Swing apparatus with magnetic drive and controller

Abstract

A swing apparatus includes an arm assembly having a seat and a frame assembly coupled to the arm assembly. The frame assembly defines a pivot axis about which the arm assembly rotates during operation of the swing apparatus. The swing apparatus also includes an electromagnet disposed on the frame assembly and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the arm assembly that are positioned to define an arc centered on the pivot axis. The electromagnet has an angular offset about the pivot axis relative to the plurality of permanent magnets positioned along the arc when the swing apparatus is in a neutral position.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 000743, filed March 27, 2020; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 012999, filed April 21, 2020; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 041172, filed June 19, 2020; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 127575, filed December 18, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Children's rocking devices are designed to provide children with a safe, elevated seating area and the soothing effect of natural pendulum motion. However, traditional rocking devices have various drawbacks. For example, traditional rocking devices are typically powered by DC power and a gearbox. Due to the mechanical operation, gearbox-based rocking devices tend to be noisy, and over time, they tend to become even noisier due to mechanical wear. Gearbox-based rocking devices are also often inefficient in terms of power consumption, and given the variety of different parts (e.g., multiple gears, pins, grease, bearings, and / or similar components), the likelihood of component failure is greater. As a result, gearbox-based rocking devices tend to fail earlier than normal wear and tear is allowed under other conditions.

[0004] As another example, gearbox-based rocking devices also have bulky drive mechanisms due to the mechanical size of the gearbox components, which in turn makes the rocking device heavy and / or interferes with its operation, such as by allowing caregivers to access the rocking device controller, hindering the placement and removal of children from the rocking device, and / or similar situations.

[0005] As yet another example, some traditional rocking devices require caregivers to manually push the device to initiate the movement. This can be problematic when the rocking device requires a significant amount of force from the caregiver to initiate the movement, when the caregiver is unable (e.g., disabled or elderly) to apply the necessary force, and (conversely) when the caregiver may be obviously aggressive, potentially causing harm to the child / user in the rocking device.

[0006] As yet another example, some conventional rocking devices control their rocking motion by estimating when the device passes through the center of the rocking motion and assuming that this is the same position the device is in when it is at rest. However, rocking devices are often placed on uneven surfaces (such as carpets), which can lead to incorrect estimation of the center of the rocking motion (affected by gravity), resulting in unbalanced rocking and / or other performance problems.

[0007] In general, it can be challenging to design a swing apparatus to overcome these issues, as a child swing apparatus must comply with stringent safety and stability (regulatory) standards while providing a satisfactory range and speed of swinging motion. In traditional swing apparatuses, one approach to achieving such stability is to "anchor" the swing apparatus with a fairly large base so that the swing apparatus does not tip over when swung. However, such a fairly large base can cause problems with packaging, assembly, and is not suitable for small dwellings such as apartments and flats.

[0008] Some traditional swing apparatuses employ magnetic drives to overcome some of these issues, particularly those related to the fragility of the gear box design. However, these traditional magnetic swings also tend to have bulky drives, often due to at least some of the magnetic components (e.g., permanent magnets and / or electromagnets) being placed away from the axis of the swinging motion, e.g., on or adjacent to the seat of the swing apparatus itself. The spacing from the axis of rotation places high demands on the size, strength, and / or power consumption (for electromagnets) of the magnets. Additionally, some traditional magnetic swing apparatuses still require the user to manually push the swing apparatus to initiate motion. SUMMARY

[0009] The presently disclosed inventive embodiments are directed to a swing apparatus having a magnetic drive that utilizes an array of permanent magnets and an electromagnet oriented between the permanent magnets. In various aspects, the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus according to the presently disclosed invention is advantageously located near the pivot axis of the swing arm of the swing apparatus, thereby providing a compact, lightweight, powerful, and significantly energy-efficient drive that can be self-initiated from an intermediate, stationary position. The presently disclosed magnetic drive has relatively few parts than the mechanical drive mechanisms of traditional swing apparatuses (e.g., employing a DC motor and a gear box or having magnetic components proximate or directly coupled to the seat of the swing apparatus), and generally is capable of providing less noise, higher energy efficiency, and more reliable operation.

[0010] In some aspects, the swing apparatus includes a magnetic drive having an electromagnet and a plurality of permanent magnets. The swing apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the electromagnet that activates the electromagnet by applying an activation current having a polarity selectable from a first polarity and a second polarity to initiate motion of at least a portion of the swing apparatus. The controller is configured to: Al) apply the activation current having one of the first polarity and the second polarity; A2) determine whether at least a portion of the swing apparatus has moved by at least a predetermined amount; A3) if, after a predetermined period of time, at least a portion of the swing apparatus has not moved by at least the predetermined amount, switch the polarity of the activation current to the other of the first polarity and the second polarity; and A4) repeat A2) and A3) until at least a portion of the swing apparatus is determined to have moved by at least the predetermined amount in A2).

[0011] In some aspects, the swing apparatus includes an electromagnet and a plurality of permanent magnets positioned proximate the electromagnet such that a magnetic force is generated between the electromagnet and each of the plurality of permanent magnets when the electromagnet is electrically activated. The swing apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the electromagnet to electrically activate the electromagnet to initiate a swinging motion of the swing apparatus without manual intervention by a user of the swing apparatus.

[0012] The swing apparatus includes a controller for controlling movement of at least a portion of the swing apparatus, and a plurality of optical sensors coupled to the controller. The plurality of optical sensors includes a first light source for emitting a first light beam propagating along a first optical path, and a first detector spaced apart from the first light source and disposed in the first optical path to detect the first light beam. The plurality of optical sensors also includes a second light source for emitting a second light beam along a second optical path that is substantially parallel to the first optical path and offset from the first optical path by a separation distance. The plurality of optical sensors also includes a second detector spaced apart from the second light source and disposed in the second optical path to detect the second light beam. The swing apparatus also includes an optical encoder strip disposed in the first optical path and the second optical path to facilitate detection of movement of the at least a portion of the swing apparatus.

