PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10074469-B2
Application Number: US-201615174833-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Magnetic materials polarized at an oblique angle

Abstract:
An oblique angle polarized magnet includes a rectangular magnetized permanent magnet having a grain direction, an attraction surface, and a magnetic primary field line that is orthogonal to the grain direction but non-orthogonal to the attraction surface. The oblique angle polarized magnet may be used in a magnetically positioned apparatus, such as a tablet computing device cover operable as a stand for the tablet computing device. The magnetically positioned apparatus may be configured to assume a position where first and second magnets are oriented in a non-parallel orientation such that the first and second surfaces of the magnets oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The magnets may facilitate the position.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A magnetically positioned apparatus utilizing magnets to maintain a configuration, comprising:
 a first magnet, comprising:
 a first surface; and 
 a first magnetic material having a first grain direction that defines a non-right, non-zero angle with respect to the first surface; and 
 a second magnet, comprising a second magnetic material having a second surface; 
 wherein the magnetically positioned apparatus is configured to assume a position where the first and second magnets are oriented in a non-parallel orientation such that the first and second surfaces are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other; and the first and second magnets facilitate the position. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second magnetic material has a second grain direction that is orthogonal to the second surface. 
     
     
       3. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first magnet defines a primary field line; and 
 the first magnet emits magnetic flux along the primary field line and at an oblique angle to the first surface. 
 
     
     
       4. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the primary field line is oriented at approximately a 90 degree angle from the second surface when the magnetically positioned apparatus is in the position. 
     
     
       5. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second magnetic material has a second grain direction defining a non-right, non-zero angle with respect to the second surface. 
     
     
       6. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetically positioned apparatus comprises a cover for an electronic device. 
     
     
       7. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the cover is coupleable to the electronic device. 
     
     
       8. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the cover further comprises
 a first housing portion; and 
 a second housing portion; 
 wherein the first magnet is attached to the first housing portion; the second magnet is attached to the second housing portion; and the first and second housing portions are oriented in a non-parallel orientation when the cover is in the position. 
 
     
     
       9. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cover is operable as a stand for the electronic device when in the position. 
     
     
       10. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the cover further comprises a third housing portion flexibly coupled to the second housing portion; 
 the first housing portion is flexibly coupled to the second housing portion; and 
 the first housing portion, the second housing portion, and the third housing portion form a triangle when the cover is in the position. 
 
     
     
       11. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first magnet is embedded in the first housing portion. 
     
     
       12. A permanent magnet, comprising:
 magnetic material having:
 a set of grains generally extending in a direction; and 
 an attraction surface defined by a substantially flat exterior surface of the permanent magnet; wherein 
 a magnetic primary field line extends, in the direction, through the magnetic material; and 
 
 the direction is offset from the attraction surface by a non-right, non-zero angle. 
 
     
     
       13. The permanent magnet of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic material is a non-cubic parallelepiped. 
     
     
       14. The permanent magnet of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic material includes at least one of neodymium, iron, or boron. 
     
     
       15. The permanent magnet of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic material is non-square. 
     
     
       16. The permanent magnet of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic material is enclosed in a housing. 
     
     
       17. A magnetically positioned apparatus utilizing magnets to maintain a configuration, comprising:
 a cover for a tablet computing device, comprising:
 a first cover portion; 
 a second cover portion; and 
 a joint between the first cover portion and second cover portion; 
 
 a first magnet positioned in the first cover portion and defining a surface; and 
 a second magnet, positioned in the second cover portion; wherein 
 the cover is configured to bend at the joint; and 
 a magnetic field line between the first magnet and second magnet extends at a non-right angle from the surface of the first magnet. 
 
     
     
       18. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein a grain direction of the first magnet defines a non-right angle with respect to the surface of the first magnet. 
     
     
       19. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the joint is a first joint; 
 the cover further comprises:
 a third cover portion; and 
 a second joint connecting the second cover portion and third cover portion; and 
 
 the first joint connects the first cover portion and third cover portion. 
 
     
     
       20. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the third cover portion is devoid of magnets. 
     
     
       21. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the second magnet defines a grain direction orthogonal to a surface of the second magnet. 
     
     
       22. The magnetically positioned apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the cover is operable to couple to the tablet computing device.

