Combined hinge and electrical connector for portable computer

摘要

A portable computer includes an upper housing for receiving a monitor, and a lower housing pivoted to the upper housing by means of a hinge assembly for receiving a computer processing unit. A connector unit includes an electrical connector having input terminals adapted to connect electrically with the computer processing unit and output terminals provided with conducting wires adapted to connect electrically with the monitor. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge unit which has a hollow pivot shaft and a first coupling member that extends radially from the hollow pivot shaft for connection with the upper housing, and a second hinge unit which has a sleeve portion that is sleeved rotatably on the hollow pivot shaft and a second coupling member that extends radially from the sleeve portion for connection with the lower housing. The hollow pivot shaft and the sleeve portion cooperatively define a space for the passage of the conducting wires from the electrical connector to the upper housing. The connector unit further includes a casing which is mounted on the lower housing and which has an accommodation portion that is communicated with the sleeve portion of the second hinge unit and that receives the electrical connector therein.