Handheld device hinge with elastomer urging element

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a portable device hinge having an elastomer urging element that is used to supply the necessary force for controlled rotation of a main part and a flip part. Embodiments of the invention include low part count hinges. Embodiments of the invention also include hinges that permit pass-through of wiring between a flip part and a main part. A handset of the invention includes a flip part and a main part with one or more hinges of the invention controlling rotation between the flip part and the main part. Preferred embodiment handsets have wiring that passes though the can and the elastomer urging element of a hinge of the invention.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

A field of the invention is handheld devices, e.g., personal digital assistants and handsets. The invention particularly concerns handheld devices including a hinged connection, e.g., flip style devices.

BACKGROUND

Hinged connected handheld devices provide many advantages and are popular. Taking the example of flip style devices, the flip style is a very popular form for handsets and personal digital assistants. Generally, in flip style devices, one part may be considered a main part and the other part a flip part. A hinged connection provides controlled relative movement between the flip part and the main part.

Flip style devices are very popular because they form a convenient shape, and the flip style devices have proven to be aesthetically pleasing to a large segment of the consumer market. When closed, the flip style devices provide a small device footprint, making the storage of the device in a pocket, on a clip, in a holder, in a briefcase, in a purse, or a drawer, etc., very convenient.

A hinge used to form a hinged connection in a handheld device, such as a flip-style device, is in a very demanding environment. Operational cycles are high frequency, meaning that users of flip-style and other hinged handheld devices open and close the device frequently. In the example of a flip phone, a user commonly opens and closes the device with each use of the device. The hinge in a flip-style device must also provide a smooth and controlled operation, and should be biased to remain in respective open and closed positions. There is considerable interest, however, in keeping the hinge simple and as inexpensive as possible. The handheld device market is extremely competitive, and component expenses must be kept as low as possible.

From a manufacturer's perspective, the opportunity provided by one of the parts of a flip style handheld device is often inefficiently used. The size of the devices makes the real estate available for electronics precious, and yet one or the other of the flip part and the main part is often kept simple. An example is a flip part that is only a keyboard. Another example is a flip part that only includes a display. One of the reasons for the simplicity of a typical flip part compared to a main part of a handheld device is the barrier presented by the hinged connection. The springs, cams, follower, can, device interface, locking clips, and other components of a typical hinge present a physical barrier to wiring. Wiring must be routed around the hinge and placed in a manner such that the open and close operation does not pull on the wiring. The limited number of connections available has often limited the electronic communication channels between the system electronics, e.g., processor and memories, of a main part (where they are typically housed) and the electronics in the flip part, e.g., displays, keyboards. An unattractive alternative is including another system, e.g., a processor and memory, in the flip part. The increased cost and inefficiency of that alternative is clear, and yet there is pressure to do so as the functionality of the flip style devices continues to drive the creation of increasingly complex handheld devices, which now perform functions such as capturing images and videos.

Efforts have therefore been made to route both discrete wires and flex connections circuitously around hinge components. However, the hinge is relatively small and only a limited number of cables or wires can be accommodated. A further problem is the difficulty of predicting and testing the life of a highly flexed cable assembly which is repeatedly twisted in this manner. These approaches limit the number and type of electronics that can be placed in the flip part. Another approach is to use contact sets instead of wires. Contacts still are limited in area by the hinge assembly, though. In addition, contacts may suffer performance problems because alignment becomes an issue. If contacts on a main part become misaligned with a flip part, for example, an adequate electric connection may not be obtained.

Other issues related to hinged connections and portable devices include part count and assembly issues. Low part currents are desirable for manufacturing efficiencies and to reduce costs. It is also desirable that a hinge for a hinged portable device such as a flip-style handset be self-contained and pre-assembled. This aids in the manufacturing of the handset, and also permits manufacture and assembly of components of the handset and the hinge to be conducted at separate locations and, for example, by separate vendors.