Description:
FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to magnets. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to magnets that are oblique angle polarized. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Magnets are used in a variety of different devices to perform a variety of different functions. Magnets may be used to attach elements, position elements, align elements, and/or to accomplish a variety of other purposes. 
     In general, magnets have a magnetic primary field line that is orthogonal to their geometry. In other words, the magnetic primary field line is orthogonal to an attraction surface of the magnet. When the magnet is positioned parallel to and facing the attraction surface of another magnet, the two magnets efficiently attract each other. 
     For example, two halves of a magnetic clasp may include two orthogonal polarized magnets that have facing parallel attraction surfaces when the two halves touch. Attraction between the magnets may operate to keep the magnetic clasp closed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to oblique angle polarized magnets that include a rectangular magnetized permanent magnet having a grain direction, an attraction surface, and a magnetic primary field line that is orthogonal to the grain direction but non-orthogonal to the attraction surface. An oblique angle polarized magnet may be used in a magnetically positioned apparatus. The magnetically positioned apparatus may be configured to assume a position where first and second magnets are oriented in a non-parallel orientation such that the first and second surfaces of the magnets oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The magnets may facilitate the position. 
     In various embodiments, a magnetically positioned apparatus utilizing magnets to maintain a configuration includes a first magnet and a second magnet. The first magnet includes a first surface and a first magnetic material having a first grain direction that defining at a non-right, non-zero angle with respect to the first surface. The second magnet includes a second magnetic material having a second surface. The magnetically positioned apparatus is configured to assume a position where the first and second magnets are oriented in a non-parallel orientation such that the first and second surfaces are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The first and second magnets facilitate the position. 
     In some examples, the second magnetic material has a second grain direction that is orthogonal to the second surface. In various implementations of examples, the first magnet defines a first and second pole and one of the first and second poles emit magnetic flux at an oblique angle to the first surface. The first pole may be oriented at approximately a 90 degree angle from the second surface when the magnetically positioned apparatus is in the position. In numerous examples, the second magnetic material has a second grain direction defining a non-right, non-zero angle with respect to the second surface. 
     In various examples, the magnetically positioned apparatus is a cover for an electronic device. In some implementations of such examples, the cover is coupleable to the electronic device. In numerous examples of such implementations, the cover includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion where the first magnet is attached to the second housing portion, the second magnet is attached to the second housing portion, and the first and second housing portions are oriented in a non-parallel orientation when the cover is in the position. The cover may operable as a stand for the electronic device when in the position. In such examples, the cover may further include a third housing portion flexibly coupled to the second housing portion; the first housing portion may be flexibly coupled to the second housing portion; and the first housing portion, the second housing portion, and the third housing portion may form a triangle when the cover is in the position. The first magnet may be embedded in the first housing portion. 
     In some embodiments, a magnetic element includes a rectangular magnetized permanent magnet having a grain direction, an attraction surface, and a magnetic primary field line parallel to the grain direction and non-orthogonal to the attraction surface. In various examples, the rectangular magnetized permanent magnet is a non-cubic parallelepiped. In numerous examples, the rectangular magnetized permanent magnet includes at least one of neodymium, iron, or boron. In some examples, the rectangular magnetized permanent magnet is non-square. In various examples, the rectangular magnetized permanent magnet is enclosed in a housing. 
     In numerous embodiments, a method for creating a magnetic element includes forming a mass of magnetic material having a grain direction, removing material from the mass to form a structure having an external surface, such that the grain direction is non-orthogonal to the external surface, and magnetizing the structure by subjecting the mass to a magnetic field. The grain direction may be aligned by the magnetic field. 
     In some examples, the method may further include separating the structure into a set of magnets, each of the set defining a respective external surface that is non-orthogonal to the grain direction. The magnetic element may be a non-cubic parallelepiped. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a system including an electronic device and an associated magnetically positioned apparatus. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a first example of the system of  FIG. 1A  showing magnetic primary field lines of magnets included in the magnetically positioned apparatus where one of the magnets is oblique angle polarized. 
         FIG. 1C  depicts a second example of the system of  FIG. 1A  showing magnetic primary field lines of magnets included in the magnetically positioned apparatus where the two magnets are orthogonal polarized. 
         FIG. 1D  depicts a simplified cross-sectional view of the magnetically positioned apparatus of  FIG. 1B , taken along line A-A shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  depicts an example of an oblique angle polarized magnet showing the magnetic primary field line and a simplified magnetic flux flow. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts an example of an orthogonal polarized magnet showing the magnetic primary field line and a simplified magnetic flux flow. 
