Patent Publication Number: US-2021162569-A1

Title: Tool with magnetic element

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Tools with active magnetic tips facilitate the picking up, positioning and placing of magnetic objects in various environments (e.g., manufacturing environment). Some tools are designed to be “grabbers” (e.g., tools to pick up screws that drop within products during repair). Other tools are designed to be “placers” (e.g. tools that terminate magnetic attraction in order to release metal debris). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are sectional views of an example tool that can position a magnetic element between a retracted and extended position. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an isometric view of an example tool. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example tool with a magnetic element in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example tool with a magnetic element in an extended position. 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates an isometric view of an outer housing depicted in the example of  FIG. 2C . 
         FIG. 2E  illustrates a closeup view of an outer tip of the outer housing depicted in the example of  FIG. 2D , according to a first variation. 
         FIG. 2F  illustrates a closeup view of an outer tip of the outer housing depicted in the example of  FIG. 2D , according to a second variation. 
         FIG. 2G  illustrates an isometric view of an inner housing depicted in the example of  FIG. 2C . 
         FIG. 2H  illustrates a closeup view of a magnetic element of the inner housing depicted in the example of  FIG. 2G . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example method for manipulating an example tool. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Examples pertain to a user manipulated tool that provides fine control in picking up and placing various types of magnetic components or objects. 
     According to some examples, the tool includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing is structured to travel at least partially within the outer housing from a retracted position to an extended position. Further, the inner housing travels within the outer housing from the retracted position to the extended position under bias of a biasing mechanism. In the extended position, a magnetic element of the inner housing abuts or at least partially occupies a void defined by the outer tip. 
     With reference to examples as described, the term “magnetic” in reference to an object (e.g., “magnetic element”) of the tool, is intended to mean that the object has, or otherwise can generate, a magnetic field of sufficient strength to cause at least one of attachment or repulsion by another object that emits a magnetic field when the two objects are positioned in sufficient proximity to one another. 
       FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are sectional views of an example tool that can position a magnetic element between a retracted and extended position. With reference to  FIG. 1A , a tool  10  can be manipulated by a user to pick up, position and/or orient other magnetic objects (e.g., metallic objects). 
     In examples, the tool  10  includes an outer housing  20 , an inner housing  30 , and a biasing mechanism  40 . The inner housing can include, or otherwise be provided with a magnetic element  32  at a distal end. The outer housing  20  and the inner housing  30  can be concentrically aligned, allowing for at least a section of the inner housing  30  to move relative to the outer housing  20 . In an example, the inner housing  30  can travel within the outer housing  20 , under bias of the biasing mechanism  40 , between a retracted position  50  and an extended position  60 . The tool may include a combination of grip or retention mechanism to enable the user to move the inner housing  30  relative to the outer housing. The manipulation of the inner housing  30  can be by way of application of force (e.g., user pressing with hand) to initiate the inner housing  30  to travel to the extended position  60 , and by release of the applied force (e.g., user relaxing hand) to enable the inner housing  30  to return to the retracted position  50 . When the inner housing is in the retracted position  50 , the magnetic element  32  is positioned away or distally from an outer tip  22  of the outer housing  20 . When the inner housing is in the extended position  60 , the magnetic element  32  is positioned within or near a void  24  of the outer tip  22 . In this position, the magnetic field emitted from the magnetic element  32  can attract other objects to the outer tip  22  of the outer housing  20 . 
     According to examples, the magnetic element  32  can be a permanent magnet, such as formed by rare earth materials. In variations, the magnetic element  32  can be an electromagnetic magnet that is activated by a charge, such as may be provided by a battery housed within the tool  100 . Still further, in implementations, the inner housing  30  can position the magnetic element  32  so that a surface of the magnetic element  32  is external, or externally exposed to the tool at the outer tip  22 . In such a configuration, the magnetic element  32  can directly contact an object that is being picked up or moved. 
