PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9935413-B1
Application Number: US-201715429243-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Hinge pin with electrical connection through a cylindrical pin body

Abstract:
A hinge pin includes a pin body, a first electrical connector located at a first end of the pin body, a second electrical connector located at a second end of the pin body, and electrical conductors that electrically connect the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. The hinge pin may be incorporated in a hinge to connect a first hinge part and a second hinge part for rotation. The hinge may be incorporated in an apparatus in which first and second wire harnesses are connected to the first and second electrical connectors of the hinge pin by third and fourth electrical connectors.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hinge pin, comprising:
 a pin body having a cylindrical surface that extends around a longitudinal axis; 
 a first electrical connector located at a first end of the pin body; 
 a second electrical connector located at a second end of the pin body; and 
 electrical conductors that extend through the pin body to electrically connect the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. 
 
     
     
       2. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first and second electrical connectors are fixed to the pin body, 
 the first and second electrical connectors each have electrical contacts, 
 the electrical contacts of the first electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts, 
 the electrical contacts of the second electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts, 
 the pin body extends along the longitudinal axis, 
 the pin body defines an internal space, 
 the internal space extends along the longitudinal axis from the first end of the pin body to the second end of the pin body, 
 the first electrical connector is located at the first end of the internal space, 
 the second electrical connector is located at the second end of the internal space, 
 the electrical conductors are located in the internal space, and 
 the pin body has a widened portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrical connectors are fixed to the pin body. 
     
     
       4. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrical connectors each have electrical contacts. 
     
     
       5. The hinge pin of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical contacts of the first electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts and the electrical contacts of the second electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts. 
     
     
       6. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the pin body defines an internal space, the first electrical connector is located at the first end of the internal space, the second electrical connector is located at the second end of the internal space, and the electrical conductors are located in the internal space. 
     
     
       7. The hinge pin of  claim 6 , wherein the pin body extends along the longitudinal axis, and the internal space extends along the longitudinal axis from the first end of the pin body to the second end of the pin body. 
     
     
       8. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the pin body is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       9. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the pin body has a widened portion. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus, comprising:
 a first hinge part; 
 a second hinge part; and 
 a hinge pin that connects the first hinge part to the second hinge part, the hinge pin having a pin body that defines a bearing surface that engages the first hinge part and the second hinge part to allow relative rotation of the first and second hinge parts, a first electrical connector located at a first end of the pin body, a second electrical connector located at a second end of the pin body, and electrical conductors that electrically connect the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. 
 
     
     
       11. The hinge pin of  claim 10 , wherein the pin body defines an internal space, the first electrical connector is located at the first end of the internal space, and the second electrical connector is located at the second end of the internal space. 
     
     
       12. The hinge pin of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical conductors are located in the internal space. 
     
     
       13. The hinge pin of  claim 12 , wherein the pin body extends along a longitudinal axis, and the internal space extends along the longitudinal axis from the first end of the pin body to the second end of the pin body. 
     
     
       14. The hinge pin of  claim 10 , wherein at least part of the bearing surface is cylindrical. 
     
     
       15. The hinge pin of  claim 10 , wherein the pin body has a widened portion. 
     
     
       16. The hinge pin of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second electrical connectors are fixed to the pin body and the first and second electrical connectors each have electrical contacts. 
     
     
       17. The hinge pin of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical contacts of the first electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts and the electrical contacts of the second electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts. 
     
     
       18. The hinge pin of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the pin body defines an internal space, 
 the first electrical connector is located at the first end of the internal space, 
 the second electrical connector is located at the second end of the internal space, 
 the electrical conductors are located in the internal space, 
 the pin body extends along a longitudinal axis, and the internal space extends along the longitudinal axis from the first end of the pin body to the second end of the pin body, 
 at least part of the bearing surface is cylindrical, 
 the pin body has a widened portion, 
 the first and second electrical connectors are fixed to the pin body and the first and second electrical connectors each have electrical contacts, 
 the electrical contacts of the first electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts, 
 electrical contacts of the second electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts, 
 a first wire harness having a third electrical connector that is connected to the first electrical connector; and 
 a second wire harness having a fourth electrical connector that is connected to the second electrical connector. 
 