         FIG. 2C  depicts an elaborated view of the magnetic flux flow of the oblique angle polarized magnet of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a first example operation in a first method of forming a magnetic element, such as an oblique angle polarized magnet, where a mass of magnetic material having a grain direction is formed. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a second example operation in the first method of forming the magnetic element where magnetic material is removed from the mass of magnetic material to form a rectangular shaped mass having an attraction surface that is non-orthogonal to the grain direction. 
         FIG. 3C  depicts a third example operation in the first method of forming the magnetic element where the rectangular shaped mass is magnetized by subjecting the rectangular shaped mass to a strong magnetic field. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flow chart illustrating a second method of forming a magnetic element, such as an oblique angle polarized magnet. The magnetic element may be the magnets/magnetic elements of  FIGS. 1A-1B, 1D, 2A, 2C , and/or  3 A- 3 C. 
         FIG. 5A  depicts a first example operation in a third method of forming a magnetic element, such as an oblique angle polarized magnet, where a mass of magnetic material having a grain direction is magnetized by subjecting the mass to a strong magnetic field. 
         FIG. 5B  depicts a second example operation in the third method of forming the magnetic element where magnetic material is removed from the magnetized mass of magnetic material to form a rectangular shaped mass having an attraction surface that is non-orthogonal to the grain direction. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flow chart illustrating a fourth method of forming a magnetic element, such as an oblique angle polarized magnet. The magnetic element may be the magnets/magnetic elements of  FIGS. 1A-1B, 1D, 2A, 2C, 3A-3C , and/or  5 A- 5 B. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a flow chart illustrating a first method of testing a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. 
         FIG. 8A  depicts a top view of a first example of a testing apparatus used to test a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. 
         FIG. 8B  depicts the first example testing apparatus of  FIG. 8A  after the magnet panel is removed from the magnetic paper. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a flow chart illustrating a second method of testing a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. The method may utilize the testing apparatus of  FIGS. 8A-8B . 
         FIG. 10A  depicts a top view of a second example of a testing apparatus used to test a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. 
         FIG. 10B  depicts a side view of the second example testing apparatus of  FIG. 10A  illustrating the magnetic element having a first polarity orientation. 
         FIG. 10C  depicts a side view of the second example testing apparatus of  FIG. 10A  illustrating the magnetic element having a second polarity orientation. 
         FIG. 10D  depicts a side view of the second example testing apparatus of  FIG. 10A  illustrating the magnetic element having a third polarity orientation. 
         FIG. 10E  depicts a side view of the second example testing apparatus of  FIG. 10A  illustrating the magnetic element having a fourth polarity orientation. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a flow chart illustrating a third method of testing a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. The method may utilize the testing apparatus of  FIGS. 10A-10E . 
         FIG. 12A  depicts a top view of a third example of a testing apparatus used to test a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. 
         FIG. 12B  depicts a side view of the third example testing apparatus of  FIG. 12A  illustrating the magnetic element having a particular polarity orientation. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a flow chart illustrating a fourth method of testing a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. The method may utilize the testing apparatus of  FIGS. 12A-12B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. 
     The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, and apparatuses that embody various elements of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein. 
     The following disclosure relates to oblique angle polarized magnets or other magnetic elements. Such magnets may include a rectangular magnetized permanent magnet having a grain direction, an attraction surface (which may be an exterior surface), and a magnetic primary field line that is orthogonal to the grain direction but non-orthogonal to the attraction surface. The “primary field line” is the line defined by the magnetic field or flux that passes through a center of the magnet&#39;s north and south poles, e.g., that essentially defines a center of the magnet&#39;s magnetic field. With respect to a two-dimensional depiction of a magnetic field, the magnetic field curves in a first direction on a first side of the magnetic field line and a second direction on a second side of the magnetic field line. 
     An oblique angle polarized magnet may be used in a magnetically positioned apparatus, such as a tablet computing device cover operable as a stand for the tablet computing device. The magnetically positioned apparatus may be configured to assume a position where first and second magnets are oriented in a non-parallel orientation such that the first and second surfaces of the magnets oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The magnets may facilitate the position. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1A-13 . 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. 
     Within this disclosure, the term orthogonal refers to of or involving right angles or substantially right angles. For example, within this disclosure, orthogonal involves angles of 90 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees, such as 89.5 degrees. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts a system  100  including an electronic device  102  and an associated magnetically positioned apparatus  101 , which may be coupled to the electronic device  102  via a connector  104  (such as a magnetic clasp). The magnetically positioned apparatus  101  may include an oblique angle polarized magnet that allows the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  to be positioned in a configuration, such as the configuration shown. 