     In other variations, the magnetic element  32  can be slightly recessed within the void  24  of the outer tip  22  so that an attracted object may contact a periphery of the outer tip  22 , rather than directly contacting the magnetic element  32 . As another variation, the magnetic element  32  can be formed from magnetic material that is encased by another structure that is integrated with the inner housing  30 . In such variations, the magnetic element  32  can be extended to, or through the void  24  of the outer tip  22 , so that a surface of the encased structure is exposed at the outer tip  22  to attract objects. 
     The biasing mechanism  40  can be structured within the outer housing  20  to apply an increasing bias against the inner housing  30  as the inner housing  30  is moved to the extended position  60 , with the maximum bias being applied when the inner housing  32  is in the extended position  60 . Likewise, the biasing mechanism  40  can be relaxed to lessen the bias on the inner housing  30  as the inner housing  30  is returned to the retracted position  50 , with no bias (or minimal bias) being applied against the inner housing  30  when in the retracted position  50 . 
     In examples, the biasing mechanism  40  can be implemented as one or multiple springs, such as an extension spring, torsional spring or a compression spring. As shown by some examples, the biasing mechanism  40  can be implemented using an extension spring that connects the inner housing to an interior surface of the outer housing  20 . In such a configuration, the extension spring biases as the inner housing  30  is moved towards the extended position  60 , and the extension spring relaxes as the inner housing  30  is moved towards the retracted position  50 . In variations, the biasing mechanism  40  can be implemented as one or multiple compression springs (e.g., tubular springs that surround the inner housing  30  or which lay adjacent to the inner housing) that resist inward movement of the inner housing  30 . As still another variation, the biasing mechanism  40  can be formed from elastic materials, such as deformable materials or materials that elongate to provide bias. 
     In another variation, the outer tip  22  can be structured to include an end wall, without a void that exposes the interior of the tool  10  and the magnetic element  32 . In such an example, the magnetic element  32  can abut against an interior of the end wall of the outer tip  22 . In this position, other magnetic objects can be attracted or repulsed to the outer tip  22 , with attracted objects being attached to the end wall or surface of the outer tip  22 . 
       FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of an example tool  100 . The example tool  100  includes an outer housing  110 , an inner housing  120  and an end section  130 . The inner housing  120  can be structured to travel within the outer housing  110  by way of application of force to the end section  130 . In some examples, the tool  100  can be held between a palm or thumb of the user at the top section  130  and the fingers of the user at the flanges  117 . The top section  130  is connected to the inner housing  120  so that when the user applies force to the top section  130 , both the top section  130  and the inner housing  120  (and accordingly a magnetic element of the inner housing  120 ) move in unison. The flanges  117  are affixed to the outer housing  110 . In this way, the fingers of the user at the flanges  117  stay in a fixed position relative to the outer housing  110  as the palm or thumb of the user (along with the top section  130  and the inner housing  120 ) move relative to the outer housing  110  during an application of force by the user. 
     A distance from a top surface of the top section  130  and a bottom surface of the outer tip  112  defines a length of the tool  100 . Due to the handheld characteristic of the tool  100 , a distance from the top surface of the top section  130  to the flanges  117  is meant to approximate a hand size of a user (e.g., distance from palm to finger tips). A distance from the flanges  117  to the bottom surface of the outer tip  112  can vary by application. For example, some applications may prevent a user from being in close proximity to the product in which magnetic components or objects are to be placed (e.g., clean room environment), which may necessitate a longer tool. Other applications may allow or even benefit a user to be in close proximity to the product in which magnetic components or objects are to be placed, which may necessitate a shorter tool. As such, the length of the tool  100  can vary or be tailored to a particular application. 