[0013] In some aspects, the swing apparatus includes a controller for controlling movement of at least a portion of the swing apparatus, and a plurality of optical sensors coupled to the controller. The plurality of optical sensors includes a first light source for emitting a first light beam propagating along a first optical path, and a first detector spaced apart from the first light source and disposed in the first optical path to detect the first light beam. The plurality of optical sensors also includes a second light source for emitting a second light beam along a second optical path that is substantially parallel to the first optical path and offset from the first optical path by a separation distance. The plurality of optical sensors also includes a second detector spaced apart from the second light source and disposed in the second optical path to detect the second light beam. The swing apparatus also includes a slotted strip disposed in the first optical path and the second optical path to facilitate detection of movement of the at least a portion of the swing apparatus based on alternately blocking and unblocking the first light beam and the second light beam. The slotted strip includes a plurality of optically transparent slots and a plurality of light breaks respectively disposed between successive ones of the plurality of optically transparent slots.

[0014] In some aspects, the swing apparatus includes an arm assembly having a seat, and a frame assembly coupled to the arm assembly and defining a pivot axis about which the arm assembly rotates during operation of the swing apparatus. The swing apparatus also includes an electromagnet disposed on the frame assembly, and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the arm assembly that are positioned to define an arc centered on the pivot axis. The electromagnet has an angular offset about the pivot axis relative to the plurality of permanent magnets positioned along the arc when the swing apparatus is in an intermediate position.

[0015] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes an arm assembly having a seat and a frame assembly coupled to the arm assembly and defining a pivot axis about which the arm assembly rotates during operation of the swing apparatus. The swing apparatus also includes an electromagnet disposed on the frame assembly and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the arm assembly, the plurality of permanent magnets positioned to define an arc centered on the pivot axis. When the swing apparatus is in a neutral position, the electromagnet and the plurality of permanent magnets are disposed on a first side of the pivot axis and the seat is disposed on a second side of the pivot axis.

[0016] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes an arm assembly having a seat and a frame assembly coupled to the arm assembly and defining a pivot axis about which the arm assembly rotates during operation of the swing apparatus. The swing apparatus also includes a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the arm assembly, the plurality of permanent magnets positioned to define an arc centered on the pivot axis, wherein a linear distance between each permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets and the pivot axis is at most about 0.5 inches to about 5 inches. The swing apparatus also includes an electromagnet disposed on the frame assembly.

[0017] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes an arm assembly having a seat and a frame assembly coupled to the arm assembly and defining a pivot axis about which the arm assembly rotates during operation of the swing apparatus. The swing apparatus also includes a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the arm assembly, the plurality of permanent magnets positioned to define an arc centered on the pivot axis. The swing apparatus also includes an electromagnet disposed on the frame assembly, wherein a linear distance between the electromagnet and the pivot axis is at most about 1 inch to about 6 inches.

[0018] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes an electromagnet and a plurality of permanent magnets positioned proximate to the electromagnet so as to generate a magnetic force when the electromagnet is electrically activated to control a swinging motion of at least a portion of the swing apparatus. When in magnetic alignment during operation of the swing apparatus, a separation gap between the electromagnet and a first permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets is less than or equal to 0.15 inches.

[0019] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes an arm assembly including a hub, a swing arm coupled to the hub, and a seat coupled to the swing arm. The swing apparatus also includes a frame assembly coupled to the hub, the frame assembly including a frame arm, the frame assembly defining a pivot axis about which the hub rotates during operation of the swing apparatus. The swing apparatus also includes an electromagnet disposed on the frame assembly and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the hub, the plurality of permanent magnets positioned to define an arc centered on the pivot axis. The swing apparatus also includes a housing enclosing the electromagnet and the plurality of permanent magnets.

[0020] In some aspects, the swing apparatus includes a controller to determine when at least a portion of the swing apparatus changes direction during a swinging motion without detecting when the portion of the swing apparatus passes an intermediate position of the swinging motion.

[0021] In some aspects, the swing apparatus includes a panel having a surface and including a dial to facilitate user input to specify a degree of swinging motion of at least a portion of the swing apparatus during use. The surface defines an aperture and a recess within the aperture, the dial being disposed in the recess. The swing apparatus further includes a controller communicably coupled to the dial to control the swinging motion based on the user input.

[0022] In some aspects, a kit includes components for assembly into a swing apparatus. The kit includes a first component that in turn includes a frame assembly, a magnetic drive coupled to the frame assembly, and a power delivery circuit to couple an external power source to the magnetic drive. The kit further includes a second component that includes a swing arm configured for coupling to the magnetic drive. The kit further includes a third component that includes a seat configured for coupling to the swing arm. The power delivery circuit is entirely contained in the first component.

[0023] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes an arm assembly having a seat and a frame assembly to support the swing apparatus on a ground surface during operation of the swing apparatus. The frame assembly is coupled to the arm assembly and defines a pivot axis about which the arm assembly swings during operation of the swing apparatus. The pivot axis forms an angle of about 15 degrees to about 45 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane parallel to the ground surface. The swing apparatus further includes a drive disposed about the pivot axis to control swinging motion of the arm assembly about the pivot axis during operation of the swing apparatus.

[0024] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes a base to rest on a generally horizontal ground surface during operation of the swing apparatus, the base defining a vertical footprint of the base member on the ground surface. The swing apparatus further includes a frame assembly including a frame arm coupled to a lower portion of the base, the lower portion of the frame arm extending upwardly from the base and being inclined with respect to a vertical direction such that the lower portion of the frame arm is distanced from and located outside of the vertical footprint of the base. The swing apparatus further includes a swing arm assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the swing arm assembly including a seat to hold a child during operation of the swing apparatus.

[0025] In some aspects, a swing includes a base that rests on a ground surface during operation of the swing, the base having an outer periphery that is curved in shape. The swing also includes an arm assembly including a swing arm and a rotatable seat coupled to the swing arm to hold a child during operation of the swing, the rotatable seat having an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the ground surface. The swing further includes a frame assembly coupled to the arm assembly and the base, the frame assembly defining a pivot axis about which the arm assembly swings during operation of the swing. The rotatable seat is positioned on the arm assembly such that a combined center of gravity of the swing and an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) disposed in the seat is laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable seat by less than 1 inch.

[0026] In some aspects, a swing includes a base that rests on a horizontal surface during use, the base defining a vertical footprint. The swing also includes a frame assembly including a frame arm defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of the frame arm being coupled to the base via a stem and being tilted at an angle relative to the vertical footprint at an interconnection point such that the lower portion of the frame arm is outside of the vertical footprint. The swing further includes a swing arm assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the swing arm assembly including a seat for holding a child during use. In which the lower portion and the upper portion collectively define a curvature such that the upper portion of the frame arm intrudes into the vertical footprint.

