Abstract:
Some embodiments can include a retention mechanism having a first component including a first clasping surface and a first magnet having a first polarity as well as a second component having a second clasping surface configured to be alignable to and to coordinate with the first clasping surface. The second component can have a magnetic assembly having an effective polarity that varies in accordance with a electric current pulse received at the magnetic assembly, where a magnetic circuit is formed between the first magnet and the magnetic assembly, and where when the effective polarity of the magnetic assembly is the first polarity, the magnetic circuit is repulsive causing the first and second clasping surfaces to separate otherwise, the magnetic circuit is attractive causing the clasping surfaces to come together.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/234,005, entitled “MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED RESTRAINING MECHANISMS” filed Sep. 28, 2015, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The following disclosure relates to magnetic clamping or locking mechanisms. In particular, the following disclosure relates to mechanism utilizing permanent-electromagnetic magnets as an actuator for locking or clamping. These mechanisms can be used in electronic devices themselves and/or goods associated with electronic devices such as clothing, bags, cases etc. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Magnets are used in consumer products and in particular, electronic devices, in many ways to enhance a user experience. By way of example, magnets can be used to hold a lid of a laptop shut, to connect a case to an electronic device, or for retaining a device charger to an electronic device among numerous other applications. With the ubiquity of electronic devices, using magnets in a greater number of applications is a growing consideration and the ability to control magnetization of a magnet when desired can lead to a greater number of desirable applications. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Some embodiments can include a retention mechanism having a first component including a first clasping surface and a first magnet having a first polarity as well as a second component having a second clasping surface configured to be alignable to and to coordinate with the first clasping surface. The second component can have a magnetic assembly having an effective polarity that varies in accordance with a electric current pulse received at the magnetic assembly, where a magnetic circuit is formed between the first magnet and the magnetic assembly, and where, when the effective polarity of the magnetic assembly is the first polarity, the magnetic circuit is repulsive causing the first and second clasping surfaces to separate, otherwise, the magnetic circuit is attractive causing the clasping surfaces to come together. 
         [0005]    Some embodiments can include a method performed by a retaining mechanism, the retaining mechanism having a first component including a first clasping surface and a first magnet having a first polarity as well as a second component including a second clasping surface configured to be alignable to and to coordinate with the first clasping surface. The second component can include a magnetic assembly having an effective polarity that varies in accordance with an electric current pulse received at the magnetic assembly, wherein a magnetic circuit is formed between the first magnet and the magnetic assembly. The method can include receiving, at the magnetic assembly, a pulse of an electric charge from a power source and switching the effective polarity of the magnetic assembly, where when the effective polarity of the magnetic assembly is the first polarity, the magnetic circuit is repulsive causing the first and second clasping surfaces to separate, otherwise, the magnetic circuit is attractive causing the clasping surfaces to come together. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly is an electro-permanent magnet. In some embodiments, the first clasping surface and the second clasping surface are configured to mechanically lock with each other. In some embodiments, the second component further comprises a base and a clasping arm extending from the base to the clasping surface, the first magnet being arranged within the clasping arm. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the second component further comprises a second magnet having a second polarity, the second magnet being arranged in the base where a magnetic circuit is formed between the second magnet and the magnetic assembly, and where when the effective polarity of the magnetic assembly is the second polarity, the magnetic circuit is repulsive causing the first component and the second component to repel each other, otherwise, the magnetic circuit is attractive causing the first component and the second component to attract each together. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments the second component further comprises a second clasping arm extending from the base to a second clasping surface configured to be alignable to and to coordinate with a second clasping surface and a third magnet having the first polarity being arranged within the second clasping arm. In some embodiments the clasping arms are formed of a flexible material. In some embodiments the clasping arms are hinged to the base. 
