained within cavities of the links, and the links can rotate around the axles contained within their cavities. The links may also include a shell portion and an engagement portion, and the engagement portion of a first link can fit within the shell portion of a second link. As an example but without limitation, the flip portion may rotate about 155 degrees with respect to the base portion, and each link may rotate about 31 degrees.  
      The present invention also concerns a flexible hinge. The hinge can include a plurality of links, and the links can include a shell portion and an engagement portion. The engagement portion of a first link can fit within the shell portion of a second link. The hinge can also include a plurality of cams having cam active surfaces and a plurality of cam springs coupled to the links and to a plurality of axles. The cam springs can ride along the cam active surfaces. In one arrangement, the links can rotate around the axles a number of degrees as the cam springs ride along the cam active surfaces, and the rotation of the links can enable the links to move between open and closed positions. As an example, the cams can include an aperture, and the cam springs can be positioned within the apertures of the cams.  
      The present invention also concerns a flip-type portable electronic device. The device can include a base portion, a flip portion and a flexible hinge that can couple the flip portion to the base portion and can enable the flip portion to rotate a number of degrees with respect to the base portion. As an example, the flexible hinge can have a plurality of links in which each link may rotate a number of degrees such that the total sum of the degrees of rotation of the links can at least substantially equal the number of degrees that the flip portion may rotate. As another example, the base portion can include a keypad, and the flip portion can include a display. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:  
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a flip-type portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements;  
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a flexible hinge of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1  with the device in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements;  
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a flexible hinge of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1  with the device in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements;  
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of several internal components of the flexible hinge of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements;  
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of several cams and cam springs in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements; and  
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a cam in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements; 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.  
      As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.  
      The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The terms “coupled” and “engagement,” as used herein, are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.  
      The present invention concerns a flip-type portable electronic device that can include a base portion, a flip portion and a flexible hinge that may couple the flip portion to the base portion. The flexible hinge flexible hinge can include a plurality of interlocking links that can rotate about a plurality of axles contained within the flexible hinge, and the interlocking links may rotate independently of one another. The rotation of the interlocking links can allow the flip portion to rotate with respect to the base portion.  
      In one arrangement, the flip portion may remain in any one of a plurality of positions as it rotates with respect to the base portion. Each position that the flip portion may remain in can correspond to one of a plurality of dwell positions that each link rotates between. As such, a user may rotate the flip portion to any desired position with respect to the base portion.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example of a flip-type portable electronic device  100  is shown. In this example, the portable electronic device  100  may be a flip-type mobile communications unit, such as a cellular phone, although the invention is not so limited. In one embodiment, the device  100  can include a flip portion  110 , a base portion  112  and a flexible hinge  114 , which can couple the flip portion  110  to the base portion  112 . The flexible hinge  114  can include one or more links  115 , which can be interlocking members, as shown. As will be explained below, the interlocking links  115  may rotate about a plurality of axles (not shown here) contained within the flexible hinge  114  and the interlocking links  115  may rotate independently of one another. The rotation of the interlocking links  115  can allow the flip portion  110  to rotate with respect to the base portion  112 . In one arrangement, the base portion  112  can include a keypad  116 , and the flip portion  110  can have one or more displays  118 .  
      In this example, the flip portion  110  may be in a first state of rotation in which at least one end  119  of the flip portion  110  may rest against the base portion  112 , and an opening  120  may be formed between a second end  121  of the flip portion  110  and the base portion  112 . This opening  120  can receive a mechanism (not shown) that can hold the device  100 . For example, the flip portion  110  and the base portion  112  may be closed around a belt or a purse strap, for example, and the belt or strap can hold the device  100  in place.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view of the flexible hinge  114  in a closed position is shown. This closed position refers to the end  119  of the flip portion  110  resting or sitting on the base portion  112  (see  FIG. 1 ). The links  115  can rotate about axles  122  for a number of degrees. As an example, a segment  123  of the flip portion  110  can be considered a link  115 , too. In particular, the links  115  can include a shell portion  124  and an engagement portion  126 , and the engagement portion  126  of a first link  115  can slide into and fit within the shell portion  124  of a second link  115 . The interlocking nature of the links  115  can also be seen in  FIG. 1 . This feature can help the links  115  rotate about the axles  122 . A number of cams  128  can be positioned in the links  115 , and their operation will be described below. An example of the flexible hinge  114  in an open position is shown in  FIG. 3 . For purposes of the invention, an open position can be any position of the device  100  in which the end  119  of the flip portion  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) is lifted off of the base portion  112 .  
      In one arrangement, the flip portion  110  may remain in any one of a plurality of portions as it rotates with respect to the base portion  112 . As an example, each position that the flip portion  110  may remain in can correspond to one of a plurality of dwell positions that each link  115  can rotate between. For example, the flip portion  110  may rotate about 155 degrees with respect to the base portion  112 . In accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements, the flip portion  110  may remain in any fractional degree value of this 155 degree rotation, and these values may correspond to positions that the links  115  can rotate between.  
