Patent Grant
11923134
The present disclosure relates generally to magnetic components. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to flexible magnetic components.
Magnetic components have an increasing variety of uses, for example, as closures or securing components for accessories, electronic devices, wearable devices, and other products. Magnets can also be used in electronic devices, such as in wearable devices or handheld electronics, to activate various sensors and to provide an indication of a device's configuration or state of change. In order to perform these desired functions, it can be important for a magnetic component to have a high level of magnetic field strength and/or to exert a strong magnetic attractive force. Further, it can be desirable for the magnetic components of a device, especially a flexible or wearable device, to be thin and flexible so that the presence of the magnetic component is not obvious or distracting to the user.
Traditional magnetic materials and component designs could only achieve these desired levels of performance with undesirably heavy, large, or rigid magnets. These traditional components and materials are typically subject to undesirable demagnetization over time. Accordingly, there is a need for magnetic materials and components that can achieve desired levels of performance, while also being relatively thin, flexible, lightweight, and not prone to demagnetization.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a flexible magnetic component can include a magnetizable powder including a rare earth element, and a polymer binder. The flexible magnetic component can have a first magnetic field strength adjacent to a first surface of the flexible magnetic component at least 3 times greater than a second magnetic field strength adjacent to a second surface of the flexible magnetic component opposite the first surface. The flexible magnetic component can also elongate greater than 20% before a permanent deformation occurs. In other words, the flexible magnetic component can elongate greater than 20% without plastic deformation.
In some examples, the flexible magnetic component can include between 25 volume percent (vol %) and 45 vol % of the polymer binder. The polymer binder can include at least one of a nitrile butadiene rubber material, a silicone material, or a fluoroelastomer material. The magnetizable powder can include neodymium. The flexible magnetic component can have a density of between 5 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) and 6.5 g/cm3. The flexible magnetic component can include a first portion having a first magnetic polarity, and two second portions disposed adjacent to the first portion and having magnetic polarities that are opposite the first magnetic polarity. The magnetic flux from a first magnetic pole of the first portion to a magnetic pole of a second adjacent portion having an opposite polarity can pass entirely through the flexible magnetic component, and magnetic flux from a second magnetic pole of the first portion to a magnetic pole of the second adjacent portion having an opposite polarity can pass through an exterior surface defined by the first portion and an exterior surface defined by the second portion.
According to some aspects, a flexible magnetic component can have a body defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first magnetic field strength adjacent to the first surface can be at least 3 times greater than a second magnetic field strength adjacent to the second surface, and the body can experience no permanent deformation upon being elongated more than 20%.
In some examples, the flexible magnetic component can include a first portion having a first magnetic polarity, a second portion surrounding the first portion having a magnetic polarity opposite the first magnetic polarity, and a third portion surrounding the second portion having the first magnetic polarity. The flexible magnetic component can have a thickness of less than 0.3 millimeters. The flexible magnetic component can be isotropically magnetized. The flexible magnetic component can be isotropically magnetized in two spatial dimensions, and anisotropically magnetized in a third spatial dimension. The body of the flexible magnetic component can include between 55 vol % and 75 vol % of a magnetizable powder. A hybrid magnetic component can include the flexible magnetic component and a sintered magnetic material disposed adjacent to the flexible magnetic component.
According to some examples, a securing system for a device can include a device enclosure including a magnetic material and a component including a flexible magnetic portion that is attracted to the magnetic material of the device enclosure. The flexible magnetic portion can define a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a first magnetic field strength adjacent to the first surface can be at least 3 times greater than a second magnetic field strength adjacent to the second surface. The flexible magnetic portion can also elongate greater than 20% before a permanent or plastic deformation occurs.
In some examples, the flexible magnetic portion can include a magnetizable powder including a rare earth element, and a polymer binder. The magnetic material can include a sintered magnet. The device enclosure can include a watch housing and the component can include a watch band. The flexible magnetic portion can be a first flexible magnetic portion, and the component can include a second flexible magnetic portion having a magnetic polarity opposite the first flexible magnetic portion. The device enclosure can include an electronic device enclosure including a transparent portion overlying a display, and the flexible magnetic component can include a cover for transparent portion.
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments, as defined by the appended claims.
A securing system for a wearable electronic device can include a device enclosure including a magnetic material located at one or more desired locations. The securing system can further include a securing component that can include a flexible magnetic portion or component that exerts an attractive force on the magnetic material of the device enclosure. This attractive force can aid in removably fixing the securing component to the device enclosure. The flexible magnetic portion can include a magnetizable powder that includes a rare earth element, with the magnetizable powder encased or embedded in a flexible polymeric binder material. The flexible magnetic portion can have multiple sections of alternating magnetic polarities, and the flux of the magnetic fields generated by these sections can pass entirely or predominantly through a single surface of the flexible magnetic portion. The flexible magnetic portion can have an attractive magnetic force per volume of greater than 25 N/cm3 when disposed directly adjacent to an identical flexible magnetic portion of opposite magnetic polarity. The flexible magnetic portion can also elongate by greater than 20% before a permanent or plastic deformation occurs.