     
     
       19. An apparatus, comprising:
 a first hinge part; 
 a second hinge part; 
 a hinge pin that connects the first and second hinge parts for rotation, the hinge pin having a pin body, a first electrical connector that is connected to the pin body at a first end of the pin body, and an internal space that extends from the first end of the pin body to a second end of the pin body; 
 a second electrical connector that is spaced from the hinge pin; and 
 a wiring harness portion that is electrically connected to the first electrical connector, extends through the internal space of the pin body, extends out of the internal space of the pin body at the second end of the pin body, and is electrically connected to the second electrical connector. 
 
     
     
       20. The hinge pin of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the pin body extends along a longitudinal axis, and the internal space extends along the longitudinal axis from the first end of the pin body to the second end of the pin body, 
 the pin body includes a bearing surface that engages the first hinge part and the second hinge to allow relative rotation of the first and second hinge parts, 
 at least part of the bearing surface is cylindrical, 
 the pin body has a widened portion, 
 the first and second electrical connectors each have electrical contacts, 
 the electrical contacts of the first electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts, and 
 electrical contacts of the second electrical connector include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/296,820, filed on Feb. 18, 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The application relates generally to wiring connections. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hinges are generally defined as movable joints or mechanisms that connect two structures in a manner that allows relative motion. Hinges are commonly used in architectural applications to mount a door for movement with respect to a door opening. Hinges are commonly used in automotive applications to connect movable components to structures such as a vehicle body or a vehicle frame of a vehicle. As one example, a hinge can be used to connect a side door of the vehicle to the vehicle body. As another example, hinges can be used to connect a rear hatch of the vehicle to the vehicle body. 
     In some applications, electrical connections are made between components on either side of a hinge. As one example, electrical connections can be made by a wire harness that extends from a door to a door frame separate from the hinge. To protect the wire harness, it may pass through a flexible tube that extends from the door to the door frame. As another example, electrical connections can be made by passing one or more electrical conductors through part of a hinge. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure is a hinge pin that includes a pin body, a first electrical connector located at a first end of the pin body, a second electrical connector located at a second end of the pin body, and electrical conductors that electrically connect the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is an apparatus that includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part, and a hinge pin. The hinge pin that connects the first hinge part to the second hinge part. The hinge pin has a pin body that defines a bearing surface that engages the first hinge part and the second hinge to allow relative rotation of the first and second hinge parts. The hinge pin also has a first electrical connector located at a first end of the pin body, a second electrical connector located at a second end of the pin body, and electrical conductors that electrically connect the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is an apparatus that includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part, and a hinge pin that connects the first and second hinge parts for rotation. The hinge pin has a pin body, a first electrical connector that is connected to the pin body at a first end of the pin body, and an internal space that extends from the first end of the pin body to a second end of the pin body. The apparatus also includes a second electrical connector that is spaced from the hinge pin, and a wiring harness portion that is electrically connected to the first electrical connector, extends through the internal space of the pin body, extends out of the internal space of the pin body at the second end of the pin body, and is electrically connected to the second electrical connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description herein is made with reference to the drawings described below. 
         FIG. 1  is a side cross-section view that shows a hinge that has an integrated wiring connection. 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-section view that shows a hinge pin. 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-section view that shows a first harness connector. 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross-section view that shows a second harness connector. 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-section view that shows a first stage of assembly of the hinge. 
         FIG. 6  is a side cross-section view that shows a second stage of assembly of the hinge. 
         FIG. 7  is a side cross-section view that shows a third stage of assembly of the hinge. 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-section view that shows a fourth stage of assembly of the hinge and rotation of a second hinge part with respect to a first hinge part. 
         FIG. 9  is a side cross-section view that shows a hinge pin according to an alternative implementation. 