[0027] In some aspects, a swing includes a base member that rests on a horizontal surface during use, the base member defining a vertical footprint. The swing also includes a frame assembly including a frame arm defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of the frame arm being coupled to the base member via a stem and being tilted at an angle relative to the vertical footprint at an interconnection point such that the lower portion of the frame arm is outside of the vertical footprint. The swing further includes a drive coupled to the upper portion, wherein at least a portion of the drive is within the vertical footprint. The swing also includes a swing arm assembly coupled to the drive, the swing arm assembly including a seat for holding a child during use.

[0028] In some aspects, a swing includes a frame assembly and a hub rotatably coupled to the frame assembly at a pivot axis. The swing also includes a seat and a swing arm, a first end of the swing arm being attached to the seat. A second end of the swing arm is attached to the hub such that rotation of the hub relative to the frame assembly about the pivot axis causes the swing arm and the seat to rotate. The swing further includes at least one permanent magnet disposed on one of the frame assembly and the hub, and at least one electromagnet disposed on the other of the frame assembly and the hub. The at least one electromagnet and the at least one permanent magnet are configured to exert a magnetic force on each other such that the hub rotates relative to the frame assembly about the pivot axis.

[0029] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes an arm assembly having a seat and a frame assembly coupled to the arm assembly, the frame assembly defining a pivot axis about which the arm assembly rotates during operation of the swing apparatus. The swing apparatus also includes at least one permanent magnet disposed on one of the arm assembly and the frame assembly, positioned to define an arc centered on the pivot axis. The swing apparatus also includes an electromagnet disposed on the other of the arm assembly and the frame assembly. The at least one permanent magnet is arranged to have opposite polarities facing the electromagnet. The swing apparatus is configured such that when the arm assembly is in a neutral position and the electromagnet is electrically activated, an attractive magnetic force and a repulsive magnetic force are simultaneously generated between the electromagnet and the at least one permanent magnet.

[0030] In some aspects, a swing apparatus includes an arm assembly having a seat and a frame assembly coupled to the arm assembly, the frame assembly defining a pivot axis about which the arm assembly rotates during operation of the swing apparatus. The swing apparatus also includes at least one permanent magnet disposed on one of the arm assembly and the frame assembly, positioned to define an arc centered on the pivot axis. The swing apparatus also includes an electromagnet disposed on the other of the arm assembly and the frame assembly. The at least one permanent magnet is arranged to have opposite polarities facing the electromagnet. The swing apparatus is configured such that when the arm assembly is in a neutral position and the electromagnet is electrically activated, an attractive magnetic force and a repulsive magnetic force are simultaneously generated between the electromagnet and the at least one permanent magnet.

[0031] All combinations of the above-concept and additional concepts discussed in more detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. Also, variations to the disclosed inventive subject matter can occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the description herein. The foregoing described aspects and features are merely illustrative of the principles of this application and numerous changes can be made to the application by one skilled in the art, without departing from the scope thereof, which is best described in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are primarily for illustration of the principles of the inventive subject matter described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter to the arrangements and configurations specifically depicted. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale; in some instances, various aspects of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein can be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the figures deposited with the USPTO for patentability purposes. Similarly, like reference numerals in the figures are generally used to refer to like elements (e.g., elements having similar and / or related function and / or structure).

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swing apparatus of the present invention according to one example embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a swing apparatus of the present invention according to one example embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view of a swing apparatus of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a swing apparatus of the present invention according to one example embodiment. FIG. 1Enlarged view of the housing of the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus and the controller.

[0036] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus. FIG. 1 Enlarged cutaway view of the housing of the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus and the controller.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus. FIG. 1 Enlarged perspective view of the portion of the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus that is coupled to the swing arm.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus. FIG. 4 Enlarged front view of the portion of the magnetic drive.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus. FIG. 1 Enlarged side perspective view of the portion of the magnetic drive of the swing apparatus that is coupled to the frame arm and holds one or more electromagnets.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the magnetic drive. FIG. 6 Enlarged top perspective view of the portion of the magnetic drive shown.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows the portion of the magnetic drive that is coupled to the swing arm, showing the location of the optical sensor.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the optical sensor shown. FIG. 8 Enlarged view of the optical sensor shown, also showing a slot encoder that can move between the light source and the detector of the optical sensor.

[0043] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the slot encoder shown. FIG. 9

[0044] is an enlarged view of the optical sensor shown. FIG. 11 FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the magnetic drive with the housing removed, where the magnetic drive includes two permanent magnets and one electromagnet.

[0045] FIG. 12 is a front view of the magnetic drive shown in a neutral / rest position.

[0046] FIG. 13 FIG. 12 is a front view of the magnetic drive shown with the swing arm rotated to the left to maximum deflection / maximum swing angle.

[0047] FIG. 14 is a front view of the magnetic drive shown with the swing arm rotated to the right to maximum deflection / maximum swing angle. FIG. 13

[0048] FIG. 15 is​​​FIG. 13 The enlarged front view of the magnetic actuator is shown, with the rocker arm rotated to the right to its maximum deflection / maximum swing angle when viewed facing the rocking seat.

[0049] FIG. 16 Another magnetic actuator for a swinging device is shown, which includes three permanent magnets and two electromagnets.

[0050] FIG. 17 It shows FIG. 16 The magnetic actuator, in which the rocker arm rotates to the left to the maximum deflection / maximum swing angle.

[0051] FIG. 18 It shows FIG. 16 The magnetic actuator, in which the rocker arm rotates to the right to the maximum deflection / maximum swing angle.

[0052] FIG. 19 Another magnetic actuator for a swinging device is shown, which includes a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.

[0053] FIG. 20A It shows FIG. 19 The magnetic actuator, in which the polarity of the permanent magnet and the electromagnet causes the rocker arm to deflect to the left.

[0054] FIG. 20B It shows FIG. 19 The magnetic actuator, in which the rocker arm rotates to the left to the maximum deflection / maximum swing angle.

[0055] FIG. 20C It shows FIG. 19 The magnetic actuator, in which the polarity of the permanent magnet and the electromagnet causes the rocker arm to deflect to the right.

[0056] FIG. 20D It shows FIG. 19 The magnetic actuator, in which the rocker arm rotates to the right to the maximum deflection / maximum swing angle.

[0057] FIG. 21A A circuit block diagram is shown, including a controller for controlling the operation of a rocking device with a magnetic actuator.

[0058] FIG. 21B A method for operating a swinging device using a magnetic actuator is shown.

[0059] FIG. 21C It shows FIGS. 8-11 The example operation of the dual optical sensors shown includes the detection of changes in the swing direction.