Magnets and magnetic components can be used in electronic devices, electronic device accessories, and other components of electronic devices to enable a wide variety of functions and capabilities. In the context of wearable devices, magnets can be incorporated into securing components to allow a user to securely, yet removably, secure the device to the user's body, for example, with a magnetic clasp or other securement mechanism. Magnets and magnetic components can also be used in other contexts, for example, to attach or retain accessories such as input components or covers to an electronic device. In addition to providing secure yet removable securement components that do not include complex mechanical parts, which can be expensive or prone to damage, magnetic components can also be used to interact with sensors of a device to communicate information, such as whether a cover has been attached thereto, and to allow a device to respond accordingly, such as by turning off a display.
An additional advantage of using magnetic components to achieve desired functionalities is that magnetic components can be incorporated into a component or a device to perform a desired function without the need to be exposed to the ambient environment. Magnetic components can be incorporated into other device components in a relatively unobtrusive manner. In some examples, it can be desirable to incorporate a magnetic component such that its presence will not be noticeable to a user outside of the functions it performs. Accordingly, it can be desirable for a magnetic component to be as small and as light as possible, so as to reduce its footprint or noticeability to a user when incorporated into a device or a component.
This desire can present challenges in certain contexts, such as in the context of flexible components for wearable devices. In the example of a strap, such as a wristband for a wearable device, it can be desirable to provide a strap that is lightweight and flexible to secure the wearable device to the user. These properties can be advantageous for user comfort, and can also mimic the flexibility and sleekness of straps that are traditionally used on conventional wristwatches. This combination can provide the user with a desired aesthetic and tactile experience.
Conventional magnetic components, however, can be too brittle, too rigid, too heavy, and/or too large to be incorporated into such a flexible component. For example, conventional magnetic components, such as sintered magnets, can provide a desired level of magnetic field strength, but can be too heavy and too brittle to be incorporated into a flexible component. The use of sintered magnetic components in a watch band, for example, can result in large inflexible portions where the magnetic components are incorporated, making them obvious to the user and providing obstacles to user comfort. Other conventional magnetic components, such as bonded magnets, can come close to achieving desired levels of deformability or flexibility, but typically produce a magnetic field that is too weak to enable desired levels of performance. For example, a bonded magnet including a conventional magnetic powder and a polymer binder that is magnetized by a conventional magnetization process can be flexible and deformable, but will need to be relatively thick and large, or require the use of a metallic shunt, in order to produce a high magnetic field strength, thereby obviating any benefits provided by the potential flexibility of the material.
In contrast, the magnetic components described herein can provide desired levels of flexibility, deformability, size, weight, and other material properties, while also providing high strength magnetic fields that can produce much stronger attractive forces than conventional magnets having the same or similar material properties. The materials, design, and/or magnetization processes used to form the magnetic components described herein can allow for extremely thin and flexible magnetic components that produce magnetic fields of very high strength. The properties of the magnetic components described herein can allow for the production of flexible components, such as components for wearable devices, that are lightweight and flexible, and that do not include undesirably rigid or thick portions, while still incorporating magnetic components. Accordingly, the magnetic components described herein can be incorporated into a variety of components and devices in an unobtrusive and comfortable manner, and can even allow for component and device designs, performance, and functionalities that are unachievable with conventional magnetic components.
These and other examples are discussed below with reference to
In particular,
In some examples, the housing 102 can also enclose and support various structural and electrical components, including integrated circuit chips and other circuitry, to provide computing operations for the tablet device 100. In some examples, the housing 102 can define an aperture 104 that can be sized to accommodate a display assembly 108 or any other system suitable for providing a user with visual content. In some examples, the display assembly 108 can be a touch sensitive display and can include touch sensitive capabilities to allow the user to manipulate the device 100 using touch inputs. The display assembly 108 can be formed of any number of layers, including a transparent cover 109 that can be disposed over a display component and can include transparent materials, such as transparent polymers or ceramics, such as glass.
In some examples, a display mask can be applied to, or can be incorporated within or under the transparent cover 109. The display mask can be used to accent an unmasked portion of the display used to present visual content, and can be used to obscure or cover the device attachment feature 106. The tablet device 100 can include various ports that can be used to pass information between the tablet device 100 and the external environment. In particular, the data port 107 can facilitate the transfer of data and power to and from the tablet device 100. The tablet device 100 can also include speakers that can be used to output audio content. The table device 100 can also include one or more input components, such as the button 103 that can be used to provide an input signal to the tablet device 100. In some examples, a processor can use the signal from the button 103 to alter the operating state of the tablet device 100. For example, the button 103 can be used to reset a currently active page presented by the display assembly 108.