         FIG. 10  shows a structure that incorporates the hinge. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure relates to hinge that has an integrated wiring connection. Integrating wiring into a hinge may eliminate a separate wiring connection between structures such as a door and a door opening. Passing wires through a passage in a hinge requires either that the passage be large enough to allow wiring connectors to pass through the passage along with the wires, or that the wiring connectors be installed after the wires are passed through the hinge. The hinges described herein integrate conductors and wiring connectors into a portion of the hinge, such as a hinge pin. This allows other wires or wire harness connectors to be connected after assembly of the hinge. 
       FIG. 1  shows a hinge  100 . The hinge  100  includes a first hinge part  102 , a second hinge part  104 , and a hinge pin  106  having an integrated wiring connection. The hinge pin  106  connects the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104  for rotation on a hinge axis  101 . Although the hinge  100  in the illustrated example is a two-knuckle hinge having a specific structural configuration, it should be understood that the hinge pin  106  and integrated wiring connection may be applied to other types of hinge structures having configurations other than the configuration shown in the illustrated example. 
     The first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104  may be any structures that are to be connected for rotation with respect to one another. The first hinge part  102  has a first aperture  108  defined through it along the hinge axis  101  and the second hinge part  108  has a second aperture  110  defined through it along the hinge axis  101 . The first aperture  108  and the second aperture  110  may both be circular in shape, or one or the first aperture  108  and the second aperture  110  may include a non-circular feature to restrain rotation relative to the hinge pin  106 . For example one of the first aperture  108  or the second aperture  110  may incorporate a feature such as a spline or key that engages a corresponding feature of the hinge pin  106  to restrain relative rotation. 
     The hinge pin  106  extends through the first aperture  108  of the first hinge part  102  and through the second aperture  110  of the second hinge part  104  to connect the first hinge part  102  to the second hinge part  104 . The first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104  may be connected by the hinge pin such that the first hinge part  102  is held in a fixed position while the second hinge part  104  rotates with respect to the first hinge part  102  around the hinge axis  101  of the hinge  100 . Alternatively, the second hinge part  104  may be held in a fixed position while the first hinge part  102  rotates with respect to the second hinge part  104  around the hinge axis  101 , or both of the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104  may be non-fixed with the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104  rotating relative to each other around the hinge axis  101 . 
     As one example, the hinge  100  may be used in an architectural application in which the first hinge part  102  is connected to a door frame and the second hinge part  104  is connected to a door. As another example, the hinge  100  may be used in an automotive application in which the first hinge part  102  is connected to a vehicle body structure or vehicle frame portion and the second hinge part  104  is connected to door, rear hatch, tailgate, or other portion of the vehicle that is moveable relative to the vehicle body and/or frame of the vehicle. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the hinge pin  106  includes a pin body  212  that extends along a pin axis  215 . As incorporated in the hinge  100 , the pin axis  215  is aligned with the hinge axis  101 . 
     The pin body  212  may be a generally cylindrical structure that extends along the hinge axis  101 . The pin body  212  serves as a structural element for connecting the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104 . Thus, the pin body  212  may be a load bearing element that transfers forces between the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104 . The pin body  212  also includes the bearing surfaces that facilitate relative rotation of the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104 . The pin body  212  is formed from a material that is suitable for transferring forces between the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104 . As an example, the pin body  212  may be formed from metal such as steel. 
     The pin body  212  has an exterior surface  216 . At least part of the exterior surface  216  is generally cylindrical and has a diameter complementary to the first and second apertures  108 . The cylindrical part of the exterior surface  216  of the pin body  212  serves as a bearing surface that engages one of the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104  along the one of the first and second apertures  108 ,  110  to allow rotation of one of the first hinge part  102  or the second hinge part  104  with respect to the hinge pin  106 . 
     The pin body  212  may have a widened portion  218  at one end, with the width of the widened portion  218  being larger than the diameter of the first aperture  108  and the second aperture  110 . The widened portion  218  of the pin body  212  prevents the pin body  212  from passing completely through the first and second apertures  108 ,  110  while allowing the pin body  212  to extend through the first and second apertures  108 ,  110 . 
