US 11,914,431 B2
Method of creating mechanical strength and industrial design aesthetics for hinge area of computing devices
Steven J. Zielnicki, Round Rock, TX (US); and Kevin L. Kamphuis, Round Rock, TX (US)
Filed by Dell Products L.P., Round Rock, TX (US)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/382,673.
Prior Publication US 2023/0023895 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. G06F 1/16 (2006.01); B21D 22/00 (2006.01); B21D 53/40 (2006.01); B23C 3/12 (2006.01); H05K 5/02 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 1/1681 (2013.01) [B21D 22/00 (2013.01); B21D 53/40 (2013.01); B23C 3/12 (2013.01); H05K 5/0226 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a hinge area for a computing device comprising the steps of:
stamping a shape from a material with a certain thickness, wherein the stamping is die stamping with a first step that stamps and forms a first shape at 70 degrees and a second step that stamps and forms a final shape at 90 degrees;
forming the inside of the hinge area in the shape;
cutting a top of the shape to provide for sides of the hinge area;
performing at least two squeeze forging operations to thicken the sides of the hinge area, wherein a first squeeze forging operation starts with a wall thickness of up to 1.2 mm, and a second squeeze forging operation increases the wall thickness to a finish of 1.8 mm, modifying by the forging wall height to up to 5.0 mm; and
CNC machining the sides of the hinge area.