In some examples, the cover 110 can include a first magnetic component 112 that can be disposed inside the cover at a location designed to magnetically attract the device attachment feature 106 of the tablet device 100, when in a desired orientation. For example, the cover 110 can be attached to the tablet device 100 in an open configuration in which the display assembly 108 is fully viewable. In some examples, the cover 110 can include a flap 116. In one example, the flap 116 can have a size and shape corresponding to the display 108 and/or the transparent cover 109 of the device 100. In some examples, the flap 116 can be moveably or rotatably coupled to the device 100 by a hinge assembly (not shown) that can include the first magnetic component 112, as described herein. In some examples, a magnetic attachment force between the device attachment feature 106 and the first magnetic component 112 can maintain or secure the cover 110 to the tablet device 100 in a desired orientation. For example, an orientation wherein the cover 110 can be rotated between a position where the flap 116 entirely covers the display assembly 108 and a position where the flap 116 does not obscure or cover the display assembly 108.
In some examples, the cover 110 can further include a second magnetic component 114, for example, disposed in a location that can be positioned over or adjacent to one or more magnetic sensors 101, such as Hall effect sensors, of the device 100. In some examples, the second magnetic component 114 can produce a magnetic field that can be detected by a sensor 101 of the device 100, and that can facilitate one or more actions by the device 100. In some examples, a sensor 101 of the device 100 can detect when the second magnetic component 114 is within a threshold proximity of the sensor, and can change a state of the device based on such a detection. For example, when the sensor 101 of the device 100 detects that the second magnetic component 114 is within the threshold distance, such as when the cover 110 is disposed over the display 108, the sensor can provide a signal to a processor of the device 100 to initiate a state change, such as turning off the display 108. Further details regarding the features and structure of electronic devices and accessories including magnetic components are provided below, with reference to
More particularly, when segment 214 is lifted from the display 208, sensors in the tablet device 100 can detect that segment 214 has been lifted therefrom. For example, the sensor can be a Hall effect sensor disposed within the device 200 at a location adjacent to the magnetic component 224 of segment 214, when in the closed configuration. When the sensor detects that the magnetic field exerted by the magnetic component 224 has dropped below a threshold, for example, because the segment 214 has been lifted by a user, the sensor can provide a signal to the device 200, and the device 200 can selectively activate only the exposed portion of the display 208 as illustrated in
As shown in
As shown in
In some examples, the tablet device 200 can respond to signals from the sensors contained therein, such as Hall effect sensors, by activating the display 208 when any of the segments 214, 216, 218 are moved away from the display 208, and deactivating the display 208 when the display 208 is covered by one or more of the segments 214, 216, 218. Further details regarding the features and structure of electronic devices and accessories including magnetic components are provided below, with reference to
In some examples, one or more inserts 354 can accommodate embedded components, such as electronic components and/or magnetic components. For example, insert 354-1 can accommodate a magnet component 360. In some examples, a magnetic component 360 can be positioned to magnetically attract and/or cooperate with a corresponding attachment feature embedded in an electronic device, such as device 100, 200 described herein. In some examples, the attraction between the magnetic component 360 and a corresponding magnetic material of an electronic device can assist in securing the cover 300 to an electronic device. In some examples, at least one magnet component 360-1 can be positioned and sized to interact with a magnetically sensitive circuit, such as a Hall effect sensor, incorporated within an electronic device, as described herein. It should be noted that whereas some of the magnetic components 360 can be specifically allocated to interact primarily with an attachment feature of an electronic device, in some examples, one or more magnetic components 360 can magnetically interact with one or more other magnetic components 360 embedded in the cover 300, for example, to form the cover into a configuration acting as a support structure. Further, in some examples, the magnetic components 360 can be as flexible as the inserts 354 or other material of the cover in which the magnetic components 360 are disposed. Accordingly, in some examples, the cover 300 can be flexible or bendable at any desired location, including at the magnetic components 360.
In some examples, additional laminate structures can be formed of an adhesive layer(s) 356, a laminate material 358 and a top layer 364. In some examples, an intervening layer of material can be provided having a knitted structure that can aid in the attachment of the top layer 364. The top layer 364 can be formed of many materials such as plastic, leather, woven fabrics, and other materials that can provide a desired level of flexibility, resilience, and/or aesthetic appearance. In some examples, in order to provide structural support to one or more desired areas of the cover 300, the top layer 364 can have edges reinforced by reinforcement bars 366 that can be formed of plastic or other rigid or semi-rigid material.
Any number or variety of electronic devices, accessories, or components can include one or more magnetic components as described herein. The process for forming such a magnetic component can include any form of molding, casting, curing, or other forming method that can provide a magnetizable powder with a flexible binder. A magnetic component can be flexible and can elongate greater than 5%, 10%, 20%, or 30% or greater before a permanent or plastic deformation of the magnetic component occurs and can include any combination of properties of the examples of magnetic components described herein. Further, in some examples, the magnetic component can be disposed in the internal volume of a device or component and/or surrounded or partially surrounded by a material of the device or component. Various examples of components, accessories, and electronic devices including the one or more magnetic components as described herein, as well as processes for magnetizing and forming magnetic components are described below with reference to
Referring now to
The housing 402 can be a substantially continuous or unitary component, and can include one or more openings 404, 406 to receive components of the electronic device 400 and/or provide access to an internal portion of the electronic device 400. In some examples, the device 400 can include input components, such as one or more buttons 442 and/or a crown 444. In some examples, the housing 402 can include a magnetic material at one or more desired locations. For example, the housing 402 can include a magnetic material at a location corresponding to a desired attachment location of a magnetic component, as described herein.