     The pin body  212  may have an internal passage  220  that extends from a first end  213  of the pin body  212  to a second end  214  of the pin body  212 . As an example, the pin body  212  may be a generally tubular structure. 
     The hinge pin  106  includes a first electrical connector  222 , a second electrical connector  224 , and conductors  226  that interconnect the first electrical connector  222  and the second electrical connector  224 . The first electrical connector  222 , the second electrical connector  224 , and the conductors  226  define the integrated wiring connection of the hinge pin  106 . 
     The first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  are structures that are able to connect to corresponding electrical connectors in order to transmit electrical power and/or electrical signals. For example, the first electrical connector  222  and the second electrical connector  224  may each include electrical contacts  228 ,  230  that are configured to engage electrical contacts of corresponding electrical connectors. In the illustrated implementation, the electrical contacts  228  of the first electrical connector  222  are plug contacts and the electrical contacts  228  of the second electrical connector  224  are pin contacts. More generally, the electrical contacts  228  of the first electrical connector  222  may include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts and the electrical contacts  230  of the second electrical connector  224  may include at least one of pin contacts or plug contacts. Pin contacts and plug contacts are described only as examples of electrical contacts, and other electrically conductive structures can be used as the electrical contacts  228  of the first electrical connector  222  and the electrical contacts  230  of the second electrical connector  224 . 
     The first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  are positioned at opposite ends of the hinge pin  106 . For example, the first electrical connector  222  may be positioned at the first end  213  of the pin body  212 , and the second electrical connector  224  may be positioned at the second end  214  of the pin body  212 . 
     In the illustrated implementation, the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  are positioned at least partially in the internal passage  220  of the pin body  212 . It should be understood that the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  could be located on any surface of the pin body  212 . 
     The first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  may be fixed to the pin body  212 . Fixing the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  to the pin body  212  may include preventing motion of the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  with respect to the pin body  212  in a single linear or rotational direction, in multiple linear and/or rotational directions, or in all linear and rotational directions. In the illustrated example, the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  are restrained from rotating and translating with respect to the pin body  212 . 
     Numerous structures and methods can be used to fix the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  with respect to the pin body  212 . As one example, the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  may be fixed to the pin body  212  by a friction fit. As another example, the first and second electrical connectors  222 , 224  may be fixed to the pin body  212  by an adhesive. As another example, the first and second electrical connectors may be fixed to the pin body  212  by a mechanical fastener or coupler. 
     In some implementations, the internal passage  220  of the pin body  212  is completely occupied by the integrated wiring connection components such as the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  and the conductors  226 . As one example, excess space adjacent to the conductors  226  could be occupied by a potting compound or similar material. As another example, the conductors  226  could be integrated into a modular component that is fabricated prior to placement in the internal passage  220  and is configured to occupy the internal passage  220  completely, such as a cylindrical module that is made of nonconductive material and has the conductors  226  embedded in it. Optionally, such as modular structure could have the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224  attached to it prior to placement in the internal passage  220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a first harness connector  140  is disposed adjacent to or within the first hinge part  102  and is connected to the hinge pin  106 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the first harness connector  140  includes a connector body  342 , a third electrical connector  344 , and a portion of a first wire harness  346  that is electrically connected to the third electrical connector  344 . The connector body  342  is formed from any suitable material such as plastic or metal. The first wire harness  346  includes one or more electrical conductors. 
     The connector body  342  serves as a housing for the third electrical connector  344  and for part of the first wire harness  346 . The third electrical connector  344  and part of the first wire harness  346  are disposed in an internal space  348  defined within the connector body  342 . The third electrical connector  344  may be disposed at one end of the internal space  348  of the connector body  342 , and the first wire harness  346  may extend out of an opposite end of the internal space  348  of the connector body  342 . 
