Connector and apparatus including the same

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/282,359, filed Oct. 28, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,456, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] There are many instances where two or more devices are electrically connected to one another and, in addition, are mechanically connected such that the devices are movable relative to one another. Notebook computers, for example, include a display housing which supports the display and a main housing which supports the keyboard and houses various operating components. Typically, the display housing is pivotally connected to the main housing with a hinge, and is electrically connected to the main housing with a cable. The cable runs from the main housing to the display housing and is mechanically connected to the appropriate devices within the main housing and the display housing. More recently, notebook computers with display housings that are electrically, pivotally and rotatively connected to the main housing have also been proposed.

[0003] The inventor herein has determined that conventional arrangements for electrically, pivotally and rotatively connecting two or more devices (such as the display housing and main housing in a notebook computer) are susceptible to improvement. For example, the inventor named in the present application has determined that the use of a single cable that runs from the main housing to the display housing limits the rotational movement of the connected devices.

[0023] The following is a detailed description of the best presently known modes of carrying out the inventions. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the inventions. Additionally, although the present inventions are applicable to, and even include, portable computers and stand alone monitors, the present inventions are not limited to portable computers and stand alone monitors or use therewith. Rather, the present inventions are applicable to any apparatus in which two or more devices are electrically and mechanically connected to one another.

[0024] As illustrated for example in FIGS. 1 and 2, a hinged connector 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention includes a first hinge member 102, which is pivotally carried by a pair of pivot pins 104a and 104b, and a second hinge member 106, which is pivotally carried by the first hinge member. The second hinge member 106 is preferably carried such that it is free to pivot 360° and beyond, which is referred to herein being “rotatable.” The exemplary hinged connector 100 also includes a first set of electrical contacts 108a–c that are electrically connected to a second set of contacts 110a–c. The first and second sets of electrical contacts 108a–c and 110a–c are respectively carried by the first and second hinge members 102 and 106 such that the electrical connection is maintained as the first hinge member pivots and/or the second hinge member pivots and/or rotates. Additionally, although three contacts are carried by each of the hinge members in the exemplary embodiment, the number of contacts may be varied based on the intended application. Typical arrangements range from three to twelve contacts or more depending on the intended application.

[0025] The first hinge member 102 in the exemplary implementation includes a base 112 and a connector portion 114 that is carried by the base. Although not limited to any particular configuration, the exemplary base 112 is a cylindrical structure that is configured to receive the pins 104a and 104b at its longitudinal ends. So arranged, the base member 112 will pivot about the X-axis and the connector portion 114 (and second hinge member 106) will pivot with the base member. An opening 116 for an electrical cable 118 is also provided. The exemplary connector portion 114, which carries the electrical contacts 108a–c, is also in the form of a hollow, cylindrical structure. The hollow aspect of the connector portion 114 allows individual wires from the cable 118 to be connected to the electrical contacts 108a–c in the manner described below with reference to FIG. 4. The pins 104a and 104b are respectively carried by mounting members 120a and 120b.

[0026] The second hinge member 106 in the exemplary implementation includes a connector portion 122 and mounting member 124. The exemplary connector portion 122, which carries the electrical contacts 110a–c, is a hollow, cylindrical structure that is configured to fit over the first hinge member connector portion 114 such that it is free to rotate about the Y-axis. Additionally, the outer diameter of the connector portion 114 corresponds to the inner diameter of the connector portion 122 in order to facilitate electrical transmission (by way of direct contact or capacitive coupling across a relatively small gap) between the contacts 108a–c and 110a–c, as described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 4A. The tight fit between the connector portions 114 and 122 also creates enough friction force to keep the second hinge member 106 from pivoting or rotating about the Y-axis until the user desires to cause such pivoting or rotating. The individual wires from a cable 126 are connected to the contacts 110a–c in the manner described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0027] The X-axis and Y-axis, about which the first and second hinge members 102 and 106 pivot in the exemplary hinged connector 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, are perpendicular to and intersect one another. It should be noted, however, that the present inventions are not limited to such an arrangement. The connector portion 114 could, for example, be L-shaped so that the X-axis and Y-axis do not intersect. The connector portion 114 could also be arranged at any angle other than perpendicular to the base member 112. Another alternative would be to vary the manner in which the first hinge member pivots. More specifically, instead of pivoting about the X-axis, which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the base member 112, the first hinge member could pivot about an axis that is perpendicular to both the X-axis and Y-axis, and passes though the base member near one of its longitudinal ends. Broadly speaking, other than being non-coaxial, the arrangement of the X-axis and the Y-axis may be perpendicular/intersecting (as shown) or may be any other arrangement dictated by the intended application.