The electronic device 400 can further include a strap 450, or another component designed to attach or secure the device 400 to a user, or to provide wearable functionality. In some examples, the strap 450 can be a flexible material that can comfortably allow the device 400 to be retained on a user's body at a desired location. Further, the housing 402 can include a feature or features that can provide attachment locations for the strap 450, for example, including a magnetic material. In some examples, the strap 450 can include one or more magnetic components, as described herein. Accordingly, the strap 450 can include a magnetic component or components that are attracted to the magnetic material disposed in the housing 402 or inside the internal volume defined by the housing 402. In this way, the strap 450 can be secured to the housing 402, but can also be easily removeable by a user. In some examples, the strap 450 and/or housing 402 can include other retention features or retention components that mechanically retain the strap 450 against the housing 402.
The device 400 can also include internal components, such as a haptic engine 424, a battery 422, and a system in package (SiP), including one or more integrated circuits 426, such as processors, sensors, and memory. The SiP can also include a package. The internal components, such as one or more of components 422, 424, 426 can be disposed within an internal volume defined at least partially by the housing 402, and can be affixed to the housing 402 via internal surfaces, attachment features, threaded connectors, studs, posts, or other features, that are formed into, defined by, or otherwise part of the housing 402, the cover 416, and/or the back cover 430. Further, in some examples, magnetic material and/or one or more magnetic components can be disposed in the internal volume, for example, to interact with or retain one or more accessories including magnetic components, as described herein. Various examples of components, accessories, and electronic devices including the one or more magnetic components as described herein, as well as processes for magnetizing and forming magnetic components, are described below with reference to
In some examples, and as shown, the second strap portion 656 can include a loop 653 positioned at an end adjacent the first strap portion 655. In some examples, and as shown in
As described herein, in some examples, at least the first strap portion 655 can include one or more magnetic components disposed therein. For example, the first strap portion 655 can include one or more magnetic components surrounded by, or embedded in, the material forming the first strap portion 655. As such, a section of the first strap portion 655 including a magnetic component can be folded back over itself after passing through the loop 653, whereupon the magnetic component can be positioned relative to one or more other magnetic components in the first strap portion 655. The magnetic components can be magnetically attracted to one another as described herein to thereby secure the first strap portion 655 and prevent the undesired passing of the first strap portion 655 back through the loop 653. When a user desires to remove the strap 650, the user can pull on or otherwise exert a force on the first strap portion 655 to separate the magnetic components contained therein from one another, and to allow the first strap portion 655 to be fed back through the loop 653.
Further, as shown, one or both strap portions 655, 656 can include one or more ridges or other non-planar features that can mechanically aid or assist the magnetic components in preventing the undesirable sliding of the coupled sections of the first strap portion 655 relative to one another. In some examples, these ridges or other features can correspond to, or can be disposed between the one or more magnetic components contained in the strap portion or portions 655, 656, and can aid or assist in aligning the magnetic components of the strap portion 655 with one another. Further details regarding the features and structure of electronic devices and accessories including magnetic components are provided below, with reference to
In some examples, the strap portion 700 can include a material that can form a body 722 of the strap portion 700. In some examples, the material can be a flexible, bendable, or otherwise deformable material, as described herein, and can allow the strap portion 700 to naturally conform to the object around which it can be secured, such as a user's wrist. In some examples, the material forming the body 722 can include a polymeric material, a ceramic material, a metallic material, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the material forming the body can be a natural polymer material, a synthetic polymer material, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the material forming the body 722 can be an organic material or materials, such as leather or hide. In some examples, the material of the body 722 can include a woven or fabric material, although any substantially flexible or deformable material can be used. In some examples, the material of the body 722 can be designed to provide a desired level of comfort when worn on a user, and can be selected to prevent irritation with a user's skin under a wide range of conditions, and to provide a desired texture and feel, such as a soft and compliant feel when worn.
In some examples, the strap portion 700 can include one or more magnetic components 710 that can be magnetic retention components 710. The magnetic retention component 710 can correspond with and attract and/or be attracted to a magnetic material in an electronic device to couple and retain the strap portion 700 thereto, for example, as described with respect to strap 450 and electronic device 400 of
The strap portion 700 can further include one or more magnetic components 744, 746 at least partially encased in, surrounded by, or otherwise carried in the strap portion 700. For example, where the material of the body 722 is a polymer, the magnetic components 744, 746 can be embedded in or can be surrounded by the polymer. In some examples, the material of the body 722 can be molded around the magnetic components 744, 746, or can be formed around or made to enclose the magnetic components by any desired method. In some examples, the body 722 can be formed from multiple pieces or sections of material that can be sealed or coupled together around the magnetic components 744, 746. For example, two strips or sections of a material, such as fabric or leather, can be joined alone their edges, such as by stitching, with the magnetic components 744, 746 disposed therebetween.