[0060] FIG. 21D An example control loop of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is shown for controlling the operation of a magnetic actuator of a rocking device.

[0061] FIG. 22A A gliding rocker is shown including a magnetic drive.

[0062] FIG. 22B A gliding rocker is shown FIG. 22A in side view.

[0063] FIG. 23A A gliding rocker is shown FIG. 22A in perspective view, including an exploded cutaway view of a portion including the magnetic drive to show internal details.

[0064] FIG. 23B A gliding rocker is shown FIG. 22A in enlarged view of the magnetic drive.

[0065] FIG. 24A A gliding rocker is shown FIGS. 1-2 in side view, and further showing a 15° orientation of the rocker arm relative to a horizontal reference line / plane.

[0066] FIG. 24B A gliding rocker is shown FIGS. 1-2 in side view, and further showing a 30° orientation of the rocker arm relative to a horizontal reference line / plane.

[0067] FIG. 24C A gliding rocker is shown FIGS. 1-2 in side view, and further showing a 45° orientation of the rocker arm relative to a horizontal reference line / plane.

[0068] FIG. 25A A gliding rocker is shown with a removable independent seat, wherein the seat is removed from the rest of the gliding rocker.

[0069] FIG. 25B A gliding rocker is shown FIG. 25A with the seat coupled to the rest of the gliding rocker.

[0070] FIG. 25C A gliding rocker is shown FIG. 25A in exploded perspective view of the seat, with the soft goods removed to show structural details.

[0071] FIG. 25D A gliding rocker is shown FIG. 25C with the toy bar, rocker arm, and seat base further removed to show structural details.

[0072] FIG. 26A A gliding rocker is shown FIG. 25A in cross-section of the latching mechanism of the removable seat.

[0073] FIG. 26B is FIG. 26A an enlarged view of the latching mechanism of

[0074] FIG. 26C is FIG. 26A an enlarged view of the latching mechanism of

[0075] FIG. 27A shows an example air gap between a permanent magnet and an electromagnet for a rocking device of FIG. 1

[0076] FIG. 27B shows another example air gap between a permanent magnet and an electromagnet for a rocking device of FIG. 1

[0077] FIG. 28 shows a permanent magnet with a curved surface when used with any of the rocking devices disclosed herein.

[0078] FIG. 29 shows a permanent magnet with a different surface design when used with a rocking device of FIG. 1

[0079] FIG. 30 is an image of a permanent magnet with a removable metal cover formed as a curved surface.

[0080] FIG. 31A shows a side view of a general rocking device with a magnetic drive.

[0081] FIG. 31B shows a perspective view of a rocking device of FIG. 31A

[0082] FIG. 32 shows an enlarged view of the motor shown in FIG. 31A

[0083] FIG. 33A shows an example motor for a rocking device of FIG. 31A

[0084] FIG. 33B shows an example motor for a rocking device of FIG. 31A

[0085] FIG. 33C shows an example motor for a rocking device of FIG. 31A

[0086] FIG. 33D shows an example motor for a rocking device of FIG. 31A ​​​​​​​​An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure having six permanent magnets and six electromagnets.

[0087] FIG. 33E An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 31A An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure having four permanent magnets and four electromagnets.

[0088] FIG. 33F An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 31A An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure having two permanent magnets and one electromagnet.

[0089] FIG. 34A An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 31A An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure having two permanent magnets and one electromagnet.

[0090] FIG. 34B An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 34A An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown.

[0091] FIG. 34C An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 34A An example motor for a swing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown.

[0092] FIG. 35A is a front perspective view of a user interface panel of a swing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] FIG. 35B is a side perspective view of a user interface panel of FIG. 35A

[0094] is a bottom perspective view of a user interface panel of FIG. 35C FIG. 35A is a top perspective view of a user interface panel of

[0095] FIG. 35D FIG. 35A is a front view of a user interface panel of

[0096] FIG. 35E is a side view of a user interface panel of FIG. 35A

[0097] is a top view of a user interface panel of FIG. 35F FIG. 35A is a front view of a user interface panel of

[0098] FIG. 35G FIG. 35A is a top view of a user interface panel of

[0099] FIG. 36A A connection between a swing frame arm and a base member of a swing apparatus disclosed herein is shown.

[0100] FIG. 36B A connection between a swing frame arm and a base member of a swing apparatus disclosed herein is shown. FIG. 36A ​​​​Another view of the connector of

[0101] FIG. 36C is FIG. 36A Another view of the connector of

[0102] FIG. 36D Details of the rod and base member of the connector shown are illustrated. FIGS. 36A-36C Details of the rod and base member of the connector shown are illustrated.

[0103] FIG. 36E Another view of the base member is illustrated and a cutout for receiving the handle is shown.

[0104] FIG. 36F Welding areas for securing the handle to the base member are illustrated.

[0105] FIG. 36G Bolts for securing the frame arms to the handle prior to insertion are illustrated.

[0106] FIG. 36H A cutaway view of the connector shown is illustrated and details of the connector formed between the frame arms, handle, and base member are shown. FIGS. 36A-36C A cutaway view of the connector shown is illustrated and details of the connector formed between the frame arms, handle, and base member are shown.

[0107] FIG. 37 A side view of the connector of FIG. 2 is illustrated and reference is made to other aspects of the swing set. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] The following is a more detailed description of various concepts and embodiments related to a swing set having a magnetic drive and controller. It should be appreciated that the various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below can be implemented in any of numerous ways. The specific embodiments and examples introduced above are provided by way of illustration only and are not intended to limit the embodiments and alternatives to the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way.

[0109] The accompanying drawings and example embodiments described below are not meant to limit the scope of the present embodiments to a single embodiment. Other embodiments can be realized by a permutation or combination of parts of the described or illustrated elements. Furthermore, if certain elements of the disclosed example embodiments can be implemented using known components, in some instances only those portions of the known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present embodiments have been described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of the known components have been omitted so as not to obscure the present embodiments.

[0110] Aspects of the swing disclosed herein include a compact magnetic drive and controller that allows the swing to self-start without user intervention. The magnetic components of the drive are disposed near the swing axis (also referred to as the pivot axis), thus providing a compact, quiet / noise-free drive design that is minimal in components and suitable for long-term use. Because of the proximity to the axis, the magnetic components can be relatively closer to each other and closer to the axis compared to conventional approaches, which allows for a flexible drive design, i.e., using smaller / weaker magnets to achieve the same swing operation as conventional approaches, or using the same / larger magnets to achieve a greater range of swing motion.