     In this example, the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  includes a number of housing portions  103 A,  103 B,  103 C connected by a number of joints  105 A,  105 B. The joints  105 A,  105 B allow the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  to be manipulated such that the housing portions  103 A,  103 B,  103 C are operable to move with respect to each other. For example, the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  may be manipulated to position the housing portions  103 A,  103 B,  103 C in a triangular arrangement so that the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  is positioned in the configuration shown. Magnets or other magnetic elements embedded within and/or otherwise attached to the housing portions  103 A,  103 B,  103 C may maintain the housing portions  103 A,  103 B,  103 C in the configuration shown or facilitate the position shown. For example, attraction (and/or repulsion in other implementations) between magnets embedded within a first housing portion  103 A and a second housing portion  103 C may facilitate the illustrated non-parallel orientation position shown by bringing the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  toward the position shown, maintaining the first housing portion  103 A and the second housing portion  103 C in the position shown, and so on. The first and second housing portions  103 A,  103 C may be maintained at an angle  106  with respect to each other, shown as an approximately 67.5 degree angle. When the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  is positioned in the configuration shown such that the housing portions  103 A,  103 B,  103 C are arranged in the triangular arrangement, the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  may operate as a stand for the electronic device  102 . 
     The joints  105 A,  105 B also allow the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  to unfold and straighten. This allows the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  to rotate on the connector  104  to be used as a cover for the electronic device  102 . Magnets or other magnetic elements of the housing portions  103 A,  103 B,  103 C may be operable to magnetically attach to the electronic device  102  to facilitate maintenance of the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  in place when operating as a cover for the electronic device  102 . 
       FIG. 1B  depicts a first example of the system  100  of  FIG. 1A  showing magnetic primary field lines  107 A,  107 C of magnets included in the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  where one of the magnets is oblique angle polarized. In this first example, the magnet embedded in the first housing portion  103 A is oblique angle polarized whereas the magnet embedded in the second housing portion  103 C is orthogonal polarized. Thus, the magnetic primary field line  107 A of the magnet included in the first housing portion  103 A is non-orthogonal to the geometry of the magnet, oblique at an angle  108 A (shown as approximately 22 degrees) with respect to the geometry of the magnet and the first housing portion  103 A, whereas the magnetic primary field line  107 C included in the second housing portion  103 C is orthogonal to the geometry of that magnet, substantially perpendicular with respect to the geometry of that magnet and the second housing portion  103 C. 
     Thus, the magnet included in the first housing portion  103 A and the magnet included in the second housing portion  103 C are oriented in a non-parallel orientation while attraction surfaces of the magnets are oriented at an acute angle with respect to one another. Further, the primary field line  107 A of the magnet included in the first housing portion  103 A is at an approximately 89.5 degree angle to the magnetic primary field line  107 C of the magnet included in the second housing portion  103 C (the 67.5 degree angle of the first housing portion  103 A to the second housing portion  103 C plus the 22 degree angle of the primary field line  107 A of the magnet included in the first housing portion  103 A to the first housing portion  103 A). 
     By way of contrast with the first example of the system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1C  depicts a second example of the system  100  of  FIG. 1A  showing magnetic primary field lines  107 A,  107 C of magnets included in the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  where the two magnets are orthogonal polarized. As such, both magnetic primary field lines  107 A,  107 C are orthogonal to the geometry of the respective magnet, substantially perpendicular with respect to the geometry of the respective magnet and the respective housing portion  103 A,  103 C. 
     Regardless, the first example of the system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1B  is configured such that the magnetic primary field lines  107 A,  107 C are aligned approximately parallel (and the angles  106  and  108 A combine to approximately 90 degrees) when the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  is positioned in the configuration whereas the second example of the system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1C  is configured such that the magnetic primary field lines  107 A,  107 C are misaligned (and the angles  106  and  108 A combine to well over 90, approximately 180, degrees). As the polarities of the magnets of the first and second housing portions  103 A,  103 C are opposite, aligning the magnetic primary field lines  107 A,  107 C approximately parallel positions the magnets at the maximum possible attraction between the respective magnetic fields. By way of contrast, the misaligned magnetic primary field lines  107 A,  107 C of the second example of the system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1C  positions the magnets such that very little of the magnetic fields are able to attract each other. As a result, the system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1C  makes less efficient use of the magnetic fields and substantially stronger magnets would need to be used in order to maintain the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  in the configuration. 
     Thus, use of oblique angle polarized magnets or other magnetic elements frees device configuration and design from concerns regarding geometry and orientation of magnets by freeing magnetic primary field lines  107 A,  107 C from such geometry and orientation. This may enable use of smaller magnets, as the magnets may be used more efficiently in non-parallel facing orientations, freeing up more space in devices for non-magnet components. 