         [0009]    Some embodiments can include an electronic device including a first component having a first retention surface, a first magnet having a first polarity, and a second magnet having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. The electronic device can have a second component including a second retention surface configured to be alignable to and to coordinate with the first retention surface and a third magnet having a third polarity and located at a first position. The second component can include a magnetic assembly having an effective polarity that varies in accordance with an electric current pulse received at the magnetic assembly, where a magnetic circuit is formed between the third magnet and the magnetic assembly, and where, when the effective polarity of the magnetic assembly is the third polarity, the magnetic circuit is repulsive causing the third magnet to actuate to a second position causing the first retention surface to separate from the second retention surface, otherwise, the magnetic circuit is attractive maintaining the second magnet in the first position causing the first retention and the second retention surface to come together. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly is an electro-permanent magnet. In some embodiments, the first polarity is the third polarity. In some embodiments, the second polarity is the third polarity. In some embodiments, the first component is a laptop lid and the second component is a laptop base. In some embodiments, the third magnet moves laterally within the laptop base. 
         [0011]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    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: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic of an electro-permanent magnet actuated clasping mechanism shown in a first un-locked state in accordance with the described embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic of an electro-permanent magnet actuated clasping mechanism shown in  FIG. 1  in a locked state; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows an electronic device utilizing an electro-permanent magnet actuated restraining mechanism in accordance with the described embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  a schematic of one embodiment of the an electro-permanent magnet actuated restraining mechanism utilized in the electronic device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method performed by a retaining mechanism in accordance with the described embodiments; and, 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an electronic device suitable for use with the described embodiments. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
         [0022]    The following disclosure relates to magnetically controlled retaining mechanisms. Described embodiments can be used in electronic devices and consumer products associate with electronic devices such as cases, backpacks, briefcases, covers, clothing and wearables among numerous other products where an electric charge can be provided to the retaining mechanism. The described embodiments utilize electro-permanent magnets to activate the retention mechanisms in the described embodiments. 
         [0023]    Traditional electro magnets are magnets that use electrical power to provide a magnetic force. Electro magnets require a continuous power draw to keep the magnet force turned on. As electronic devices and associated goods and accessories become smaller and smaller and the desirability for longer battery life becomes greater and greater, minimizing power draw is a major consideration in developing such devices and goods. Electro-permanent magnets can be turned on and off without requiring a continuous power draw. Polarity of an electro-permanent magnet can also be switched or reversed without requiring a continuous power draw. Electro-permanent magnets can sometimes include a soft magnet and a hard magnet. A hard magnet is a magnet where the magnetism cannot be changed or is difficult to change. A soft magnet is a magnet were the magnetism can be changed or is easily changed. The ability to switch magnetism of a magnet is referred to as its coercivity. Hard magnets have low coercivity and soft magnets have high coercivity. One way the magnetism of a soft magnet can be changed is by arranging it in a coil and pulsing the magnet with an electric charge. Pulsing the magnet with the electric charge can switch the polarity of the soft magnet. By coupling a soft magnet with a hard magnet, the polarity of the magnet combination can be controlled or the magnet can be turned on and off. 
         [0024]    For example, when the polarity of the soft magnet is the same as the hard magnet, for instance both magnets have a positive polarity, the sum of polarities creates a net positive polarity of the magnet combination. Pulsing the magnet combination can cause the soft magnet to change polarity to negative, but the hard magnet will maintain its positive polarity given that the hard magnet resists changing polarity. If the strength of the magnetic field of each magnet is equal, the soft and hard magnet will create a magnetic loop, essentially cancelling each other out and a net zero magnetism will be emitted from the magnet combination, effectively turning the magnet combination off. By configuring an electro-permanent magnet as described the electro-permanent magnet can be turned on and off, or its polarity can be switched, merely by pulsing the magnet with the eclectic charge when desired. 
         [0025]    The ability to turn on or off, or reverse the polarity of an electro-permanent magnet, can be used in a variety of ways. Some applications for using electro-permanent magnets can include actuating clasping or locking mechanisms in accordance with the described embodiments. For example, one such clasping mechanism can be a buckle, such as a seat-belt buckle, backpack buckle, belt buckle or the like. Clasping mechanisms can also include zippers. Electro-permanent magnets can be arranged in the buckle clasp and/or a retention portion of the buckle. Depending on how the electro-permanent magnets are arranged, when the electro-permanent magnets are turned on or off, they can repel or attract the magnets arranged in the flexible clasping tabs of a buckle clasp to release or lock with the retention portion of the buckle. In this way, by controlling the electro-permanent magnets, the locking or unlocking of the buckle clasps can be controlled. In addition, magnets can be arranged in the buckle clasp base portion to coordinate with electro-permanent magnets in the retention portion to repel or attract the two portions depending on the polarity of the electro-permanent magnet. In this way, by activating or switching polarity of the electro-permanent magnet, the clasp portion and retention portion can selectively be pulled together or pushed apart. In some embodiments, the controlling of the locking in combination with the controlled pulling and pushing of the clasp and retention portions can result in the buckle self-buckling or self unbuckling merely by providing an electric charge to the electro permanent magnet. 