      For example, the links  115  may rotate from zero degrees to about thirty-one degrees. In particular, focusing on  FIG. 2 , the engagement portions  126  of the links  115  can be at a first position, such as zero degrees, which may also be a dwell position. As the flip portion  110  is moved away from the base portion  112 , the engagement portions  126  can slide into the shell portions  124 , which is shown in  FIG. 3 . During this process, each of the links  115  may rotate to a second position, such as about thirty-one degrees, which can also be a dwell position. In addition, the flip portion  110  may stop at any position during its rotation. For example, three links  115  may rotate their full range of motion, such as roughly thirty-one degrees, and the flip portion  110  may be kept in this position. It is important to note that the links  115  are not limited to being rotated in a sequential fashion from one end to another, as any suitable number of the links  115  may be rotated any suitable number of degrees at any suitable time.  
      In one arrangement, the links  115  can rotate a number of degrees such that the total sum of the degrees of rotation of the links  115  at least substantially equals the number of degrees that the flip portion  110  can rotate. For example, each of the links  115  can rotate about thirty-one degrees, and the sum of the five links  115  (including the segment  123  of the flip portion  110 ) can at least substantially equal the number of degrees that the flip portion  110  can rotate, which in this example is about 155 degrees. For purposes of the invention, the term “about thirty-one degrees” can include thirty-one degrees plus or minus ten degrees. In addition, the term “about 155 degrees” can include 155 degrees plus or minus fifteen degrees.  
      Of course, the invention is in no way limited to having five links  115  and their ranges of motion are not limited to thirty-one degrees. Moreover, the full range of motion of the flip portion  110  is not limited to 155 degrees, as the flip portion  110  can have any other suitable range of motion.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , several links  115 , axles  122  and cams  128  are shown. The links  115  are shown in transparency to illustrate the components contained therein. The links  115  may also include one or more cam springs  130 , which can be coupled to the axles  122 . In one embodiment, the ends of the axles  122  can be contained within cavities  132  of the links  115 , which can permit the links  115  to rotate around the axles  122 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the axles  122 , the cams  128  and the cam springs  130  are shown without the links  115  for clarity. Referring to  FIG. 6 , an example of a cam  128  is shown. The cam  128  can include one or more securing channels  134  and one or more cam active surfaces  136 , which can include one or more ridges  138 . The cam  128  may also have a first wall  140 , a second wall  142  and an aperture  143 , which can receive the axles  122 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , a portion of the cam springs  130  may be secured to the cams  128  through the securing channels  134 . For example, referring to  FIG. 4  in particular, the cam spring  130  positioned closer to the bottom of the drawing may be secured to the securing channels  134  of two cams  128 . Here, this portion of the cam springs  130  may remain substantially secured in the securing channels  134  at all times.  
      Another portion  144  of the cam springs  130  may ride along the cam active surfaces  136  of the cams  128 . As an example, the portion  144  of the cam spring  130  can be positioned against the first wall  140 , and this can be a dwell position or a pre-slope position. Also, the rotation at this state can be considered zero degrees. As the flip portion  110  is moved from the base portion  112 , the portion  138  of the cam spring  130  can move away from the first wall  140  and can ride along the cam active surface  136  towards the ridge  138 . As it rides over the ridge  138 , the portion  144  of the cam spring  130  can be forced away from the cam active surface  136 . In particular, the portion  144 , which may also be referred to as a first end, can be forced towards a corresponding second end  146  (see  FIG. 5 ).  
      Eventually, the portion  144  of the cam spring  130  can overcome the ridge  138 , and when it does, a feedback detent can be produced. For example, the portion  144  can ride along the cam active surface  136  until it moves against the second wall  142 . This positioning can also be a dwell position, or a post-slope position. As noted earlier, the movement of the portion  144  of the cam spring  130  can occur when the links  115  are rotated. As such, the feedback detent can be produced when the links  115  rotate between pre-slope and post-slope dwell positions. These dwell positions can also correspond to the plurality of positions that the flip portion  110  may rest in when it is moved away from the base portions  112 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , the cam spring  130  positioned closer to the top of the drawing can be secured in the securing channels  134  of two cams  128 , i.e., the cams  128  positioned closer to the top of the drawing. These cams  128  can be positioned within a first link  115 , or the link  115  closer to the top of the drawing. In addition, the portions  144  of this cam spring  130  can ride along the cam active surfaces  136  of the cams  128  that are positioned closer to the bottom of the drawing. This cam spring  130  can also be fed through the apertures  143  of these cams  128 , and these cams  128  can be positioned within a second link  115 , or the link  115  that is closer to the bottom of the drawing.  
      Although the preceding figures have presented examples of various components to enable the flexible hinge  114  to operate, it is understood that the invention is not so limited. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that any other suitable structure can be used in the flexible hinge  114 .  
      While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.