[0028] The hinge members 102 and 106 in the exemplary hinged connector 100 may be secured to one another with any locking apparatus that fixes the relative positions of the connector portions 114 and 122 on the Y-axis, while still allowing the connector portion 122 to rotate about the connector portion 114. One example of such a locking apparatus is the locking apparatus 128 in the illustrated embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 2–3C, the exemplary locking apparatus 128 includes a post 130 and disk 132, which are carried by the connector portion 114 such that a space 134 is defined between the connector portion and the disk, and a snap ring 136. The snap ring 136 includes a central opening 138 that is configured to receive the post 130 and a slot 140 though which the post passes. The thickness of the snap ring 136 is approximately equal to the distance between the connector portion 114 and the disk 132 and the outer diameter of the snap ring is at least as large as the outer diameter of the connector portion 122.

[0029] Referring more specifically to FIGS. 3A–3C, once the hinge member 106 has been placed over the hinge member 102 and the top surfaces of the connector portions 114 and 122 are aligned, the snap ring 136 may be moved in the direction of arrow A from the position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B to the position shown in FIG. 3C. The snap ring 136 will deflect outwardly as it moves into the space 134 and the post 130 passes through the slot 140 into the central opening 138. Once the post 130 is entirely within the central opening 138 (FIG. 3C), the snap ring 136 will deflect back to its original state, thereby locking itself around the post. The snap ring 136 will also be located between (and preferably engage) the top surface of the connector portion 114 and the bottom surface of the disk 132, thereby preventing the hinge member 106 from moving away from the hinge member 102 along the Y-axis.

[0030] The connector portions 114 and 122 in the exemplary implementation are substantially similar in structure. More specifically, and as illustrated for example in FIG. 4, the connector portions 114 and 122 consist essentially of respective cylindrically-shaped insulator portions 142 and 144 that are interspersed above, below and between the electrical contacts 108a–c and 110a–c. The insulator portions 142 and 144 may be formed from suitable dielectric materials such as, for example, polyimide material and other plastics. The contacts 108a–c and 110a–c are preferably formed from materials, such as conductive metals and metal impregnated plastics, which have good conductive properties. One set of contacts (i.e. either contacts 108a–c or contacts 110a–c) will also preferably be provided with brushes (not shown) that facilitate physical contact with the other set of contacts to form the electrical connection. Alternatively, in instances such as the transmission of high frequency signals where a capacitive coupling-type electrical connection is desired, there will be a relatively small gap 109 between the contacts 108a–c and 110a–c, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. The size of the gap 109 will depend on factors such as the size of the contacts 108a–c and 110a–c as well as the magnitude and frequency of the electrical signals.

[0031] As noted above, the individual wires from the cable 118 are connected to the electrical contacts 108a–c on the exemplary hinge member 102. More specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, individual wires 146a–c from the cable 118 may be respectively connected to the inner surfaces of the contacts 108a–c by, for example, removing a portion of the insulation from each wire and soldering the wires to the inner surfaces of the associated contacts. Other methods of connecting the wires to the contacts include press fitting and welding. Turning to the exemplary hinge member 106, individual wires 148a–148c from the cable 126 are preferably connected to the exterior of the contacts 110a–110c. This may be accomplished by, for example, removing a portion of the insulation from each wire 148a–c and soldering the wires to the outer surfaces of the associated contacts 110a–c. Alternatively, and as illustrated for example in FIG. 5, each of the contacts 110a–110c may be provided with an exterior wire slot (only slot 150a is shown in FIG. 5). The wires 148a–c may be press fit into the slots by aligning them with the slots and then urging them in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 6.