     In the illustrated example the connector body  342  has an elbow-shaped configuration with the ends of the internal space  348  and thus the third electrical connector  344  and the exit of the first wire harness  346  being disposed at a 90 degree angle with respect to one another. It should be understood that any geometry could be adopted for the connector body  342 . 
     The connector body  342  may have a structural configuration for mechanically connecting the first harness connector  140  to the hinge pin  106 . In the illustrated example, the connector body has a tubular end portion  350  with an internal annular protrusion  352  that extends radially inward from an internal surface of the tubular end portion  350 . The first end  213  of the pin body  212  is receivable in the tubular end portion  350  such that the internal annular protrusion  352  engages a complementary structure formed on the pin body  212  such as an annular groove  217  to define a push on snap-fit type connection. Other structures can be used to mechanically connect the first harness connector  140  to the hinge pin  106 . 
     The third electrical connector is configured to electrically connect to the first electrical connector  222  for transmission of electrical power and/or electrical signals. The third electrical connector  344  may be similar to the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224 . The third electrical connector  344  may include electrical contacts  354  such as pin contacts, as shown in the illustrated example, or plug contacts. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a second harness connector  160  is disposed adjacent to or within the second hinge part  104  and is connected to the hinge pin  106 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the second harness connector  160  includes a connector body  462 , a fourth electrical connector  464 , and a portion of a second wire harness  466  that is electrically connected to the fourth electrical connector  464 . The connector body  462  is formed from any suitable material such as plastic or metal. The second wire harness  466  includes one or more electrical conductors. 
     The connector body  462  serves as a housing for the fourth electrical connector  464  and for part of the second wire harness  466 . The fourth electrical connector  464  and part of the second wire harness  466  are disposed in an internal space  468  defined within the connector body  462 . The fourth electrical connector  464  may be disposed at one end of the internal space  468  of the connector body  462 , and the second wire harness  466  may extend out of an opposite end of the internal space  468  of the connector body  462 . 
     In the illustrated example the connector body  462  has a linear configuration and extends along the hinge axis  101 . It should be understood that any geometry could be adopted for the connector body  462 . 
     The connector body  462  may have a structural configuration for mechanically connecting the second harness connector  160  to the hinge pin  106 . In the illustrated example, the connector body has a reduced-diameter end portion that is configured to extend into the second end  214  of the pin body  212  and engage an internal surface  219  of the widened portion  218  of the pin body  212  to define a friction fit that resists mechanical disconnection of the second harness connector  160  from the hinge pin  106 . Other structures can be used to mechanically connect the second harness connector  160  to the hinge pin  106 . 
     The fourth electrical connector  464  is configured to electrically connect to the second electrical connector  224  for transmission of electrical power and/or electrical signals. The fourth electrical connector  464  may be similar to the first and second electrical connectors  222 ,  224 . The fourth electrical connector  464  may include electrical contacts  474  such as plug contacts, as shown in the illustrated example, or pin contacts. 
     A method of assembling the hinge  100  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 5-8 . 
     Initially, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first hinge part  102  is connected to the second hinge part  104 , such that the first and second hinge parts  102 ,  104  are relatively rotatable and the first aperture  108  is aligned with the second aperture  110 . The hinge pin  106  is positioned outside of the second aperture  110 , in alignment with the hinge axis  101 . The hinge pin  106  is then moved along the hinge axis  101  into the second aperture  110  and then into the first aperture  108 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The hinge pin  106  is fully inserted into the first and second apertures  108 ,  110  when the hinge pin  106  extends into the first hinge part  102  and the widened portion  218  of the hinge pin  106  engages the second hinge part  104  to restrain further axial motion of the hinge pin  106  along the pin axis  215 . The first harness connector  140  is then moved into the first hinge part  102  at a location adjacent to and aligned with the hinge pin  106 . The first harness connector  140  is then moved into engagement with the hinge pin  106  to mechanically and electrically connect the first harness connector  140  with respect to the hinge pin  106 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The second harness connector  160  is then moved within the second hinge part  104  to a location adjacent to and aligned with the hinge pin  106 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the second harness connector  160  is then moved into engagement with the hinge pin  106  to mechanically and electrically connect the second harness connector  160  with respect to the hinge pin  106 . In the illustrated example, the hinge pin  106  is restrained from rotating with respect to the first hinge part  102  such as by interaction of complementary mechanical features, and the second hinge part  104  rotates on the hinge axis  101  with respect to the first hinge part  102  and the hinge pin  106  while the position of the hinge pin  106  with respect to the first hinge part  102  remains fixed. 
