Electrostatic clutch for active control of free hinge
US11556153B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02N13/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hinge mechanism includes an electrostatic clutch for providing active control of a relative angle between two planar components. The hinge mechanism includes two conductive components on opposite sides of a dielectric layer; a relative angle detection mechanism usable to determine a relative angle between the two planar components; and a voltage controller that selectively applies voltage to at least one of the two conductive components when the detected angle between the two planar components satisfies a locking condition, the applied voltage creating an electrostatic force that restricts movement of the two conductive components and fixedly support the two planar components at the detected angle of separation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.