[0032] The present hinged connector may be used to secure a wide variety of devices to one another. The configuration of the mounting members that secure the hinged connector to the devices will, therefore, depend on the intended application. In the exemplary implementation illustrated in FIGS. 1–6, the mounting members 120a and 120b are generally L-shaped and the ends opposite the pins 104a and 104b include a plurality of holes for screws or other fasteners. The mounting member 124 includes a generally planar portion 152 (note FIG. 6) with a plurality of holes for screws or other fasteners and a portion 154 that extends from the planar portion to the hinge member connector portion 122. The connector portion 122 and mounting member 124 may be an integrally formed unit or separate structural elements that are secured to one another.

[0033] The exemplary hinged connector 100 is shown in FIGS. 7A–7F in combination with, and is electrically and mechanically connecting, a first device 156 and a second device 158. On the electrical side, the cable 118 in the first device 156 is electrically (but not mechanically) connected to one end of the cable 126 in the second device 158 by way of the hinged connector 100, and the other end of the cable 126 is connected to an internal apparatus 160 within the second device. With respect to the mechanical connection, the mounting members 120a and 120b connect the first hinge member 102 to the first device 156, the mounting member 124 connects the second hinge member 106 to the second device 158, and the first and second hinge members are connected to one another by the exemplary locking apparatus 128. [Note FIG. 7B.]

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the second device 158 is pivoted 180 degrees about the Y-axis relative to the first device 156, the second hinge member 106 and cable 126 will simply pivot along with the second device. The second hinge member 106 and cable 126 will continue to pivot with the second device 158 as the second device continues to pivot in the same direction until it reaches the orientation illustrated in FIG. 7A, thereby completing a full rotation, and beyond. Alternatively, the second device 158 may be pivoted in the opposite direction. In either case, the cables 118 and 126, which are not mechanically secured to one other, and are instead electrically connected by way of the contacts 108a–c and 110a–c, will not be pulled or twisted and the electrical connection therebetween will be maintained no matter now many times the second device 158 is rotated relative to the first device 156. Turning to FIGS. 7C–7E, the second device 158 may also be pivoted back and forth relative to the first device 156 about the X-axis without substantial pulling on the cable 118 and without any pulling on the cable 126. Here too, the electrical connection between the cables 118 and 126 will be maintained by the contacts 108a–c and 110a–c. The second device 158 may also be pivoted relative to the first device 156 about the X-axis in addition to being pivoted or rotated about the Y-axis in, for example, the manner illustrated in FIG. 7F without substantial pulling or twisting on the cables 118 and 126 or loss of the electrical connection provided by the contacts 108a–c and 110a–c.

[0035] With respect to manufacture, manufacture of the exemplary hinged connector 100 is not limited to any particular method. For example, the hinge members 102 and 106 may be respectively formed from a plurality of individual elements (i.e. the contacts 108a–c, base member 112 and connector insulator portions 142; and the contacts 110a–c, mounting member 124 and connector insulator portions 142) that are secured to one another with an adhesive during assembly. The hinge members 102 and 106 may also formed by a molding process wherein the contacts 108a–c and 110a–c are placed into the respective molds prior to injection of the material that forms the remainder of the hinge members. In either case, it is preferable (but not necessary) that the wires 146a–c from the cable 118 be secured to the contacts 108a–c prior to assembly or molding.

[0036] The present hinged connector has a wide variety of applications. Although the present inventions are not limited to any particular type of device, one embodiment of an invention that may include the present hinged connector is the exemplary notebook style portable computer 200 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. It should be noted that detailed discussions of various conventional internal operating components of computers which are not pertinent to the present inventions have been omitted for the sake of simplicity. Nevertheless, the exemplary portable computer 200 is, with respect to many of the structural and operating components, substantially similar to conventional portable computers such as the Hewlett-Packard Omnibook 6000 notebook PC. More specifically, the exemplary portable computer 200 includes structural components such as a two-part housing that consists of main housing 202, which supports a user interface 204 and houses various operating components, and a display housing 206, which supports a display 208. The user interface 204 allows the user to control the operations of the computer and, to that end, is provided with a keyboard 210, a touch pad 212, a first pair of right/left click buttons 214 and a second pair of right/left click buttons 216. The rear end of the main housing 202 is mechanically connected to the rear end of the display housing 206 by the exemplary hinged connector 100. The hinged connector 100, which also electrically connects elements within the main housing 202 to elements within the display housing 206, allows the main housing 202 and display housing 206 to pivot and rotate relative to one another in the manner described below with reference to FIGS. 10-13.