In some examples, these magnetic components 744, 746 can be flexible magnetic components, as described herein, and can bend and conform to a desired shape when the strap is deformed to secure an electronic device to a user. Accordingly, the magnetic components 744, 746 can provide a desired level of comfort to a user, and can allow the entire strap portion 700 to naturally conform to whatever object it is secured around without creating pressure points and without including rigid components that can present an undesirable feel and experience to a user.
When the strap portion 700 is folded over on itself, for example, as described and shown with respect to strap portion 655 in
As can be seen in
As shown, in this folded configuration, a first magnetic component 744 can be disposed relative to a second magnetic component 746, whereupon they can be magnetically attracted to, and/or coupled to, one another. That is, one or more second magnetic components 746 can be positioned adjacent and/or above one or more corresponding first magnetic components 744 of the strap portion 700, and can be magnetically coupled to the adjacent first magnetic components 744. The magnetic attraction forces between first magnetic components 744 and the second magnetic components 746 are illustrated in
Additionally, as shown in
In some examples, the first magnetic components 744 and the second magnetic components 746 can be magnetized and/or can include various alternating magnetic fields or polarities (for example illustrated as north (N) and south (S)) over the length of the magnetic component 744, 746. In some examples, the first magnetic components 744 can include a first arrangement of polarities over the length of the magnetic component 744, and the second magnetic component can include a second arrangement of polarities over the length of the magnetic component 746 that is distinct from the first arrangement. In some examples, the first and second arrangements of polarities can be corresponding but opposite arrangements of polarities. In some examples, one or both of the arrangements can include alternating magnetic poles. Although specific polarity arrangements of the magnetic components 744, 746 are shown in
In some examples, a first portion 810 can have a first magnetic polarity (N) and can be disposed adjacent to a second portion 820 having a second magnetic polarity (S). The first and second magnetic polarities can be different from one another and can be opposites, as shown. In some examples, the first and second portions 810, 820 can be disposed adjacent to one another. In some examples, the second portion 820 can partially or entirely surround the first portion 810. In some examples, the magnetic component 800 can have any desired shape. For example, the magnetic component 800 can have a rectangular or bar shape, a circular shape, a square shape, a triangular shape, a cube shape, a spherical shape, a rod shape, or any other geometric shape.
Further, although described as separate portions 810, 820, these portions 810, 820 can be regions of a singular, unitary, or continuous portion of material that includes the magnetic component 800, and can be distinguishable from one another only by their polarities, rather than any type of material, compositional, or physical boundary. In some examples, however, one or more of the portions 810, 820 can be formed separate from one or more other portions 810, 820, and can be joined thereto by any desired method, such as fusing, gluing, and/or adhering. In some examples, one or more of the portions 810, 820 can include a different material than the other portion, such that the magnetic component 800 can be a hybrid magnetic component 800. For example, the portion 810 can include a flexible material including a magnetizable powder and a flexible polymer binder, as described herein, while the second portion 820 can include a conventionally formed sintered magnetic material. Further, although the present example includes two portions 810, 820 of alternating magnetic polarities, the magnetic component 800 can include any number of portions in any desired size or shape.
In some examples, the magnetic component 800 can include a magnetizable powder that is encased in, embedded in, surrounded by, or otherwise carried by a flexible binder material. In some examples, the flexible binder material can be any material that can encase, surround, and/or carry a desired amount of the magnetizable powder while retaining a desired level of material properties, such as flexibility or the ability to deform or elongate. In some examples, the flexible binder material can include one or more polymers. For example, the flexible binder can include rubber, silicone, an elastomer material, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the flexible binder can include nitrile butadiene rubber, silicone, a fluoroelastomer such as fluo-rubber, or combinations thereof.
In some examples, the magnetizable powder can be an isotropically magnetizable powder. In some examples, the magnetizable powder can include one or more rare earth elements, such as neodymium and/or samarium. In some examples, the magnetizable powder can include additional elements or components, such as additional metallic elements or components. For example, the magnetizable powder can include iron, boron, cobalt, and/or other elements. In some examples, the magnetizable powder can be a rare earth magnet powder and can include neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) powder and/or samarium cobalt (SmCo) powder.