Yet another issue of concern in hinge connections of portable devices is the electrical interference that can be presented by a hinge. Flip-style devices and other portable devices with hinge connections often make use of wireless communications. The springs used in hinges of portable devices present electrical interference issues. This is especially true in the case where an antenna is included in or near the hinge assembly. In addition to springs used to generate spring force for a cam and follower arrangement, many conventional hinges also include a number of other metal parts.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include a portable device hinge having an elastomer urging element that is used to supply the necessary force for controlled rotation of a main part and a flip part. Embodiments of the invention include low part count hinges. Embodiments of the invention also include hinges that permit pass-through of wiring between a flip part and a main part. A handset of the invention includes a flip part and a main part with one or more hinges of the invention controlling rotation between the flip part and the main part. Preferred embodiment handsets have wiring that passes though the can and the elastomer urging element of a hinge of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the FIG. 1 hinge;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an assembled schematic and partially transparent view of the FIG. 3 hinge;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show are perspective views of a handset handheld device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment shaped urging element;

FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of a hinge in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8B is an assembled view of a hinge in accordance with FIG. 8A, and modified to include an antenna in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns portable devices including a hinged connection. The invention includes hinges and devices including hinges, for example, flip-style handsets and personal digital assistants. Embodiments of the invention include a hinge having an elastomer element to urge a cam surface and follower together. Related embodiments include a handset having a hinged connection including a hinge with an elastomer element urging together a cam surface and follower. Another embodiment of the invention includes a hinge for a portable device that includes a circuit pass through. In the circuit pass through, for example, flex wire connections may be passed through the active elements of the hinge without interfering with hinge operation and allowing the flex circuit element to remain intact during operation of the hinge.

Other embodiments of the invention include a hinge lacking any metal parts. In a preferred embodiment hinge of the invention for a portable device, all of the hinge elements are formed from non-conductive plastics and polymer materials. Other embodiments of the invention include a hinge for a portable device that includes only four or five parts. In a preferred embodiment, four parts are a cam including a cam surface, a combined handheld device interface and cam follower, an urging element, and a cap.

The invention also concerns portable devices, such as handsets and personal digital assistants, including a hinged connection and having wiring that passes directly through a hinge in the hinged connection. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a flex circuit connection provides a large number of data channels to connect electronics in a flip part and a main part. The number of communication channels provides the ability to conduct complex communications and move additional electronics into the flip part of the portable device.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the figures. Artisans will appreciate that the figures are presented schematically and are not necessarily to scale. The features may be exaggerated for the purposes of illustration. The invention includes flip-style devices and other handsets including a hinged connection. A hinge in an exemplary embodiment handheld device is accommodated at a hinge location between a flip part and a main part of the handheld device. The handheld device includes an interface to the hinge. In some embodiments, the handheld devices include a flex circuit connector that passes through a hinge in accordance with principles of the invention. An example flip-style device includes a main part having a processor, memory, and/or RF circuitry. This connects to electronics in the flip part. In the example embodiment, the flip part may alternatively or additionally include RF circuitry, may include a display, may include a camera, may include memory, and may include logic units and co-processing, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example embodiment hinge 10 is shown in an exploded perspective view. The hinge 10 includes four components. The four components are a can 12, a combined cam follower and handheld device interface 14, an urging element 16, and a cap 18. The urging element 16 is substantially solid and made of an elastomer material that will compress to urge the cam follower/device interface 14 against a cam surface 20 that is part of the internal structure of the can 12. The urging element 16 compresses to permit normal cam follower/device interface 14 axial movement during normal hinge operation, and also permits sufficient compression to facility the assembly of the hinge into a phone body. The combined cam follower and handheld device interface 14 includes a cam surface 22, and the profiles of the cam surface 20 and 22 along with any stops included therein define the angle of permissible rotation as well as the nature of the rotation provided by the hinge. Teeth 24 on the cap 18 lock into receptacles 26 defined in the can 12. The teeth 24 may be dimensioned to extend radially beyond the limit of the can 12 to fix the position of the can with one or the other of a main part and a flip part of a handheld device.

In the assembled position, an interlock structure 28 passes through an opening 30 in the can. (See also FIG. 2, which shows an assembled state for the hinge of FIG. 1.) The interlock 28 interfaces with a hinged portion of a handheld device. In some embodiments, the teeth 24 and the cap 18 may also extend further outward and form a second interface with a different part of the hinged connection of a handheld device. The top surface of the cap 18 will also positively engage a portion of the hinge interface of a handheld device such that opposing force is provided to urge the follower 14 and cam surface 20 together. The urging element 16 also is shaped to include engagement slots 32 that also accept the teeth 24. In this manner, a circuit pass-through that comprises slots 34 and 36 in the urging element 16 and the can 12 align when the hinge 10 is fully assembled and remain in alignment during operation. In the preferred embodiment hinge 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the follower 14 and combined handheld device interface is the only moveable part in the hinge, as the cap 18, urging element 16, and can 12 are held in a common rotationally fixed position. In such embodiments, a flex circuit connection 38, for example, remains completely stationary during operation of the hinge between open, closed, and partially opened and closed positions. In other embodiments of the invention, movement of the urging element and/or can are permitted, while the relative rotational position of the urging element 16 in the can 12 are held constant to keep the slots 34 and 36 aligned.