       FIG. 1D  depicts a simplified cross-sectional view of the magnetically positioned apparatus  101  of  FIG. 1B , taken along line A-A shown in  FIG. 1A . A first magnet  109 A is embedded in the first housing portion  103 A and a second magnet  109 C is embedded in the second housing portion  103 C. The first magnet  109 A is a non-cubic parallelepiped that is rectangular in cross-section and has a length  112 A, a width  113 A, a magnetic primary field line  107 A, a grain direction  110 A, and an attraction surface  111 A. The magnetic primary field line  107 A is aligned with the grain direction  110 A, both of which are non-orthogonal to the length  112 A and the attraction surface  111 A. Similarly, the second magnet  109 C is a rectangular parallelepiped and has a length  112 C, a width  113 C, a magnetic primary field line  107 C, a grain direction  110 C, and an attraction surface  111 C. Similar to that of the first magnet  109 A, the magnetic primary field line  107 C is aligned with the grain direction  110 C. Contrasted with those of the first magnet  109 A, the magnetic primary field line  107 C and the grain direction  110 C are both orthogonal to the length  112 C and the attraction surface  111 C. 
     Although  FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate and describe use of an oblique polarized magnet with a particular magnetically positioned apparatus  101 , it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, various numbers of oblique polarized magnets may be used in a variety of different devices and/or alone without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, oblique angle polarized magnets may be included in the band of a wearable device such as a smart watch to facilitate positioning and/or maintaining the band in a circular or other configuration when not currently being worn by a user. Various arrangements are possible and contemplated. 
     Further, although the electronic device  102  is depicted as a tablet computing device, it is understood that this is an example. The magnetically positioned apparatus  101  and/or another device that uses oblique angle polarized magnets may be used with or without a variety of different electronic devices. Such electronic devices  102  may include, but are not limited to, laptop computing devices, desktop computing devices, mobile computing devices, smart phones, wearable electronic devices, digital media players, displays, printers, cellular telephones, and so on. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts an example of an oblique angle polarized magnet  209 A showing the magnetic primary field line  207 A and a simplified magnetic flux flow  214 A. The grain direction of the oblique angle polarized magnet  209 A is parallel to the magnetic primary field line  207 A. By way of contrast,  FIG. 2B  depicts an example of an orthogonal polarized magnet  209 C showing the magnetic primary field line  207 C and a simplified magnetic flux flow  214 C. The grain direction of the orthogonal polarized magnet  209 C is parallel to the magnetic primary field line  207 C. As shown, the magnetic primary field line  207 A and the magnetic flux flow  214 A are non-orthogonal with respect to the illustrated length and width of the oblique angle polarized magnet  209 A. Thus, the simplified magnetic flux flow  214 A flows through a middle portion of the oblique angle polarized magnet  209 A on one side and outside of the oblique angle polarized magnet  209 A on the other. By way of contrast, the magnetic primary field line  207 C and the magnetic flux flow  214 C are orthogonal with respect to the illustrated length and width (e.g., parallel to the illustrated length and perpendicular to the illustrated width) of the orthogonal polarized magnet  209 C. Thus, the simplified magnetic flux flow  214 C flows through the ends of the orthogonal polarized magnet  209 C. 
       FIG. 2C  depicts an elaborated view of the magnetic flux flow  214 A of the oblique angle polarized magnet  209 A of  FIG. 2A . In this elaborated view, the magnetic flux flow  214 A of the oblique angle polarized magnet  209 A is very different from a traditional orthogonal polarized magnet. As shown, the magnetic flux flow  214 A flows in various field directions in different regions, flowing through the center of the oblique angle polarized magnet  209 A and crossing the magnetic primary field line  207 A. 
     Oblique angle polarized magnets or other magnetic elements may be formed in a variety of ways.  FIG. 3A  depicts a first example operation in a first method of forming a magnetic element, such as an oblique angle polarized magnet, where a mass of magnetic material  317  having a grain direction  310  is formed. The mass of magnetic material  317  may be formed by placing particles of magnetic material (such as neodymium, iron, boron, and so on) in a mold  315  and compressing and/or heating the particles using a press  316  such that a mass of magnetic material  317  with a grain direction  310  is formed. The grain direction  310  may be formed using magnetic force to line up the particles during compression and/or heating. 
       FIG. 3B  depicts a second example operation in the first method of forming the magnetic element where magnetic material is removed from the mass of magnetic material  317  to form a rectangular shaped mass  309  having an attraction surface that is non-orthogonal to the grain direction  310 . A tool  318 , such as a cutting or grinding tool  318 , may be used to remove material from the mass of magnetic material  317  to form the rectangular shaped mass  309 . However, this is an example. Any process that removes material to form the rectangular shaped mass  309  from the mass of magnetic material  317  (such as cutting, grinding, abrading, blasting, laser cutting, etching, and so on) may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3C  depicts a third example operation in the first method of forming the magnetic element where the rectangular shaped mass  309  is magnetized to have a magnetic primary field line that is non-orthogonal to the attraction surface by subjecting the rectangular shaped mass  309  to a strong magnetic field using a magnetic field generating apparatus  319 . The magnetic field generating apparatus  319  may subject the rectangular shaped mass  309  to a strong enough magnetic field that the rectangular shaped mass  309  is permanently magnetized, forming a magnetized rectangular shaped mass  309 . The strong magnetic field may be aligned with the grain direction  310 . However, it is understood that this is an example. In other implementations, the strong magnetic field may not be aligned with the grain direction  310 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a flow chart illustrating a second method  400  of forming a magnetic element, such as an oblique angle polarized magnet. The magnetic element may be the magnets/magnetic elements of  FIGS. 1A-1B, 1D, 2A, 2C , and/or  3 A- 3 C. 