         [0026]    In some exemplary embodiments, electro-permanent magnets can be used in electronic devices, for example, for locking a laptop lid closed or for pushing a laptop lid open. For instance, a laptop base and laptop lid can have coordinating clasping and retaining portions that can be actuated by electro-permanent magnets to lock or unlock the lid to the base. Alternatively, a magnet can be arranged in the lid of a laptop. An additional electro-permanent magnet can be arranged in a laptop base to align with the magnet in the lid. To lock the laptop lid, the electro-permanent magnets can be magnetized such that the magnet in the lid is attracted to the electro-permanent magnet in the base, thus holding the lid closed to the base using magnetic force. The electro-permanent magnet can be switched to an opposite polarity so that the magnet in the lid is repelled upward by the electro-permanent magnet in the base, causing the lid to pop open. Alternatively an arrangement of magnets can be configured in the lid or base of a laptop and the electro-permanent can be used to repel or attract other magnets into a locking or unlocking position. 
         [0027]    In some exemplary embodiments, electro-permanent magnets can be used to connect a cover to an electronic device or to locate end magnets in a foldable cover to a predetermined location on the cover. Electro-permanent magnets can be arranged in a mobile electronic device for example, such as a smartphone or tablet as well as in a coordinating case. The electro-permanent magnets can be activated, turned on or off, or reversed to retain the case to the mobile electronic device. In some embodiments the electro-permanent magnets can be arranged to activate locking and or clasping mechanisms on the case and/or mobile electronic device to secure the device. In some embodiments the electro-permanent magnets can be used in a wearable electronic device. 
         [0028]    In some exemplary embodiments, electro-permanent magnets can be used in the engaging portions of a zipper on a piece of clothing, bag, or case for example. Electro-permanent magnets can be arranged in the components such that a zipper tab can be propelled by electromagnets. In some embodiments, electro-permanent magnets can be used as an actuator in mechanism that otherwise are maintained in a state of equilibrium. The actuator can be part of a locking, clasping or retaining mechanism having larger magnets configured in a static state. The electro-permanent magnet trigger can push the large magnets out of equilibrium forcing a locking, clasping or retaining mechanism to lock or release. The embodiments described are exemplary of numerous other potential embodiments, which can include self-closing and self opening zippers, watch bands, belt buckles, etc. 
         [0029]    These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic of a clasping mechanism  100  shown in an unlocked position in accordance with the described embodiments. The clasping mechanism  100  can have a retention component  104  that is configured to coordinate with and engage with a clasping component  102 . The clasping component  102  can have a base  106  where a base magnet  108  can be arranged. The clasping component can have clasping arms  110  extending from base  106 . The clasping arms  110  can be moveable. The clasping arms  110  can take the form of a pivotable mechanism, such as being hinged to the base  106 , or can be formed of a flexible material such as plastic, that is able to bend or flex. The clasping arms  110  can include arm magnets  112 . The arm magnets  112  and the base magnet  108  can take the form of a hard magnet having a low coercivity, which means the polarity of the magnet is difficult to change and thus the polarity of the magnet stays substantially permanent. Hard magnets (or magnets with low coercivity) can also be referred to as permanent magnets. The clasping arms  110  can have clasping tabs  114  at the ends of the clasping arms  110  for engaging locking tabs  116  of retention component  104 . Retention component  104  can include an electro-permanent magnet (“EPM”)  118  arranged centrally to the retention component  104 . The EPM  118  can be an electro-permanent magnet where the polarity of the EPM  118  be changed in response to an electrical charge pulse. In some embodiments the EPM  118  can have zero polarity, in effect turning the EPM  118  off. Polarities, P 1  and P 2  can be opposite each other. Here, the EPM  118  is configured as shown and, for example, that its polarity is such that the EPM  118  P 1  (which can be a South polarity for purpose of this discussion) is at an end nearest where the retention component  104  would engage with the clasping component  102 . The arm magnets  112  are each configured such that the P 1  polarity of arm magnets  112  is nearest the EPM  118 . In this configuration, arm magnets  112  are attracted toward the EPM  118 , and the clasping tabs  114 , do not engage locking tabs  116 . Additionally, given the polarity of EPM  118  in this condition, the EPM  118  repels base magnet  108 , located in base  106 , and thus pushes the clasping component  102  away from retention component  104 , eliminating the need to pull the components away from each other with additional force. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic of a clasping mechanism  100  shown in a locked position in accordance with the described embodiments. The polarity of the EPM  118  can be reversed by receiving an electrical charge pulse from power source (not shown). The pulse can be initiated in any number of ways including by a touch input on a button, touchscreen or electronic device input such as a mouse or keyboard and so on. The input can alternatively be automatically initiated by software running on a processor or an electronic device. When the polarity of the EPM  118  is reversed, the EPM  118  attracts base magnet  108 . As it does so, the EPM  118  simultaneously repels arm magnets  112  such that clasping arm  110  causes clasping tabs  114  to engage locking tabs  116 . In this way, the clasping mechanism  100  can lock, without the need for continuous power draw. Un-locking the clasping mechanism  100  merely requires receiving another electrical charge pulse from the power source, switching the polarity of the EPM  118 , which will attract arm magnets  112  pulling clasping arms  110 , causing clasping tabs  114  to disengage from locking tabs  116 . The EPM  118  will also repel base magnet  108  and thus push clasping component  102  from retention component  104 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of an en electronic device  360  utilizing an embodiment of clasping mechanism in accordance with the described embodiment. In some embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the electronic device  360  is a portable electronic device, such as a laptop. In other embodiments, the electronic device  360  can be a wearable, smartphone, tablet or the like. Electronic device  360  may include a housing  362  formed from a rigid material, such as a metal (including stainless steel or aluminum). The electronic device  360  may include a display module  364  designed to display visual content. In some embodiments, the display module  364  is a light-emitting diode (“LED”) display. Further, in some embodiments, the display module  364  is an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display. The electronic device  360  may include input features  366  electrically coupled with one or more processors (not shown), and designed to control the display module  364 . The electronic device  360  can have a retention portion  304  configured in a lid  368 . The electronic device  360  can have restraining component  302  arranged in a base  370 . Retention portion  304  or restraining component  302  can be arranged at any number of locations so long as retention portion  304  is arranged opposite restraining component  302  and the coordinating components of the electronic device  360  to be retained. In one embodiment, the restraining component  302  can simply be an electro-permanent magnet that can have a polarity selectively switched to be the opposite polarity as magnets that make up retention portion  304 . In this way the respective polarities attract and retain the lid  368  to the base  370 . Restraining component  302  can have a polarity selectively switched to be the same polarity as magnets that make up retention portion  304  thus repelling and popping the lid  368  open and away from base  370 . An alternative embodiment for the retaining and releasing of lid  368  to and from base  370  is further illustrated in  FIG. 4  below. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic configuration for permanent magnet used in conjunction with an electro-permanent magnet for retaining or repelling a lid  468  of an electronic device  360  to or from a base  470  of the electronic device. In a lid closed and locked state, I, the lid  468  can have lid magnets  406  which can be arranged with polarities as shown and where P 1  is an opposite polarity of P 2 . For example, P 1  can be a South polarity and P 2  can be a North polarity or visa versa. The lid magnets  406  can be permanent magnets and are fixed in place in the lid  468 . Opposite lid magnets  406 , base magnet  408  can be arranged in base  470 . Base magnet  408  can have a polarity as shown and is capable of moving laterally. The illustrated polarity maintains the lid  468  locked to the base  470  because the opposing polarities attract each other and the similar polarities repel each other. A driver magnet  420  can be connected to base magnet  408 . Driver magnet  420  can be arranged opposite an electro-permanent magnet (EPM)  418  having a polarity that is the same as driver magnet  420 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in lid opening state II, to force the lid  468  open, an electrical charge pulse can be receive by EPM  418  in one embodiment to switch the polarity of EPM  418 . The switched polarity now causes EPM  418  to repel driver magnet  420 , which in turn pushes base magnet  408  out of a state of equilibrium and into a region where polarity of the base magnet  408  repels lid magnets  406 , causing the lid  468  to pop away from the base  470 . Returning the lid to a retained or locked state is illustrated in a closing state III. A force applied downward on the lid  468 , for example by a user, can be coordinated with a electrical charge pulse received at the EPM  418 , which will cause base magnet  408  to move back to the equilibrium state with respect to the lid magnets  406  causing the lid  468  to be restrained closed. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a flow chart for a method  500  for locking and releasing a clasping mechanism  100  in accordance with the described embodiments. Method  500  can be performed in any order. For example the method  500  can begin with the clasping mechanism  100  in the locked state. Alternatively, the method  500  can begin with the clasping mechanism  100  in the un-locked state. The method  500  can include in  510 , receiving an electric charge at EPM  118 , when the clasping component  102  is locked with the retention component  104 . In  520 , the method  500  can switch the polarity of EPM  118 . In  530 , the method  500  can attract the arm magnets  112 , disengaging clasping tabs  114  while also repelling clasping component  102  to a predetermined distance away from retention component  104 . In  540  method  500  can begin with the unlocking of clasping mechanism  100  by receiving an electric charge at the EPM  118  when the clasping component  102  is arranged within a pre-determined distance of the retention component  104 . In  550 , the method  500  can switch the polarity of EPM  118 . In  560 , the method  500  can attract the clasping component  102  and repel the arm magnets  112  to engage clasping tabs  114 , thus restraining clasping component  102  into retention component  104 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an electronic device  600  suitable for use with the described embodiments. The electronic device  600  illustrates circuitry of a representative computing device. The electronic device  600  includes a processor  602  that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the electronic device  600 . The electronic device  600  stores media data pertaining to media items in a file system  604  and a cache  606 . The file system  604  is, typically, a semiconductor memory, cloud storage, or storage disks or hard drives. The file system  604  typically provides high capacity storage capability for the electronic device  600 . However, since the access time to the file system  604  is relatively slow, the electronic device  600  can also include a cache  606 . The cache  606  is, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache  606  is substantially shorter than for the file system  604 . However, the cache  606  does not have the large storage capacity of the file system  604 . Further, the file system  604 , when active, consumes more power than does the cache  606 . The power consumption is often a concern when the electronic device  600  is a portable media device that is powered by a battery  624 . The electronic device  600  can also include a RAM  620  and a Read-Only Memory (ROM)  622 . The ROM  622  can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM  620  provides volatile data storage, such as for the cache  606 . 
         [0037]    The electronic device  600  also includes a user input device  608  that allows a user of the electronic device  600  to interact with the electronic device  600 . For example, the user input device  608  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Still further, the electronic device  600  includes a display  610  (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor  602  to display information to the user. A data bus  616  can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system  604 , the cache  606 , the processor  602 , and the CODEC  613 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the electronic device  600  serves to store a plurality of media items (e.g., songs, podcasts, etc.) in the file system  604 . When a user desires to have the electronic device play a particular media item, a list of available media items is displayed on the display  610 . Then, using the user input device  608 , a user can select one of the available media items. The processor  602 , upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC)  613 . The CODEC  613  then produces analog output signals for a speaker  614 . The speaker  614  can be a speaker internal to the electronic device  600  or external to the electronic device  600 . For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the electronic device  600  would be considered an external speaker. 
         [0039]    The electronic device  600  also includes a network/bus interface  611  that couples to a data link  612 . The data link  612  allows the electronic device  600  to couple to a host computer or to accessory devices. The data link  612  can be provided over a wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, the network/bus interface  611  can include a wireless transceiver. The media items (media assets) can pertain to one or more different types of media content. In one embodiment, the media items are audio tracks (e.g., songs, audio books, and podcasts). In another embodiment, the media items are images (e.g., photos). However, in other embodiments, the media items can be any combination of audio, graphical or visual content. Sensor  626  can take the form of circuitry for detecting any number of stimuli. For example, sensor  626  can include a Hall Effect sensor responsive to external magnetic field, an audio sensor, a light sensor such as a photometer, and so on. 
         [0040]    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.