[0111] Aspects of the swing disclosed herein also provide for controlling the swing motion using a dual optical sensing device that can detect changes in the swing direction without needing to detect the center of the swing motion. In this way, swing control is independent of the strict requirement that the swing device be placed on a horizontal surface.

[0112] Aspects of the swing disclosed herein also provide for an improved user interface panel having a recessed dial for controlling swing parameters. The interface panel provides for single-handed operation while protecting the dial and underlying control circuitry from accidental damage due to caregivers bumping into the swing device while moving it, from the swing device tipping over, etc.

[0113] Aspects of the swing disclosed herein also provide for a reduced base footprint with a single-frame arm that rises from the base footprint, thus providing a smaller, material-efficient design that is still structurally sound. The single-frame arm is rigidly connected to the base via a handle to prevent rotational loss during swing motion and is curved to maintain stable operation of the swing device.

[0114] Aspects of the swing disclosed herein also provide for a modular design, thus enabling an average caregiver / user to easily assemble the components. The components are designed / configured such that no electrical assembly (e.g., connecting the power source to the magnetic drive) is required by the caregiver, thus preventing accidental damage to the magnetic drive due to improper / mistaken caregiver operation.

[0115] These and several other advantages of the swing disclosed herein and its respective components will now be further described in detail.

[0116] Swing device

[0117] FIG. 1- Figure 3 illustrates a swing apparatus 10 (sometimes also referred to as a "swinger") that includes a swing frame assembly 12, a swing arm assembly 15, and a magnetic drive 20. The swing frame assembly 12 includes a base / base member 13 that is placed on a surface (e.g., the ground) to provide stability for the movement of the swing arm assembly 15 during use. The base member 13 can have any suitable shape (e.g., oval, ovoid, square with rounded corners, etc.) and cross-sectional area. The shape and / or cross-sectional area can be selected based on factors including, but not limited to: footprint, stability, material of the base member 13 and / or other portions of the apparatus 10, orientation relative to portions of the apparatus 10, orientation relative to the direction of the swing motion, etc.

[0118] The swing frame assembly 12 also includes a frame arm 14 (sometimes also referred to as a "swing frame arm," a "frame support member," and variations thereof) that extends generally upward (i.e., away from the surface / ground on which the apparatus 10 rests or is placed) from the base 13. The frame arm 14 and / or other portions of the swing frame assembly 12 can be composed of any suitable structural component or element, such as, for example, iron pipe, aluminum pipe, and / or the like. In some cases, as shown in Figure 3, the frame arm 14 can have an inherent curvature (i.e., not straight) along its length. This curvature can help reduce the end-to-end length of the frame arm 14, which in turn makes the overall height of the swing apparatus 10 suitable for use by an average adult user / caregiver. The reduction in length also results in a reduction in the material used to manufacture the support member 14, which in turn results in a reduction in weight. In some cases, the frame arm 14 can be flexible, such that the bending of the member 14 without breaking occurs as a user places some weight on the apparatus 10 (e.g., leaning on the housing 21). In some cases, the frame arm 14 can be rigid. In some cases, the frame arm 14 can be hollow and have an elliptical cross-section with the long axis facing the interior of the swing apparatus 10. The wall thickness of the frame arm 14 can be generally selected to balance strength, flexibility, and weight, and can be from about 1.2 mm to about 1.6 mm, including all values and sub-ranges therebetween. FIG. 1 - Figure 3 illustrates a swing apparatus 10 (sometimes also referred to as a "swinger") that includes a swing frame assembly 12, a swing arm assembly 15, and a magnetic drive 20. The swing frame assembly 12 includes a base / base member 13 that is placed on a surface (e.g., the ground) to provide stability for the movement of the swing arm assembly 15 during use. The base member 13 can have any suitable shape (e.g., oval, ovoid, square with rounded corners, etc.) and cross-sectional area. The shape and / or cross-sectional area can be selected based on factors including, but not limited to: footprint, stability, material of the base member 13 and / or other portions of the apparatus 10, orientation relative to portions of the apparatus 10, orientation relative to the direction of the swing motion, etc.

[0119] The swivel member 14a is coupled at one end to the frame arm 14 and at the other end to the drive apparatus 20 to mount the drive apparatus 20 to the frame arm 14. In some cases, the swivel member 14a can be integrally formed with the frame arm 14, integrally formed with the drive apparatus 20, or integrally formed with both. The swivel member 14a and the drive 20 can collectively define a pivot axis P— P' about which the swing apparatus rotates, as explained in greater detail herein.

[0120] As FIGS. 24A-24CAs shown, the frame arm 14, the swivel member 14a, or both, can be shaped and / or otherwise configured such that the pivot axis P--P' can be oriented at any suitable angle a1 relative to a horizontal reference line HR. The reference line HR can generally be parallel to the floor or surface on which the device 10 is placed. FIG. 24A The device 10 is shown with a1 being about 15°. FIG. 24B The device 10 is shown with a1 being about 30°. FIG. 24C The device 10 is shown with a1 being about 45°. Generally, the angle a1 can be selected based on factors such as the desired natural frequency and / or half-period of the rocking motion, where a relatively larger value of a1 can provide a slower motion than a relatively smaller value of a1. Another factor can be the experience of the child in the seat 18 (also sometimes referred to as a "seat frame," described in detail below) in the rocking motion, where a relatively larger value of a1 can result in the child experiencing more of a gliding or swaying motion, while a relatively lower a1 value can result in the child experiencing more of a pendulum-like motion.

[0121] Also as FIGS. 24A-24C As shown, the user interface panel 22 can define an interface panel II' (shown here in a side view), which in turn defines an interface angle g relative to the pivot axis P--P'. The interface angle g can generally be selected so that an adult caregiver (generally taller than the rocking device 10) can conveniently view and interact with the user interface panel 22. The interface angle g can be about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, or greater, including all values and sub-ranges therebetween.