     The shape of the outer tip  112  can also vary or be tailored to a particular application. In examples, the outer tip  112  can be shaped to provide increased visibility of magnetic components or objects during pick up and/or placement. As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 2A , the outer tip  112  is conically shaped, although other shapes are contemplated (e.g., pyramidal, etc.). In addition, the shape of the outer tip  112  and the shape of the magnetic element of the inner housing  120  can be structured to create an interference fit between an interior surface of the outer tip  112  and an exterior surface of the magnetic element when the magnetic element is in the extended position. In variations, the shape of the outer tip  112  and the shape of the magnetic element can be structured so that, in the extended position, a clearance or gap exists between an interior surface of the outer tip  112  and an exterior surface of the magnetic element. For example, in one variation, the outer tip  112  can be conically shaped and the magnetic element can be cylindrically shaped. 
       FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 2C  illustrate cross sectional views along the A-A axis and viewed from perspective A in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2B  illustrates a magnetic element  122  of the inner housing  120  residing in a retracted position  150 .  FIG. 2C  illustrates the magnetic element  122  of the inner housing  120  in the extended position  160 , abutting a void  114  defined by the outer tip  112  of the outer housing  110 . 
     The top section  130  can be structured to receive contact by a hand of the user (e.g., palm, thumb, etc.). In addition, the top section  130  can be structured to connect to the inner housing. In some examples, the top section  130  can be structured to encapsulate the outer housing  110  and also pass through the outer housing  110  in order to connect to the inner housing  120 . In the example of  FIGS. 2B and 2C , the top section  130  encapsulates the outer housing  110  and also passes through a side wall of the outer housing  110  on opposing sides to connect to recesses  128  positioned on corresponding opposing sides of the inner housing  120 . In other examples, the end section  130  does not encapsulate the outer housing  110 , but rather passes through a top wall of the outer housing  110  (e.g., lid  111 ) and connects to a top wall of the inner housing (e.g., surface adjacent to link  129 ). 
     When the magnetic element  122  is in the retracted position  150 , an interior surface of the top section  130  is separate from an exterior surface of the lid  111  of the outer housing  110 . As the magnetic element  122  travels from the retracted position  150  to the extended position  160 , the separation lessens between the interior surface of the top section  130  and the exterior surface of the lid  111 . In the example of  FIG. 2C , when the magnetic element  122  abuts the void  114 , the interior surface of the top section  130  contacts the exterior surface of the cover  111 . In variations, when the magnetic element  122  abuts the void  114  in the extended position, the top section  130  can be structured so that a separation exists between the interior surface of the top section  130  and the exterior surface of the lid  111 . 
     The tool  100  includes a spring  140 . The spring  140  connects the outer housing  110  to the inner housing  120  via the links  119 ,  129 . As the inner housing  120  travels within the outer housing  110  between the retracted position  150  and the extended position  160 , the spring  140  correspondingly extends and retracts. 
     The spring  140  can be wound to oppose extension (e.g., extension spring). In the retracted position, the spring  140  exists under minimal or no bias. In an example, when the tool  100  is in an upright position and under no application of force by the user, the spring  140  can exist under a bias provided by a weight of the inner housing  120  and a weight of the top section  130 . In such an example, the spring  140  can be configured to retain the magnetic element  122  in the retracted position  150  under the bias provided by the weight of the inner housing  120  and the top section  130 . 