In some examples, the magnetizable powder of the magnetic component 800 can be isotropically magnetizable. In some other examples, however, the magnetizable powder of the magnetic component 800 can be partially isotropic or partially isotropically magnetizable. For example, the magnetizable powder of the magnetic component 800 can be isotropic in a plane, but anisotropic in directions perpendicular to the plane. In some examples, the magnetizable powder can be exposed to a magnetic field as the magnetic component 800 is being formed, such as during a molding process, so that the magnetizable powder preferentially aligns with the magnetic field. Upon curing or solidifying of the binder material, the orientation of the magnetizable powder can be fixed, and the magnetic field can be removed, producing the partially isotropic magnetic component 800 that is isotropic in two spatial dimensions and anisotropic in a third spatial dimension.
The ratio of the amount of magnetizable powder relative to the flexible binder material in the magnetic component 800 can have any desired value that is capable of providing the magnetic component 800 with desired mechanical and magnetic properties, as described herein. In some examples, the magnetic component 800 can include a larger volume percentage of the magnetizable powder than the flexible binder material. In some examples, the magnetic component 800 can include greater than about 60 volume percent (vol %) of the magnetizable powder. In some examples, the magnetic component 800 can include between about 55 vol % and 75 vol % of the magnetizable powder, or between about 60 vol % and 70 vol % of the magnetizable powder, for example about 65 vol %.
As described herein, the material of the magnetic component 800, for example including a magnetizable powder and a flexible binder, can have desired levels of strength, hardness, density, and deformability or ability to flex or elongate. In some examples, the tensile strength of the material of the magnetic component 800 can be greater than about 1 megapascal (MPa), greater than about 2 MPa, greater than about 5 MPa, or even greater. In some examples, the material of the magnetic component 800 can have a hardness of between about 20 and 80 on the Shore D hardness scale. In some examples, the material of the magnetic component 800 can have a density of between about 4 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) and 8 g/cm3. For example, the material of the magnetic component 800 can have a density of between about 5 g/cm3 and 6.5 g/cm3, or between about 5.4 g/cm3 and 6 g/cm3. In some examples, the magnetic component 800 and/or the material forming the magnetic component 800 can elongate greater than about 20% before any permanent or plastic deformation of the material and/or magnetic component 800 occurs. That is, the magnetic component 800 can be stretched in any dimension or dimensions to greater than about 120% of its original dimension or dimensions by exerting a force thereon and can still naturally return to its original dimension or dimensions upon removal of the stretching force. In some examples, the material forming the magnetic component 800 can elongate greater than about 30%, greater than about 40%, greater than about 50%, greater than about 60%, greater than about 70%, or even up to about 80% before any permanent or plastic deformation of the material and/or magnetic component 800 occurs. Further details regarding examples of a magnetic component 900, including details regarding the attractive forces experienced and exerted by the magnetic component 900 are described with respect to
In some examples and as illustrated, a first portion 910 can have a first magnetic polarity (S) and can be disposed adjacent to a second portion 920 having a second magnetic polarity (N). The first and second magnetic polarities can be different from one another and can be opposites, as shown. The magnetic component 900 can include a third portion 930 disposed adjacent to the second portion 920 that has a third polarity (S) that can be different from the second polarity. The third polarity can be opposite the second polarity and the same as the first polarity, as shown. Accordingly, the magnetic component 900 can include multiple portions having alternating polarities. In some examples, the second portion 920 can partially or entirely surround the first portion 910, while the third portion 930 can partially or entirely surround the second portion 920. In some examples, however, the portions 910, 920, 930 can be disposed in any desired arrangement, configuration, or shape, including alternating polarities of adjacent portions.
In some examples, and as shown, the magnetic component 900 can have a substantially cylindrical or disc shape, although the magnetic component 900 can have any desired shape. For example, the magnetic component 900 can have a rectangular or bar shape, a square shape, a triangular shape, a cube shape, a sphere shape, a rod shape, or any other shape. In some examples, the materials of the magnetic component 900, as described herein, can allow for the formation of a magnetic component 900 that can be relatively thin, while still retaining desired levels of resilience, flexibility, and magnetic strength. For example, the magnetic component 900 can have a thickness less than about 5 millimeters (mm), less than about 2 mm, or less than about 1 mm or even smaller. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can have a thickness between about 0.3 mm and 0.1 mm, which can allow the magnetic component 900 to be relatively light and, in some examples, imperceptible or nearly imperceptible to a user when included in a flexible component or device. The magnetic component 900 can have any desired diameter or width, for example, on the order of several millimeters, tens or millimeters, or even larger. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can have a diameter of between about 10 mm and 50 mm, for example, about 25 mm.
For example, if one of the magnetic components 900, 901 is moved laterally with respect to the configuration shows in
In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can have or experience an attractive force per volume of greater than about 20 Newtons per cubic centimeter (N/cm3) when it is disposed directly adjacent to or in direct contact with a substantially compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can have or experience an attractive force per volume of greater than about 25 N/cm3 when it is disposed directly adjacent to a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can have or experience an attractive force per volume of greater than about 30 N/cm3, or greater than about 35 N/cm3 when it is disposed directly adjacent to a compositionally and dimensionally identical, or nearly identical, magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can have or experience an attractive force per volume of about 30 N/cm3 when it is disposed directly adjacent to a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities.