     At  410 , a mass of magnetic material is formed. The mass may be formed by various processes. Such processes may include melting magnetic materials in a vacuum, allowing the melted magnetic materials to cool and solidify, grinding the magnetic materials into powder, pressing the powdered magnetic materials into a mass while a magnetic force is applied to direct the particles, heating the mass (such as to sinter, anneal, and so on), and so on. 
     At  420 , material is removed from the mass of magnetic material to form a rectangular shaped mass with a grain direction non-orthogonal to an attraction surface. Any number of different cutting, grinding, shaping, and/or other processes may be used. At  430 , the rectangular shaped mass is magnetized to have a magnetic primary field line that is non-orthogonal to the attraction surface. The mass may be magnetized by subjecting the rectangular shaped mass to a magnetic field. Further, the mass may be cut, diced, or otherwise separated into individual magnets, each with an external surface (e.g., attraction surface) that is not orthogonal (or parallel) to a grain direction of the magnet. Accordingly, multiple magnets may be formed from a single mass. 
     Although the example method  400  is illustrated and described as including particular operations performed in a particular order, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, various orders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, the method  400  is illustrated and described as forming the mass of magnetic material and then removing material to form the rectangular shaped mass. However, in various implementations, the mass may be formed as the rectangular shaped mass without first forming the mass prior to removing material. 
       FIG. 5A  depicts a first example operation in a third method of forming a magnetic element, such as an oblique angle polarized magnet, where a mass  517  of magnetic material having a grain direction  510  is magnetized by subjecting the mass  517  to a strong magnetic field. The strong magnetic field may be generated by a magnetic field generating apparatus  519 . The strong magnetic field may be aligned with the grain direction  510 . The strong magnetic field may permanently magnetize the mass  517 . 
       FIG. 5B  depicts a second example operation in the third method of forming the magnetic element where magnetic material is removed from the magnetized mass  517  of magnetic material to form a rectangular shaped mass  509  having an attraction surface that is non-orthogonal to the grain direction  510 . The rectangular shaped mass  509  may also have a magnetic primary field line that is non-orthogonal to the grain direction  510 . The material may be removed using a cutting tool  518  and/or any other process that removes material from the mass  517  to form the rectangular shaped mass  509 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a flow chart illustrating a fourth method  600  of forming a magnetic element, such as an oblique angle polarized magnet. The magnetic element may be the magnets/magnetic elements of  FIGS. 1A-1B, 1D, 2A, 2C, 3A-3C , and/or  5 A- 5 B. 
     At  610 , a mass of magnetic material may be formed. The mass may have a grain direction. At  620 , the mass may be magnetized. The mass may be magnetized using a magnetic field aligned with the grain direction. At  630 , material may be removed from the magnetized mass to form a shaped magnetized mass. The removal may involve cutting, grinding, abrading, blasting, laser cutting, etching, and/or any other material removal process. 
     Although the example method  600  is illustrated and described as including particular operations performed in a particular order, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, various orders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, the method  600  illustrates operations  610 - 630  as separate, linearly performed operations. However, in various implementations, the mass may be shaped and magnetized simultaneously. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a flow chart illustrating a first method  700  of testing a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. The method  700  may determine whether or not a magnetic element is oblique angle polarized, the polarization of an oblique angle polarized magnetic element, the angle of oblique angle polarization, the direction of oblique angle polarization, and/or other characteristics of oblique angle polarization. 
     At  710 , a magnetic element may be placed in a testing apparatus. The testing apparatus may be one or more of the testing apparatuses discussed in more detail below and/or one or more other testing apparatuses. 
     At  720 , the testing apparatus may be used to determine whether or not the magnetic element is oblique angle polarized. The testing apparatus may be used to verify the results of a manufacturing process that produces oblique angle polarized magnetic elements. 
     Although the example method  700  is illustrated and described as including particular operations performed in a particular order, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, various orders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, the method  700  is illustrated and described as determining whether or not the magnetic element is oblique angle polarized. However, in some implementations, various characteristics of oblique angle polarization may be evaluated instead of and/or in addition to determining whether or not the magnetic element is oblique angle polarized. Such characteristics may include, but are not limited to, the polarization of an oblique angle polarized magnetic element, the angle of oblique angle polarization, the direction of oblique angle polarization, and so on. 