     When manipulated to the extended position  160  by an application of force by the user, the spring  140  extends and exists under additional bias. In order to maintain the magnetic element  122  in the extended position  160 , the user maintains the application of force. For example, while moving magnetic components or objects from one area (e.g., staging area) to a desired location (e.g., subassembly), the user maintains the application of force (e.g., grip on the tool  100 ) so that the magnetic element  122  remains abutted against the outer tip  112  of the outer housing  110  in the extended position  160  and, accordingly, the magnetic components or objects remain attached to the outer tip  112  of the tool  100 . A diminishment of the application of force by the user causes the magnetic element  122  to travel toward the retracted position  150  and, accordingly, causes a diminishment in a magnitude of the active magnetic force at the outer tip  112  of the outer housing  110 . 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates an isometric view of an outer housing depicted in the example of  FIG. 2C . The outer housing  110  includes the lid  111 , outer tip  112 , void  114 , flanges  117 , mechanical fasteners  118  and link  119 . The outer housing  110  can be formed from material that does not cause the outer housing  110  to attract or repel magnetic components or objects. In this way, when the magnetic element  122  resides in the retracted position  150 , the outer housing  110  does not inadvertently pick up or repel magnetic components or objects. Further, during placement of magnetic components or objects at a desired location, the outer housing  110  does not cause the magnetic components or objects to “jump back” to the tool  100 , nor does the outer housing  110  necessitate additional effort on the part of the user to remove the magnetic components or objects from the tool  100  (e.g., “wiping” magnetic components from the outer tip  112 ) when removing the tool  100  from the desired location. 
     The lid  111  provides a cover for the outer housing  110 . The lid  111  can be secured to the outer housing  110  with mechanical fasteners  118  (e.g., pins, screws, etc.) that can be received by receptacles of the outer housing  110 . The lid  111  can be configured to be removeable (e.g., by removing mechanical fasteners  118 ) to provide access to an interior area of the outer housing  110 . Access to an interior area of the outer housing  110  provides the user with the option to configure and/or replace different components of the tool  100  (e.g., spring, inner housing  120 , magnetic element  122 , etc.). In addition, an interior surface of the lid  111  can include the link  119  that provides a point of connection for the spring  140  to attach to the outer housing  110 . 
       FIG. 2E  illustrates a closeup view of section B in  FIG. 2D . The outer tip  112  can define a void  114 . The void can be structured to include various shapes (e.g., circle, square, etc.). In addition, the void  114  can be sized to include various dimensions that correspond to the respective shapes (e.g., diameter, diagonal, etc.). In the example of  FIG. 2E , the void  114  is a circle sized to a diameter  115 . In an example, the diameter  115  of the void  114  can be sized large enough to allow a magnetic force of the magnetic element  122  to attract magnetic components or objects to the outer tip  112  when the magnetic element  122  abuts the outer tip  112 , yet sized small enough to prevent the magnetic components or objects from being drawn into the outer housing  110  through the void  114  when the magnetic element  122  travels from the extended position  160  to the retracted position  150 . In another example, the diameter  115  can be sized large enough to allow the magnetic element  122  to protrude through the outer tip  112  of the outer housing  110  so that magnetic components or objects can attach directly to the magnetic element  122 . 
     In variations, an outer tip  113  can include an end wall, without a void. In this way, the outer tip  113  conceals the interior of the tool  100  and the magnetic element  122 . The end wall of the outer tip  113  can be sized to a thickness  116 . In an example, the thickness  116  can be sized to allow a magnetic force of the magnetic element  122  to attract magnetic components or objects when the magnetic element  122  abuts the outer tip  112 . In this way, the outer tip  113  prevents magnetic components or objects from being drawn into the tool  100  as the magnetic element  122  travels from the extended position  160  to the retracted position  150 , regardless of the size of the magnetic components or objects. In addition, the thickness  116  can be formed to include an entire surface of the outer tip  112 , or a portion of a surface of the outer tip  112  so as to create an indent/impression (e.g., dimple) or multiple indents/impressions on the surface of the outer tip  112 . 
     The outer housing  110  can include flanges  117 . The flanges  117  enable the user to counterbalance the application of force to the top section  130  when manipulating the inner housing  120  to travel within the outer housing  110  from the retracted position  150  to the extended position  160 . In addition, the flanges  117  enable the user to counterbalance the release of the applied force when manipulating the inner housing  120  to travel within the outer housing  110  from the extended position  160  to the retracted position  150 . In addition, the flanges  117  can be co-located to maximize leverage and ergonomic comfort for the user. For example, a distance from the top end  130  to the flanges  117  can approximate a distance from a palm to a finger tip of a user. 