In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can have or experience an attractive force per volume of greater than about 10 N/cm3, greater than about 15 N/cm3, or even greater than about 20 N/cm3 when it is disposed approximately 0.8 mm from a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can have or can experience an attractive force per volume of about 18 N/cm3 when it is disposed approximately 0.8 mm from a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities.
In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can resist a shear force per volume of greater than about 20 N/cm3 when it is disposed directly adjacent to a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can resist a shear force per volume of greater than about 25 N/cm3, greater than about 30 N/cm3, or even greater than about 35 N/cm3, or greater, when it is disposed directly adjacent to a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can resist a shear force per volume of about 34 N/cm3 when it is disposed directly adjacent to a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities.
In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can resist a shear force per volume of greater than about 10 N/cm3 when it is disposed approximately 0.8 mm from a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can resist a shear force per volume of greater than about 15 N/cm3 or greater than about 20 N/cm3 or even greater when it is disposed approximately 0.8 mm from a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. In some examples, the magnetic component 900 can resist a shear force per volume of about 16 N/cm3 when it is disposed approximately 0.8 mm from a compositionally and dimensionally identical magnetic component 901 having an opposite magnetic polarity or arrangement of polarities. Various examples of components, accessories, and electronic devices including the one or more magnetic components as described herein, as well as processes for magnetizing and forming magnetic components are described below with reference to
As can be seen, each of the portions 1010, 1020, 1030 of the magnetic component 1000 generates a magnetic field (indicated with reference arrows) that bends towards the opposite pole of an adjacent portion and passes through both the top surface 1001 and the bottom surface 1002 of the component 1000 as defined by the portions 1010, 1020, 1030. Such a magnetic field configuration is often not desirable for some applications, such as those described herein, because half of the flux of the field, and thus half of the potential force exerted by the magnetic field, passes through the bottom surface 10002 of the component 1000. In some situations, for example when using two magnetic components to couple to one another, as shown in
In contrast to
As can be seen, each of the portions 1110, 1120, 1130 of the magnetic component 1100 generates a magnetic field (indicated with reference arrows) that bends towards the opposite pole of an adjacent portion. In the present example, however, the flux does not pass through a bottom surface 1102 of the magnetic component and only, or substantially predominantly, passes through the top surface 1101 of the magnetic component 1100 defined by the portions 1110, 1120, 1130. Accordingly, the composition, magnetization, and arrangement of the magnetic component 1100 can achieve a similar or even greater magnetic flux through the surface 1101, and thus a similar or even greater force as the magnetic component 1000 of
In some examples, the strength of the magnetic field measured adjacent to the top surface 1101 can be greater than a strength of the magnetic field measured adjacent to a second, opposite surface 1102. For example, the composition, magnetization, and arrangement of the magnetic component 1100 can allow for the magnetic field strength near the top surface 1101 to be much larger than the magnetic field strength near the bottom surface 1102. In some examples, the magnetic field strength measured near or adjacent to the top surface 1101 can be greater than about 1000 Gauss (Gs), greater than about 1250 Gs, greater than about 1500 Gs, greater than about 1750 Gs, or even up to about 2000 Gs or greater. In some examples, the magnetic field strength measured near or adjacent to the bottom surface 1102 can be less than 1000 Gs, less than 500 Gs, less than 400 Gs, or even less than 350 Gs or smaller. Thus, in some examples, a ratio of the magnetic field strength measured near or adjacent to the top surface 1101 to the magnetic field strength measured near or adjacent to the bottom surface 1102 can be greater than 1.5, greater than 2, greater than 3, greater than 4, greater than 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, or even 4.9 or more.
Further, the arrangement of polarities and the flux of the magnetic field generated by the portions 1110, 1120, 1130 of the magnetic component 1100 can be less prone to self-demagnetization than the magnetic component 1000 described with respect to
The magnetic component 1200 can be formed into a desired shape, such as the shape of magnetic component 900 illustrated in
The magnetizer can include multiple electromagnets 1310, 1320, 1330, for example, sized and shaped to correspond to the desired portions 1210, 1220, 1230 having alternating polarities to be formed in the magnetic component 1200. For example, where the portion 1220 is a circular or disk-shaped portion, the corresponding electromagnet 1320 can also be circular or disk shaped. The magnetic fields produced by the electromagnets 1310, 1320, 1330 of the magnetizer 1300 can have polarities that are opposite of the desired polarities of the desired portions 1210, 1220, 1230. Further, because the magnetizer 1300 predominantly or exclusively exposes the magnetic component 1200 to magnetic fields from one side, namely through the surface 1201 thereof, the one-sided magnetic polarity described with respect to
In some examples, the magnetizer 1300 can expose the magnetic component 1200 to a magnetic field of about 1 Tesla (T) or greater. In some examples, the magnetizer 1300 can expose the magnetic component 1200 to a magnetic field of about 2 T or greater. During the magnetization process, the current used by the magnetizer 1300 to generate the magnetic fields can be monitored to ensure that saturation of the magnetic component 1200 has occurred. In some examples, once the current used to generate the fields has plateaued, then saturation of the magnetic component 1200 can be deemed to have occurred. In some examples, it can be difficult for the magnetizer 1300 to generate a strong enough field to saturate the entire thickness of the magnetic component 1200. In these examples, additional components, such as additional magnetizers, magnets, or other components for directing or generating magnetic fields can be used to ensure a magnetic field of the desired polarity completely saturates the entire thickness of the material of the magnetic component 1200.