       FIG. 8A  depicts a top view of a first example of a testing apparatus used to test a magnetic element  822 A- 822 E for oblique angle polarization. In this first example, the testing apparatus is magnetic paper  835  having a reference indicator  821  for aligning a panel  820  that includes magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E and a component  832 , such as a Hall Effect sensor. The reference indicator  821  allows markings on the magnetic paper  835  to be evaluated with respect to where the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E were positioned. 
     Placing the panel  820  on the magnetic paper  835  positions the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E with their attraction surfaces facing the magnetic paper  835 . Magnetic flux from the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E causes shadows or other marks to form on the magnetic paper  835 , similar to a photographic negative. Thus, if the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E are orthogonal polarized, only the area above which the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E were positioned will be shadowed. Conversely, if the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E are oblique angle polarized, an area separated from the area above which the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E were positioned will be shadowed corresponding to the angle of the respective magnetic pole. As such, shadows on the magnetic paper  835  can be evaluated to determine whether the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E are orthogonal polarized or oblique angle polarized, the angle of oblique angle polarization, the direction of oblique angle polarization, and so on. 
       FIG. 8B  depicts the first example testing apparatus of  FIG. 8A  after the panel  820  is removed from the magnetic paper  835 . The shadows  823 A- 823 E correspond to the areas above which the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E were positioned. Further, the shadows  824 A- 824 E extend from the shadows  823 A- 823 E, separated by the non-shadowed areas  825 A- 825 E. These shadows  824 A- 824 E extending from the shadows  823 A- 823 E and separated by the non-shadowed areas  825 A- 825 E indicate that the magnetic elements  822 A- 822 E are oblique angle polarized. Further, the direction that the shadows  824 A- 824 E extend from the shadows  823 A- 823 E indicate the angle and direction of those oblique angle polarizations. 
     Although  FIGS. 8A-8B  are illustrated and described as including a reference indicator  821 , it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, other means and mechanisms may be used to interpret shadows on the magnetic paper  835 . For example, in some implementations, positions may be determined based on the pattern of the shadows without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a flow chart illustrating a second method  900  of testing a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. The method  900  may utilize the testing apparatus of  FIGS. 8A-8B . 
     At  910 , a magnetic element is placed on a magnetic paper. The magnetic element may be placed on the magnetic paper in an alignment position. Such an alignment position may be referenced to determine how shadows on the magnetic paper relate to where the magnetic element was placed. At  920 , the magnetic element is removed from the magnetic paper. 
     At  930 , the magnetic paper is analyzed. The magnetic paper may be analyzed for side shadows. Presence of side shadows may indicate that the magnetic element is oblique angle polarized. Conversely, absence of side shadows may indicate that the magnetic element is orthogonal polarized. 
     Although the example method  900  is illustrated and described as including particular operations performed in a particular order, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, various orders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, in various implementations, the area, direction, and/or position of side shadows may also be analyzed. These characteristics of side shadows may indicate the polarity, angle, and/or direction of the oblique angle polarization. 
       FIG. 10A  depicts a top view of a second example of a testing apparatus used to test a magnetic element  1022  for oblique angle polarization.  FIGS. 10B-10E  depict side views of the example testing apparatus of  FIG. 10A . With reference to  FIGS. 10A-10E , in this example, the testing apparatus includes a panel  1020  of magnetic elements  1022  and a testing magnet  1028 , having a magnetic primary field line  1029  orthogonal to its attraction surface, positioned on a base  1026 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 10B-10E , the testing magnet  1028  is positioned under a side (shown as side  1031  as opposed to side  1030 ) of the attraction surfaces of one of the magnetic elements  1022 . 
     In this example, the testing magnet  1028  will attract the magnetic element  1022  if the magnetic element  1022  is configured with the magnetic primary field line  1027 B illustrated in  FIG. 10C  (though the testing magnet  1028  will neither attract nor repel the magnetic element  1022  if moved adjacent the side  1030 ). If the magnetic element  1022  is configured with the magnetic primary field line  1027 A illustrated in  FIG. 10B , the magnetic element  1022  and the testing magnet  1028  will repel (though the testing magnet  1028  will neither attract nor repel the magnetic element  1022  if moved adjacent the side  1030 ). If the magnetic element  1022  is configured with the magnetic primary field line  1027 C illustrated in  FIG. 10D , the testing magnet  1028  will be too far from the magnetic field of the magnetic element  1022 , needing to be positioned adjacent to the side  1030  instead of the side  1031 , to repel. Conversely, if the magnetic element  1022  is configured with the magnetic primary field line  1027 D illustrated in  FIG. 10E , the testing magnet  1028  will be too far from the magnetic field of the magnetic element  1022 , needing to be positioned adjacent to the side  1030  instead of the side  1031 , to attract. In this way, the testing apparatus can be used to position the testing magnet  1028  adjacent to the sides  1030  and/or  1031  to determine that the magnetic element  1022  is oblique angle polarized, the polarization of the magnetic element  1022 , and/or other information. 
       FIG. 11  depicts a flow chart illustrating a third method  1100  of testing a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. The method  1100  may utilize the testing apparatus of  FIGS. 10A-10E . 