In another embodiment of the invention, the slots 34 and 36 are omitted. Artisans will appreciate that the very low part count provided by the exemplary embodiment hinge in FIG. 1 provides many advantages. The total of four parts is extremely low. In other embodiments some additional parts may be used, for example if a cam surface was provided in an element that was separate from the internal structure of the can 12.

Additional embodiments of the invention include embodiments such as the hinge 10 and variations thereof, wherein all of the components of the hinge are formed from non-conductive materials. In embodiments of the invention, the can 12, follower 14 and cap 18 are all formed from high strength and rigid plastics, for example. The urging element is formed from an elastomer material, for example cast urethane elastomer. Other components may be made, for example, from Delrin (Acetal), which has an inherent lubrication factor. Lubrication, such as might be used with other materials, may be a silicone based compound.

The example hinge 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 provides a two position open and closed position hinge. The cam surface 22 and the follower 14 includes distinct valleys 40 that define open and closed positions with a complementary ridge on the cam surface 20 of the can 12. The profiles of the surfaces and the dimensions of the urging element relative to the other components provide the ability to engineer a particular feel and operation into hinges of the invention. As the deformation of a compressable material such as an elastomer used for the urging elements 16 is typically non-linear, finite element analysis and/or experimental variation and testing of the length and diameter of the urging element 16 will aid implementation of particular open, close and feel characteristics.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view and FIG. 4 is an assembled schematic and partially transparent view. The FIGS. 3 and 4 embodiment are a five part hinge. The five parts are a can 42, a combined follower and device interface 44, a cam 46, an urging element 48 and a cap 50. Interlock features including a ridge 52 on the outer surface of the can 42, which defines on an opposite side a valley 53 that accepts and holds ridges 54 and 56 on the cam 46 and urging element 48 to fix the relative positions of the can 42, the cam 46, and the urging element 48. The ridge 52 also serves to hold the position of the can relative to one or another of a main part and a flip part of a handheld device (the other part being rotationally fixed to the device interface 44). This serves to align slots 58 and 60 in the can and urging element 48 in the fully assembled position so that flex circuit 62 may pass through the hinge. The snap fit teeth 64 on the cap 50 lock into a cross slot 66 co-formed with the slot 58 of the can 42. The operations and materials chosen for the hinge of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be the same as for the FIGS. 1 and 2 hinge. In addition, the variations to include no metal parts or simply a low part count by omission of the slots 58 and 48 define another embodiment of the invention. With the separate cam 46, the combined follower and device interface 44 does not need to move axially because its rotation causes the axial movement of the cam 46. An axially stationary device interface is advantageous. In addition, through holes 70 provide a route for routing additional wires, for example.

FIG. 5 shows a handheld device, namely a wireless network flip-style handset 72, that incorporates the present hinge such as the hinge of FIGS. 1 and 2 or the hinge of FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, a hinge is held at one of opposite ends of a hinge enclosure portion 74 of a flip part 76 along an axis 77. It may also be desirable to have a hinge 10 at both ends of the enclosure portion 74, with two hinges acting cooperatively to control opening and closing of the flip part 76. The device interfaces of the hinges, e.g., the interlock structure 28 or the device interface 44 lock into a pair of hinge holding knuckles 78, 80 on a main part 82. The elastomer urging elements used in the present hinge permit enough compression to allow assembly, namely that the interlock structure 28 or the device interface 44 may be pressed in toward the can to allow clearance of the knuckles. Once released, the interlock structure 28 or the device interface extends into the knuckles 78, 80, which have an internal formation to hold the interlock structure or the device interface 44 from relative rotational movement with respect to the knuckle or the main part 82. The can is similarly rotationally fixed with respect to the enclosure portion 74 and its associated flip part. The amount of torsional force applied by the internal components of the hinge 10 may be designed according to the dimensions and weight of the flip part 76. FIG. 6 shows the handset 72 in a fully open position. The hinge 10 is at the open angle limit and maintains the flip part 76 in the fully open position. As has been mentioned, the cam and follower interface and the urging element may be designed to provide various open and close stops, feel and operation.