[0122] Referring again to FIG. 1 - Figure 3, the rocking arm assembly 15 that supports or holds (e.g., in a suspended state) the seat / seat frame 18 during use includes a hub 16 that is mounted for pivotal motion about the pivot axis P--P'. FIG. 3A Also shown is a pivot plane PP that includes the pivot axis P--P'. The pivot plane PP can be a plane that passes through the pivot axis, and can be generally perpendicular to the floor or surface on which the device 10 is placed. In particular, the hub 16 is mounted to, coupled to, and / or otherwise attached to the pivot axis shaft 19 (shown in FIG. 4The pivot axis rod shaft 19 is carried by the frame arm 14 in a manner that allows rotation about the pivot axis in a manner that is most clear in FIG. 1. For example, the hub 16 can be rigidly mounted on the pivot axis rod shaft 19, which is rotatably coupled to one end of the frame arm 14 via a ball bearing (not shown) such that the hub 16 and rod shaft 19 can rotate about the pivot axis P— P’. As shown, the hub 16 can protrude outside the housing 21, for example, through an opening formed in the housing 21. In this way, during assembly of the swing 10, a caregiver can easily couple the swing arm 17 to the magnetic drive without compromising the integrity of the housing and drive.

[0123] The swing arm 17 is coupled to the hub 16 outside the housing 21 and protrudes downwardly (i.e., toward the base member 13) from the hub 16, curves toward the middle of the device 10, and then (optionally, as shown) curves upwardly to be coupled to the seat frame 18. Regarding FIGS. 25A-25D 、 FIGS. 26A-26C The coupling between the swing arm 17 and the seat 18 is explained in more detail. The seat frame 18 can house any suitable hard and / or soft material (not shown) to form a seat for a child to sit on. The swing arm 17 and the seat frame 18 depend from the hub 16, so the swing arm 17 and the seat frame 18 can pivot / rotate back and forth about the pivot axis rod shaft 19 and the pivot axis P— P’ in an arcuate, circular, and / or generally pendulum-like motion from the left direction L to the right direction R, as best shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 The back and forth motion (also referred to as a swing motion, a swing back and forth motion, a pendulum motion, and / or variations thereof) can characterize a swing angle a between the pivot axis P— P’ and the L direction, and correspondingly, a swing angle a between the pivot axis P— P’ and the R direction. It should be understood that the swing angle a can be different for the L and R directions, for example, when the device 10 is not on a horizontal plane and has a tilt, such that the extent of the swing motion in one direction can be different than the other. The swing angle a can be from about 2 degrees to about 20 degrees, including all values and subranges therebetween. The maximum swing angle a during use can be predetermined, specified by a caregiver, limited by the mechanical design of the device 10, limited by the weight of the infant in the seat 18, and / or the like.

[0124] The housing 21 of the swing 10 can be shaped and sized to cover the magnetic drive mechanism and the moving parts of the swing arm assembly 15. FIG. 3A 、 FIG. 3BA user interface panel 22 is shown coupled to or integral with the housing 21, which includes a set of controls 23. The controls 23 can include preset application or function selection buttons / switches 24, such as, for example, a swing amplitude controller (i.e., the extent or range that the swing apparatus rotates from its middle or rest position), music, natural sounds, volume control, lighting (e.g., a not shown night light disposed on the hub or seat frame 18 that can shine onto a child positioned in the swing apparatus 10 during use), and / or the like. The controls 23 also include a dial 25 for selecting a parameter for the selected function. When the user selects the swing amplitude controller from the switches 24, the dial 25 can then be used to select one of a plurality of preset values (sometimes also referred to as set points) for the swing angle a. For example, the user can select a representative value from 1 to 6, where a value of 1 corresponds to a swing angle a of 3 degrees, a value of 2 corresponds to a swing angle a of 6 degrees, a value of 3 corresponds to a swing angle a of 9 degrees, a value of 4 corresponds to a swing angle a of 12 degrees, a value of 5 corresponds to a swing angle a of 15 degrees, and a value of 6 corresponds to a swing angle a of 18 degrees. The size and resolution of the swing angle available to the user can be based on a number of factors, including but not limited to child safety considerations, the resolution of swing motion detection (i.e., by the optical sensor shown in FIG. 2), and / or the like. In some cases, the user can program and / or otherwise directly specify and set the swing angle a during use. FIGS. 8-11

[0125] Rotating and pushing / clicking the dial 25 allows the user / caregiver to switch and select the apparatus parameter to be adjusted. For example, when the volume application is selected, rotating the dial 25 allows adjustment to the desired music volume, and so on. The lighting can include a visual indicator 26 (e.g., a light panel of a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs)) that provides a visual indication of the predetermined setting of the swing amplitude, information about the selected range for each selected function, and / or the like. FIG. 3B A circuit board 29 is also shown on which the controls 23 and a speaker (for playing music, ins (inserts) and / or other sounds, not shown) are disposed. The panel 22 includes an opening 28 formed in front of the speaker to allow music and / or sound transmission to the user. FIG. 3A , FIG. 3B The panel 22 in FIG. 2 shows that the dial 25 is projected from the surface 22a of the panel 22, which facilitates user positioning and control.

[0126] FIGS. 35A-35G ​Another panel design is shown in which the user panel 3522 is coupled to the housing 3521 and includes a selection button 3524 (e.g., similar to button 24), a light panel 3526 (e.g., similar to visual indicator 26), and a dial 3525. Unlike the protruding dial 25, the dial 3525 is recessed from the surface 3522a into a hole, cavity, or pocket 3530 of the surface 3522a, such that the surface 3522a includes a recessed portion 3535. The depth of the recessed portion 3535 from the surface 3522b can be about 0.25 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.5 inches, or greater, including all values and subranges therebetween. The size and position of the dial 3525 can be such that it is flush with the surface 3522a, not protruding relative to the surface 3522a, minimally protruding relative to the surface 3522a, or protruding to some extent beyond the surface 3522a (e.g., see FIG. 35B , 35F , 35G). In some cases, the surface 3522a has a curvature at least near the dial 3525, and the surface of the dial 3525 can also be curved to follow that curvature. As shown in FIGS. 35A-35G , the selection button 3524 and the light panel 3526 can also be provided to be flush with the surface 3522a, not protruding relative to the surface 3522a, minimally protruding relative to the surface 3522a (e.g., the user feels like a notch), or protruding to some extent relative to the surface 3522a. The user can engage with the button 3524 by pressing it down, or can engage with the dial 3525 by inserting their finger into the cavity 3530 to grasp the sides of the dial 3525. In the design of FIGS. 35A-35G , the button 3524 and / or the dial 3525 are minimized in the likelihood of being pressed or even damaged due to accidental tipping, jostling, brushing up against environmental factors, etc. during unpacking and / or assembly, thereby reducing the likelihood of the swing device or certain features of the device being partially or completely inoperable. When the button 3524 and the dial 3525 are physically coupled to the circuit board (as shown in FIG. 3B , the flush design can also prevent or minimize misalignment and / or damage to the underlying circuit board, which can also result in certain or all functions of the swing device being inoperable.