     At  1110 , a testing magnet is positioned adjacent to a side of an attraction surface of a magnetic element. The magnetic element may be positioned on a panel or other apparatus and the testing magnet may be coupled to a base or other apparatus such that the testing magnet is positionable with respect to the magnetic element. 
     At  1120 , it is determined whether or not the testing magnet attracts the attraction surface. The testing magnet may attract the attraction surface of the magnetic element if the magnetic element is obliquely polarized opposite the polarization of the testing magnet in a direction extending away from the testing magnet. Whether or not the testing magnet repels the attraction surface and/or whether or not the testing magnet neither attracts nor repels the attraction surface may also be determined. 
     At  1130 , the polarity of the magnetic element is determined based on the attraction determination. Other information regarding the magnetic element may also be determined, such as whether or not the magnetic element is oblique angle polarized, the angle of polarization, the direction of polarization, and so on. 
     Although the example method  1100  is illustrated and described as including particular operations performed in a particular order, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, various orders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, in various implementations, the testing magnet may also be positioned adjacent to another side of the attraction surface. The operation  1120  may then be repeated. In such an implementation, the determination at operation  1130  may utilize both sets of determinations. 
       FIG. 12A  depicts a top view of a third example of a testing apparatus used to test a magnetic element  1222 A- 1222 E for oblique angle polarization. In this third example, the testing apparatus includes at least two Hall Effect sensors  1233 A- 1233 E,  1234 A- 1234 E variously positioned about magnetic elements  1222 A- 1222 E of a panel  1220  or other apparatus.  FIG. 12B  depicts a side view of the third example testing apparatus of  FIG. 12A  illustrating the magnetic element  1222 E having a particular polarity orientation  1223 E. With reference to  FIGS. 12A-12B , the Hall Effect sensors  1233 E,  1234 E will be influenced differently by the particular polarity orientation  1223 E of the magnetic element  1222 E due to differing proximities to the oblique angle polarized magnetic field of the magnetic element  1222 E. As such, signals from the Hall Effect sensors  1233 E,  1234 E may be evaluated and compared to determine that the magnetic element  1222 E is oblique angle polarized, the angle of the magnetic primary field line of the magnetic element  1222 E, the direction of the oblique angle polarization of the magnetic element  1222 E, and/or other characteristics of the magnetic element  1222 E. 
     Although  FIG. 12B  illustrates use of two Hall Effect sensors  1233 E,  1234 E for testing the magnetic element  1222 E, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, other numbers of Hall Effect sensors  1233 E,  1234 E may be used. In some implementations, three, four, or more Hall Effect sensors  1233 E,  1234 E may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 13  depicts a flow chart illustrating a fourth method  1300  of testing a magnetic element for oblique angle polarization. The method  1300  may utilize the testing apparatus of  FIGS. 12A-12B . 
     At  1310 , Hall effect sensors are arranged at positions adjacent a magnetic element. The Hall Effect sensors may be positioned at opposing sides of the magnetic element. At  1320 , data from the Hall Effect sensors is evaluated. The data from the respective Hall Effect sensors may be compared. 
     At  1330 , information about the magnetic element is determined based on the evaluation. The information may include whether the magnetic element is oblique angle polarized or not, the angle of the magnetic primary field line of the magnetic element, the direction of the oblique angle polarization of the magnetic element, and/or other characteristics of the magnetic element. 
     Although the example method  1300  is illustrated and described as including particular operations performed in a particular order, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, various orders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, the example method  1300  is illustrated and described as determining information regarding a single magnetic element using the Hall Effect sensors. However, in various implementations, the same Hall Effect sensors may be utilized to simultaneously evaluate multiple magnetic elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As described above and illustrated in the accompanying figures, the present disclosure relates to oblique angle polarized magnets or other magnetic elements. Such magnets may include a rectangular magnetized permanent magnet having a grain direction, an attraction surface, and a magnetic primary field line that is orthogonal to the grain direction but non-orthogonal to the attraction surface. An oblique angle polarized magnet may be used in a magnetically positioned apparatus, such as a tablet computing device cover operable as a stand for the tablet computing device. The magnetically positioned apparatus may be configured to assume a position where first and second magnets are oriented in a non-parallel orientation such that the first and second surfaces of the magnets oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The magnets may facilitate the position. 
     In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented as sets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are examples of sample approaches. In other embodiments, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the disclosed subject matter. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 
     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.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160606
Publication Date: 20180911
Grant Date: 20180911
Priority Date: 20160606
Inventors: SCALES, Timothy W.
ZHU, HAO
SMITH, SAMUEL G.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01F41/0253", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F7/021", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F13/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F13/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F7/021", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F41/0253", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F7/021", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 60483421