       FIG. 2G  is an isometric view of the inner housing  120 . The inner housing  120  includes a magnetic element  122 , a multibody assembly  124 , recess  126 , mechanical fasteners  128 , and link  129 . The inner housing  120  moves within and aligns concentrically with the outer housing  110 . The inner housing connects to the spring  140  (and hence the outer housing  110 ) via the link  129  positioned on a top surface of the inner housing. The recess  126  is structured to receive a portion of the top section  130  in order to connect the inner housing  120  to the top section  130 . 
       FIG. 2H  illustrates a closeup view of section C in  FIG. 2D . In the example of  FIG. 2H , the magnetic element is encased between components of the multibody assembly  124 . The components of the multibody assembly  124  can be press-fitted and structured to provide a space at the bottom of the inner housing  120  to house the magnetic element  122 . The mechanical fasteners  128  (e.g., screws, pins, etc.) secure the multibody assembly  124  together. In addition, when an application calls for the magnetic polarity of its magnetic components or objects to face a particular direction (e.g., north) when placed in a product, the magnetic element  122  can be oriented within the inner housing  120  so that the magnetic polarity of the magnetic element  122  faces the opposite direction (e.g., south). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example method for manipulating a tool. The example method such as described by the example of  FIG. 3  can be implemented using example tools, such as described with the examples of  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2H . Accordingly, reference is made to elements described with the examples to  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2H  to illustrate components for implementing a block or sub-block being described in  FIG. 3 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the inner housing  120  of the tool  100  can be manipulated, under bias of the biasing mechanism  140 , to travel at least partially within the outer housing  110  from the retracted position  150  to the extended position  160  ( 300 ). 
     The tool  100 , in its neutral state (e.g., without force applied to the inner housing  120  or the top section  130 ), resides at the retracted position  150 . In the retracted position  150 , the tool  100 , or at least its outer tip  112 , does not provide an active magnetic force to attract or repel magnetic components or objects. When a user manipulates the inner housing  120  to travel within the outer housing  110  so that the magnetic element  122  of the inner housing  120  travels towards the outer tip  112 , the biasing mechanism  140  exists under bias and resists the manipulation. In this example, the user maintains or enhances the force applied in order to further manipulate the magnetic element  122  towards the outer tip  112 . 
     In the extended position  160 , the magnetic element  122  of the inner housing  120  abuts or at least partially occupies the void  114  defined by the outer tip  112  of the outer housing  110  ( 310 ). In the extended position  160 , the tool  100  (at the outer tip  112 ) is capable of attracting and attaching to magnetic objects or components. In order to continue to hold the magnetic objects or components with the tool  100 , the user maintains the application of force so that the magnetic element  122  remains in the extended position  160 . On the other hand, when the user diminishes the force applied, the magnetic element  122  automatically moves away from the outer tip  112  (and towards the retracted position  150 ) due to the bias of the biasing mechanism  140 . In this way, the active magnetic force (e.g., the magnet  123 ) correspondingly diminishes from the outer tip  112 , and, accordingly, the tool  100  may “drop” magnetic components or objects. 
     In addition, when placing magnetic components or objects, the user can deliberately diminish the application of force (e.g., relaxing grip on the tool  100 ) when the magnetic components or objects reach a desired location. During placement, the outer tip  112  can pin down magnetic components or objects as the magnetic element  122  moves from the extended position  160  to the retracted position  150 . In this way, the outer tip  112  prevents jump back or further manipulation of the magnetic components or objects by the user (e.g., wiping off, etc.) during placement. 
     It is contemplated for examples described herein to extend to individual elements and concepts described herein, independently of other concepts, ideas or systems, as well as for examples to include combinations of elements recited anywhere in this application. Although examples are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the concepts are not limited to those precise examples. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the concepts be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an example can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other examples, even if the other features and examples make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the absence of describing combinations should not preclude having rights to such combinations.