At block 1410, a magnetizable powder can be mixed with a binder material, for example in a molten, melted, and/or liquid state. In some examples, the magnetizable powder can include a rare earth element, as described herein. In some examples, the magnetizable powder can include neodymium and can be NdFeB. The binder material can be a polymeric material that can have a desired level of resiliency, weight, flexibility, or other material properties when in a cured or otherwise solid state. In some examples, the magnetizable powder can be mixed with the binder material when the binder material is in a liquid state. In some other examples, the magnetizable powder can be mixed with a solid binder material, such as in powdered form, that can then be melted to a liquid state.
At block 1420, the mixed magnetizable powder and binder material can be cured, for example in a desired shape, to form a flexible component having the material properties described herein. In some examples, the mixed magnetizable powder and binder material can be provided into a mold in a liquid and/or melted form, and can be cooled and/or cured to form a solid flexible component. In some examples, the magnetizable powder and binder material can be solidified by cooling from a heated or melted state. In some other examples, the magnetizable powder and binder material can be cured to a solid state, such as through exposure to electromagnetic radiation and/or one or more chemicals to facilitate the curing process, depending on the binder materials. As described herein, in some examples, a magnetic field can be applied to the magnetizable powder and binder mixture during the cooling or curing process to provide a partially isotropic magnetizable flexible component. For example, the flexible component can be isotropically magnetized in two spatial dimensions, and can be anisotropically magnetized in a third spatial dimension after undergoing such a process.
In some examples, the curing or solidifying process can be a molding process, such as an injection molding or compression molding process. In some examples, any process capable of forming the mixture or combination of magnetizable powder and binder into a continuous or unitary solid flexible component can be carried out at block 1420.
At block 1430, the flexible component can be magnetized so that the entire magnetic flux from one set of alternating magnetic poles of adjacent portions of the flexible component passes predominantly through the interior of the flexible component and a first exterior surface of the flexible component, and not through a second exterior surface opposite the first exterior surface. The magnetization process of block 1430 can be similar to, and can include some or all of the features and/or steps of the magnetization process including magnetizer 1300 described with respect to
Any of the features or aspects of the magnetic components discussed herein can be combined or included in any varied combination. For example, the design and shape of the magnetic components described herein are not limited in any way, and can be formed by any number of processes, including those discussed herein. Further, a magnetic component can include any number, size, and configuration of portions having alternating magnetic polarities and can be combined with one or more other components by any method now known or discovered in the future. The principles and structure described with respect to the magnetic components can also be used in conjunction with other devices and assemblies including the magnetic components and are not limited to being applicable to electronic devices or components.
To the extent applicable to the present technology, gathering and use of data available from various sources can be used to improve the delivery to users of invitational content or any other content that may be of interest to them. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, TWITTER® ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.
The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that is of greater interest to the user. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users to calculated control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user's general wellness or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals.
The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.
Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates examples in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide mood-associated data for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time mood-associated data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of a baseline mood profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app.
Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user's privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods.
Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery services, or publicly available information.
As used herein, the terms exterior, outer, interior, inner, top, and bottom are used for reference purposes only. An exterior or outer portion of a component can form a portion of an exterior surface of the component but may not necessarily form the entire exterior of outer surface thereof. Similarly, the interior or inner portion of a component can form or define an interior or inner portion of the component but can also form or define a portion of an exterior or outer surface of the component. A top portion of a component can be located above a bottom portion in some orientations of the component, but can also be located in line with, below, or in other spatial relationships with the bottom portion depending on the orientation of the component.
Various inventions have been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples. However, they will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions disclosed herein, in that those inventions set forth in the claims below are intended to cover all variations and modifications of the inventions disclosed without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The terms “including:” and “having” come as used in the specification and claims shall have the same meaning as the term “comprising.”
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4941236 | Sherman | Jul 1990 | A |
| 5416457 | Nakatsuka | May 1995 | A |
| 6304162 | Nakatsuka | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 8390412 | Lauder et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8816805 | Fullerton et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 10117504 | Bataillou et al. | Nov 2018 | B2 |
| 20140028426 | Fullerton | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20180350491 | Bharadwaj et al. | Dec 2018 | A1 |
| 20190269914 | Moaddeb | Sep 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2010032303 | Feb 2010 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210074459 A1 | Mar 2021 | US |