[0127] Referring again to the view of FIG. 3B , the optical sensor 45, the bar 35 (sometimes also referred to as a “slot bar,” “optical encoder bar,” and variations thereof), and the magnetic drive with one electromagnet 51 and two permanent magnets 52, 53 are also shown, all of which will be explained in more detail in the following sections.

[0128] Magnetic Drive

[0129] FIGS. 4-11A magnetic drive 20 (sometimes also referred to as a "magnetic drive mechanism," "drive," and variations thereof) of the swing apparatus 10 is shown. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 An arrangement and configuration of a swing arm portion 30 of the magnetic drive 20, i.e., components of the magnetic drive 20 that are directly or indirectly coupled to the swing arm 17, is shown. Generally, these components of the swing arm portion 30 can experience some form of motion (linear, rotational, and / or the like) during the swing motion. The pivot axis rod shaft 19 is held in place while allowing rotation through a frame arm portion 40 of the magnetic drive 20, i.e., components of the magnetic drive that are directly or indirectly coupled to the frame arm 14 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 ). Generally, these components of the frame arm portion 40 can be static during the swing motion. The pivot axis rod shaft 19 can also rotatably support the swing arm assembly 15 through longitudinally spaced bearings 27, which can be mounted on an electromagnet or electromagnet support 151 that holds the electromagnets 51 in place. The swing arm portion 30 houses permanent magnets 52, 53 in an arc AR PM about a rotational axis P--P' with each permanent magnet 52 and 53 having a different angular spacing relative to a pivot plane PP. However, as explained in greater detail in FIGS. 31-34, any suitable number of permanent magnets can be used. The permanent magnets 52, 53 are disposed on a permanent magnet support 152, which in turn is coupled to the hub 16 and swing arm 17.

[0130] FIG. 5 For the illustrated example dual permanent magnet layout, the angular spacing of the magnets 52, 53 about the pivot axis P--P' relative to the pivot plane PP (e.g., based on a geometric center, a center of mass, and / or other predetermined point of the magnets) can be substantially similar to the maximum swing angle a. The permanent magnets 52, 53 can be formed of ceramic ferrite. However, the permanent magnets 52, 53 can alternatively be manufactured of neodymium or other equivalent materials.

[0131] Each permanent magnet 52, 53 defines a north pole and a south pole, and the magnets 52, 53 can be arranged such that they are oriented with alternating magnetic poles (sometimes also referred to as polarities) facing the pivot axis rod shaft 19. For example, the north pole of the magnet 52 (as shown) can face away from the rod shaft 19, and its south pole faces the rod shaft 19. The south pole of the magnet 53 (as shown) can face away from the rod shaft 19, and its north pole faces the rod shaft 19. Alternatively, the permanent magnets 52, 53 can be arranged with the polarities in reverse of the manner of the above-described example.

[0132] The frame arm portion 40 can be fixed to an upper end of the upright frame support 14, e.g., to one end of the swivel member 14a or the frame arm 14 itself. The frame arm portion 40 supports, is coupled to, and / or otherwise includes the electromagnet 51, although any suitable temporary magnet that can be controllably switched in its poles can be used. The electromagnet 51 can be controlled (e.g., by a controller such as the controller 2102, as explained in more detail in FIGS. 21A-21D , to define two switchable poles, i.e., a north pole and a south pole, and oriented such that one of the switchable poles faces and the other of the switchable poles faces away from the pivot axis rod shaft 19 and the magnets 52, 53.

[0133] As shown in FIGS. 8-11 , the optical sensor 45 is fixedly secured to the frame arm portion 40 and communicatively coupled with the controller 2102. The optical sensor 45 is in optical coupling and / or engagement with the slot bar 35, which is fixedly secured to the swing arm portion 30 during use. The optical sensor 45 includes sensor mounts 46, 47 having respective sensing beams 46a, 47a, and can be centered about the pivot axis P--P', i.e., the plane PP can pass through the optical sensor 45, as shown in FIG. 7 . For example, each mount 46, 47 can include a light emitting diode (LED, not shown) that emits its sensing beam 46a, 47a, which can be detected by a photodetector (e.g., a photodiode) disposed on the mount opposite its respective LED. The LEDs can emit the beams 46a, 47a continuously during use, which can be continuously detected by the photodetectors. While collimated beams are shown here, it will be appreciated that the beams 46a, 47a can exhibit some degree of convergence and / or divergence, i.e., be conical in shape. As explained in more detail herein, the use of two sensing beams 46a, 47a can be used to detect changes in the swing direction. Further, the combination of each LED and its respective photodetector can be considered an optical sensor, such that the optical sensor 45 includes a pair of optical sensors as shown, and can generally include any suitable number of LED-photodetector pairs as optical sensors.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 10 , the slot bar 35 (also sometimes referred to as an “encoder,” an “optical encoder,” an “optical bar,” an “encoder bar,” and variants thereof) includes a slot 36 and a body portion 37. As shown, the slot bar 35 is in a generally curved form and defines a curvature / arc AR SSThe slot strip 35 can include about 6 to 20 slots (reference numeral 36), including all values and subranges therebetween. At about 1 degree swing angle to about 3 degrees swing angle or greater, including all values and subranges therebetween, at the pivot axis P— P’. The center-to-center spacing C s --C s (see FIG. 10 ) can be from about 0.15 inches, about 0.21 inches, about 0.3 inches, about 0.4 inches to about 0.5 inches, including all values and subranges therebetween. The slots 36 can be formed as cutouts in the strip 35. In some cases, the slots 36 can include a thin film, window, and / or other layer disposed thereon that is substantially optically transparent at the wavelengths of the sensing beams 46a, 47a. Conversely, the body portion 37 can be composed of any suitable material that is optically opaque to the wavelengths of the sensing beams 46a, 47a. The curvature of the strip 35 and the spacing C s --C s can be selected such that the angular spacing between the centers of adjacent slots (i.e., based on the angle at which adjacent slots open at the pivot axis P— P’) can be between about 1 degree to about 3 degrees, including all values and subranges therebetween. The number of slots can be selected such that the angular spacing between the first slot and the last slot 36 is at least equal to the maximum allowed swing angle a.