In addition, the flip part 76 and main part 82 may be connected, for example, by flex circuit, such as the flex circuit 62 that passes through a hinge of the invention, permitting, for example, the inclusion of sophisticated electronics and devices on both of the main part 82 and the flip part 76 with a wide band communication interface between the two. While there will be many possible methods of assembly of a hinge or hinges of the invention with a wiring or flex circuit or other type of wiring pass through, one method of assembly is to provide a slot in the flip part 76 to feed the wiring, e.g., flex circuit, could be fed through once the hinge(s) is installed in the flip part 76. Then, the wiring would be terminated and attached within the flip part 76. Next, the flip part 76 and hinge assembly would be attached to the main part 82 by compressing the follower sufficiently to permit the device interface 44 to clear one of the knuckles 78, 80 (depending upon which side the hinge was being inserted). Finally, the flex would be connected within the main part 82, which could then be closed up in conventional fashion by connecting a cover.

In the above embodiments, the nature of the urging element 16 permits particular designs to provide a feel that alters the nature of the operation of the hinge. In an example embodiment, the urging element 16 is shaped similarly to a bellow to provide an additional measure of compressibility and, in some fashion, simulate the nature of a spring. As another example, an hourglass shape will provide a different feel as well. The shape and dimensions may be optimized to meet particular requirements for opening force and closing force, as well as for the smoothness of operation and the assistance provided by the urging element to complete an opening or closing operation commenced by a user of a portable device.

One example embodiment shaped urging element is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, an urging element 90 has a general accordion shape. The urging element will compress in defined fashion, with cut-outs 92, 94 controlling the axial compression of the urging element, permitting bellow portions 98 of the urging element 90 to move closer together in response to axial force presented by a cam surface/follower arrangement as in any of the FIGS. 1-4 embodiments.

Another example embodiment hinge is shown in FIG. 8A. The hinge of FIG. 8A is a variation of the FIG. 3 and 4 embodiment. The hinge in FIG. 8A includes a can 100, a combined follower and device interface 102, a cam 104, an urging element 108, a cap 110, and a collar 112. The collar 112 serves to inhibit buckling of the urging element 108. The collar 112 will have a small range of axial movement in response to compression of the urging element caused by axial movement of the cam 104 in response to follower rotation. An enlarged diameter portion 113 of the urging element creates a snug fit inside the cap 110 and also serves to inhibit buckling. Interlock features including ridges 114 on the outer surface of the can 100, which defines on an opposite (internal) side a valley that accepts and holds ridges 116 on the cam 104. The urging element 108 may also have a ridge, though one is not shown in FIG. 8A, to fix the relative rotational position of the urging element 108 with respect to the can 100, and such a ridge or other positioning feature should be used if the urging element 108 is modified to include a slot for a wiring pass through as in FIGS. 3 and 4. Slots 118 are available on the can 100, and may be sized and positioned outside the range of axial movement of the collar 112 to avoid physical interference with wiring that may optionally be used with slots in the urging element 108, as in FIGS. 3 and 4. The ridges 114 also serve to hold the position of the can 100 relative to one or another of a main part and a flip part of a handheld device (the other part being rotationally fixed to a device interface 120 that extends through a hole 122 in the can when the hinge is assembled (see FIG. 8B)). Snap fit teeth 124 on the cap 110 lock into a cross slot 126 co-formed with one of the slots 118 of the can 100. The snap fit teeth will fit snugly around the increased diameter portion 113 when assembled, which inhibits buckling as discussed above. The operations and materials chosen for the hinge of FIG. 8A may be the same as for the FIGS. 1-4 hinges.

FIG. 8B shows a modified embodiment antenna based upon the FIG. 8A embodiment, and including an integrated antenna 130. The antenna 130 is mounted on an outer surface of the can 100. The antenna 130 is a patch style antenna consisting of a patch radiator of conductive material, but other types of antennas may also be used. The antenna 130 is fed through spring contact fingers 132 when assembled into a handset, for example, including appropriately located antenna feed points. Advantageously, as the hinge of FIG. 8B may be formed completely from non-conductive materials, an antenna may be co-located with the hinge in a handset body as the hinge components do not provide interference with the radiation pattern of an antenna.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that other modifications, substitutions and alternatives are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hinge for a handheld device, the hinge comprising:

a can;

a handheld device interface extending out through a hole in said can; and

a cam surface;

a follower that cooperates with said cam surface to control rotation of the handheld device interface relative to the can;

an urging element that urges said follower against said cam surface; and

a cap to hold said urging element and said follower within said can; wherein

each of said can, said follower and said urging element are formed solely from one or more non-conductive materials.

2. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the one or more non-conductive materials comprise one or both of plastics and polymer materials.

3. The hinge of claim 1, wherein said urging element comprises a substantially solid elastomer material compressed in said can to urge said follower against said cam surface.

4. The hinge of claim 3, wherein said urging element and said can are in a substantially fixed relative rotational position.

5. The hinge of claim 4, further comprising aligned slots providing a passage through said can and said urging element, the slots being dimensioned to accommodate wiring.

6. The hinge of claim 4, comprising interlock shapes on said urging element to engage with another part of the hinge and hold said urging element in the substantially fixed relative rotational position to said can.

7. The hinge of claim 1, wherein said handheld device interface and said follower are formed as a single unitary combined follower and handheld device interface part, said cam surface comprises an inner surface of said can; and the hinge consists of four parts that are said single unitary combined follower and handheld device interface part, said can, said cap and said urging element.

8. The hinge of claim 7, further comprising:

a ridge on said urging element; and

a valley in said can for accepting said ridge to rotationally fix said can and said urging element relative to one another.

9. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising a cam that defines said cam surface, wherein said handheld device interface and said follower are formed as a single unitary combined follower and handheld device interface part, and the hinge consists of five parts that are said single unitary combined follower and handheld device interface part, said cam, said can, said cap and said urging element.

10. The hinge of claim 8, further comprising:

ridges on each of said urging element and said cam; and

a valley in said can for accepting said ridges to rotationally fix said cam, said urging element and said can relative to each of the others.

11. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising means for fixing the rotational position of said urging element relative to said can.

12. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising means for fixing the rotational position of said can relative to the handheld device.

13. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising a through hole passing axially through said can, said urging element, said cap, said follower and said handheld device interface.

14. A handset comprising:

a hinge according to claim 1;

a flip part rotationally fixed with respect to one of said can or said device interface; and

a main part rotationally fixed with respect to the other of said can or said device interface.

15. The handset of claim 14, further comprising:

a passage through said can and said urging element; and

wiring through said passage, said wiring connecting circuitry in said main part and said flip part.

16. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising a collar around a portion of said urging element.

17. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising an antenna mounted on the hinge.

18. The hinge of claim 17, wherein the antenna is mounted on an outer surface of said can, said antenna comprising contact means for contacting an antenna feed point.

19. A hinge for a handheld device, the hinge comprising:

a can;

a follower and cam surface axially aligned by said can;

a handheld device interface extending beyond said can and having its rotational position defined by the rotational position of said follower; and

an elastomer urging element held within said can in a compressed state to urge said follower and said cam surface against each other while permitting controlled relative rotational movement between said follower and said cam surface and axial displacement of one or both of said cam and said follower by additional compression of said elastomer urging element to accommodate the controlled relative rotational movement.

20. The hinge of claim 19, formed completely of non-conductive parts.

21. The hinge of claim 19, lacking any metal parts.

22. The hinge of claim 19, wherein said urging element and said can are in a substantially fixed relative rotational position.

23. The hinge of claim 22, further comprising aligned slots providing a passage through said can and said urging element, the slots being dimensioned to accommodate wiring.

24. The hinge of claim 19, comprising interlock shapes on said urging element to engage with another part of the hinge and hold said urging element in the substantially fixed relative rotational position to said can.

25. The hinge of claim 19, wherein said handheld device interface and said follower are formed as a single unitary combined follower and handheld device interface part, said cam surface comprises an inner surface of said can; and the hinge consists of four parts that are said single unitary combined follower and handheld device interface part, said can, said urging element, and a cap that closes said can.

26. The hinge of claim 19, further comprising a cam that defines said cam surface, wherein said handheld device interface and said follower are formed as a single unitary combined follower and handheld device interface part, and the hinge consists of five parts that are said single unitary combined follower and handheld device interface part, said cam, said can, said urging element, and a cap that closes said can.

27. A handset comprising:

a hinge according to claim 19;

a flip part rotationally fixed with respect to one of said can or said device interface; and

a main part rotationally fixed with respect to the other of said can or said device interface.

28. The handset of claim 19, further comprising:

a passage through said can and said urging element; and

wiring through said passage, said wiring connecting circuitry in said main part and said flip part.

29. The hinge of claim 19, further comprising a collar around a portion of said urging element.

30. The hinge of claim 19, further comprising an antenna mounted on the hinge.

31. The hinge of claim 30, wherein the antenna is mounted on an outer surface of said can, said antenna comprising contact means for contacting an antenna feed point.