[0037] With respect to the operating components, and referring more specifically to FIG. 9, the main housing 202 houses a CPU (or “processor”) 218, cache and RAM memory 220, a power supply 222, a hard disk drive 224, and a battery 226. A module bay for optional modules such as a CD-ROM drive module 228, a 3.5 inch disk drive module, or a ZIP drive module is also provided within the main housing 202. The exemplary portable computer 200 may also include other conventional components such as, for example, a modem, an audio card, a video card 230, headphone and microphone ports, serial, parallel and USB ports, keyboard and mouse ports, a 240-pin PCI connector for docking, an operating system such as Microsoft® Windows, and various application programs such a word processing, spreadsheets, security programs and games. In addition to the display 208, the display housing 206 also includes a drive circuit 209 for the display.

[0038] The exemplary hinged connector 100 is used to electrically (signals and power) connect the video card 230 in the main housing 202 to the drive circuit 209 for the display 208. More specifically, the video card 230 may be operably connected to the cable 118 and the drive circuit may be operably connected to the cable 126. The exemplary hinged connector 100 also allows the display housing to be positioned in a variety of orientations relative to the main housing. As illustrated for example in FIG. 8, the display housing 206 may be pivoted about the X-axis in order to provide access to the user interface 204 and the display 208. The display housing 206 may also be pivoted to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 10 such that the display faces the user interface 204 and the rear side 232 of the display housing is exposed. The display housing 206 may also be rotated about the Y-axis in addition to the X-axis. For example, as compared to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 10, the display housing 206 illustrated in FIG. 11 has been pivoted 90 degrees about the X-axis and 90 degrees about the Y-axis. In FIG. 12, the display housing has been pivoted an additional 90 degrees about the Y-axis (i.e. 180 degrees from the orientation in FIG. 10). The display housing 206 may be pivoted an additional 180 degrees to complete a full rotation (and return the display housing 206 to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 8), and as far beyond as the user desires, due to the use of the exemplary hinged connector 100.

[0039] The exemplary portable computer 200 may also be used in a tablet computer mode in those instances where the display 208 is a touch screen display. The display housing 206 can be pivoted about the X-axis, from the orientation illustrated in FIG. 12 to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 13, so that the rear side 232 of the display housing faces the user interface 204 and the display 208 faces the user.

[0040] Another embodiment of an invention that may include the present hinged connector is the exemplary monitor 250 illustrated in FIGS. 14–17. It should be noted that detailed discussions of various conventional operating components of monitors which are not pertinent to the present inventions have been omitted for the sake of simplicity. The exemplary monitor 250 includes a housing 252 and a base 254 that are mechanically and electrically connected to one another by the exemplary hinged connector 100. The housing 252 supports a display 256 and houses the other operating components of the monitor 250, such as a drive circuit 258, while the base 254 supports the housing on a desktop or other surface. The base has a front side 260 and a rear side 262 and the rear side includes an opening 264 and a port 266 to which a connector cable from a data source such as, for example, a computer may be connected. In the exemplary implementation, the hinge member 102 is secured to the base 254 and the hinge member 106 is secured to the housing 252. The cable 118 (note FIG. 1) is operably connected to port 266, while the cable 126 is operably connected to the drive circuit 258. Due to the electrical connection between the hinge members 102 and 106, signals received by the connector 226 will be transferred to the drive circuit 258.

[0041] In addition to providing the aforementioned electrical connection, the exemplary hinged connector 100 allows the housing 252 to be positioned in a variety of orientations relative to the base 254. As illustrated for example in FIG. 14, the housing 252 may be oriented about the Y-axis such that it faces in the same direction as the base front side 260 and is oriented about the X-axis such that the Y-axis is perpendicular to the surface on which the base is resting. The housing 252 may also be pivoted about the Y-axis from the orientation illustrated in FIG. 14 to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 15, to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 16 where the housing rear side 268 is facing in the same direction as the base front side 260, back to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 14 to complete a full rotation, and as far beyond as the user desires. The housing 252 may also be pivoted about the X-axis in the manner illustrated in FIG. 17. Additionally, as described above with reference to FIG. 7F, the housing 252 may be simultaneously pivoted about the X-axis and Y-axis.

[0042] Although the present inventions have been described in terms of the preferred embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the scope of the present inventions extend to all such modifications and/or additions.