Preferential deflection hinge mechanism with an idler for foldable portable electronic devices

• Main Authors: Doraiswamy, Sundarraj, Santos, Theodore R, Larson, David
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.07.2004

1. Field of the Invention A space efficient and cost effective hinge clutch mechanism for facilitating the rotational positioning of a lid member of a portable electronic device relative to the housing the device. The clutch mechanism includes an elongated cam-shaft extending through a plurality of aligned components including a face cam member, a cam follower, and a compression spring and partially through a hollow retaining member. Rotation of the retaining member prevents the cam-shaft from being inadvertently with drawn. The clutch mechanism may be manually or automatically pre-assembled before insertion into the housing. An idler positioned adjacent to the retaining member serves as conduit for wires extending from the rotating lid member and the housing of the portable electronic device. The interaction of the cam and cam follower retains the lid in its fully open or fully closed positions until sufficient rotational force is exerted on the lid to overcome the tangential force of the spring.