       FIG. 9  shows a hinge pin  906  according to an alternative implementation. The hinge pin  906  is similar to the hinge pin  106  except as noted and can be incorporated in the hinge  100  in place of the hinge pin  906 . 
     The hinge pin  906  includes a wiring connector  922  that is located at an end of a pin body  912  and is fixed to the pin body  912 . The wiring connector  922  is similar to the first wiring connector  122  of the hinge pin  106 . The hinge pin  906  does not include a wiring connector at an opposite and a wire harness portion  966  is connected directly to the wiring connector  922  and extends through an internal passage  920 , exits the opposite end of the hinge pin  906 , and is connected to an external wiring connector  990  that is not fixed to the pin body  912 . Thus, the hinge pin  906  includes a wiring connector  922  and a wire harness portion  966 , and the hinge pin may be fabricated and used with the hinge  100  with the wiring connector  922  located at either end of the pin body  912 , and one of the first harness connector  140  or the second harness connector  160  omitted as appropriate. In a further alternative implementation, a hinge pin lacks wiring connectors and a wire harness portion extends through an internal passage of the hinge pin between two non-fixed external wiring connectors. 
       FIG. 10  shows an assembly  1080  in which a first structure  1081  is connected to a second structure  1082  by the hinge  100  to allow the second structure  1082  to rotate between open and closed positions relative to the first structure  1081 . As an example, the second structure  1082  may be a door and the first structure  1081  may include a door opening  1083  that is obstructed when the second structure  1082  is in the closed position and unobstructed when the second structure  1082  is in the open position. 
     A first electrical component  1084  is connected to and/or located in the first structure  1081 . A first wire harness  1086  connects the first electrical component  1084  to the hinge  100 . A second electrical component  1088  is connected to and/or located in the second structure  1082 . A second wire harness  1090  connects the second electrical component  1088  to the hinge  100 . As one example the first electrical component  1084  may be an electrical power source and the second electrical component  1088  may be a device that uses electrical power. As another example the first electrical component  1084  may be a computer or controller and the second electrical component  1088  may be a sensor that transmits signals and/or data to the first electrical component  1084 . As another example the first electrical component  1084  may be a computer or controller and the second electrical component  1088  may be a component that operates in response to signals and/or data received from the first electrical component  1084 . As another example the first electrical component  1084  may be a computer or controller and the second electrical component  1088  may be a computer or controller, wherein the first and second electrical components  1084 ,  1088  send and receive signals and/or data to each other. 
     The first and second structures  1081 ,  1082  may be any structures that are to be mounted for relative rotation around an axis. As one example, the first structure  1081  may be a vehicle body and the second structure  1082  may be a side door of a vehicle. As one example, the first structure  1081  may be a vehicle body and the second structure  1082  may be a rear hatch of a vehicle. The hinge  100  is well-suited to such applications because wiring is protected within the hinge  100 , which shields the wiring from damage and dirt. Placing wiring in the hinge  100  also reduces motion of the wiring during movement of hinge-connected parts between open and closed positions. Placing wiring in the hinge  100  may also enhance aesthetics.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170210
Publication Date: 20180403
Grant Date: 20180403
Priority Date: 20160218
Inventors: Fowle Samuel G.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "E05D5/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05D11/0081", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05D2005/102", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R35/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05Y2900/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05D11/0081", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05D11/0081", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R35/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R35/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05Y2900/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05D2005/102", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05Y2900/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05D2005/102", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 61711665