[0135] The optical sensor 45 and the slot strip 35 are positioned relative to one another such that, as the swing arm portion 30 rotates about the P— P’ axis, the slot strip 35 passes through the sensing brackets 46, 47 and engages the sensing beams 46a, 47a. While the slots 36 allow the beams 46a, 47a to pass through them, the body portion 37 blocks this continuity of the beams. In other words, the sensing beams 46a and 47a can be “tripped” by the body portion 37. It will generally be understood that, depending on the width of the beams relative to the width of the slots 36 and the width of the body portion 37 between the slots, the sensing beams can not be completely blocked by the body portion 37. The body portion 37 between adjacent slots can also be referred to as a “light break”. Thus, the strip 35 can generally be considered to include alternating or contiguous slots and light breaks.

[0136] However, if the optical signal detected at the photodetector of the optical sensor 45 is below a predetermined threshold, the controller can consider the corresponding sensing beam to be blocked by the light break. Conversely, the sensing beam can not be completely transmitted through a slot 36, but if the optical signal detected at the photodetector is above a predetermined threshold, the corresponding sensing beam can be considered to be being transmitted through one of the slots 36. In some cases, each photodetector of the optical sensor 45 can also include a slit that limits the width of the optical signal reaching it.

[0137] The interruption in transmission of the light beams 46a, 47a can be detected by the photodetectors of the sensor 45 and can be substantially similar to, for example, a periodic signal that is different for each photodetector, being maximum when the slot 36 is engaged with the light beam and minimum when the body portion 37 is engaged with the light beam. This is explained in more detail in FIG. 21C As the light beams 46a, 47a have a finite cross-sectional width that can be wider than the slot 36 and the body portion 37 between successive slots at the point of interaction, the entire light beam does not have to be blocked by the body portion 37 when interacting with the body portion 37. Similarly, due to the width of the light beams, the entire light beam does not have to pass through the slot 36. Thus, it should be understood that the light beams 46a, 47a can be considered to have passed through the slot 36 when the detected signal at the photodetector is above a predetermined threshold. Similarly, the light beams 46a, 47a can be considered to be blocked by the body portion 37 when the detected signal at the photodetector is below a predetermined threshold, without having to be zero.

[0138] The center-to-center spacing C between the light beams 46a, 47a e --C e may be from about 0.25 inches, 0.26 inches to about 0.4 inches, including all values and subranges therebetween. In some cases, the spacing C e --C e may be such that at least one complete slot 36 is always disposed between the light beams 46a, 47a during the swing motion. Typically, as a result of this spacing, when one of the sensing light beams (e.g., light beam 46a) is centered on a slot 36 and unblocked, the other light beam (e.g., light beam 47a) will be located at or around the edge of the other slot 36 and switch from blocked or unblocked to the other state. Similarly, if one of the sensing light beams 46a, 47a is centered on the portion between slots 36, the other light beam will be located at or around the edge of the other slot 36 and switch from blocked to unblocked or vice versa depending on the direction of swing.

[0139] In some cases, the spacing C e --C e may be such that at least a portion of two slots 36 and the body portion 37 therebetween (i.e., the light break) are always disposed between the light beams 46a, 47a during the swing motion. As explained in more detail herein, this spacing C e --C e may provide for an increased resolution of the swing motion determination.

[0140] FIG. 8A hollow shroud 49 is shown as an extension of the frame support 14 and / or the swivel member 14a and mechanically supports the pivot axis shaft 19 and the permanent magnets 31-33. As shown, the shroud can be curved and / or otherwise include a notch to partially or fully accommodate the pivot axis shaft 19. For example, the curvature of the notch can be selected to match the curvature of the pivot axis shaft 19. The shroud 49 can also provide a passageway for electrical and / or electronic wiring (e.g., to power the controller 2102, the user interface panel 22, and / or similar components). In addition, the shroud 49 can provide a mechanical stop for the movement of the swing arm assembly 15, i.e., physically limit the swing angle. In some cases, the mechanical stop (e.g., the outer shell of the housing 21) can prevent the swing arm assembly 15 from significantly exceeding a desired maximum swing angle a, as this can make the swing 10 unstable and prone to tipping over.

[0141] Several structural aspects of the magnetic drive 20 have advantages over conventional approaches. For example, none of the components of the magnetic drive 20 (such as the permanent magnets, electromagnets, optical sensors, control loops, and / or similar components) are directly formed on or coupled to the seat 18. As a result, the seat design is simplified and can be based primarily on mechanical factors, rather than electrical or magnetic factors. By isolating these components from the child user of the seat, safety is also improved. In addition, modularity of the seat design can be achieved without having to worry about how it will affect the placement of these different components. One beneficial outcome is the ability to seamlessly replace the seat when it is damaged, worn out, or even a new design of the seat is available. Other advantages include a relatively light seat / seat frame, which in turn makes it easy to disassemble and transport, and further enables it to be integrated into other child products, such as car seats, play yards, strollers, and / or similar products.

[0142] As another example, by removing the magnetic drive 20 from the seat and the pivot axis P— P' is not associated with the seat frame as well, compared to the conventional approach, the components of the magnetic drive 20 can be placed closer to the pivot axis P— P' of the rotational / revolving motion, thus the overall housing size / volume for the magnetic drive is smaller. The closer placement also allows the placement of the permanent magnets 52, 53 and the electromagnet 51 closer to each other. Since the magnetic force, including the attractive and repulsive force, between two magnetic poles increases as they get closer and closer, the result is that the closer the permanent magnets and the electromagnet are placed, the larger the coupling force generated, and the larger the force that can be used to provide a wider range of rocking motion (i.e., for converting the electrical energy provided to the electromagnet 51 into magnetic force, and ultimately into mechanical rocking motion). The closer placement also allows the tolerance between the magnets 52, 53 and the electromagnet 51 to be controlled. In contrast, compared to the conventional approach, a smaller and / or weaker magnet can be utilized to provide the same range of rocking motion. This can result in space benefits and cost savings due to the use of smaller and weaker magnets and electromagnets. In addition, the magnetic drive described herein, including the magnetic drive 20, does not use gears and / or a gear box, thus avoiding the volume and noise associated with a gear box based drive, including a direct current motor drive, which, although uses magnets, also uses a gear box.

[0143] Magnetic drive operation

[0144] FIGS. 12-14 The configuration and operation of the magnetic drive 20 is shown, where the rocking arm portion 30 and the frame arm portion 40 have been assembled, and the housing 21 has been removed for clarity. An example configuration using two permanent magnets 52, 53 (see FIGS. 4-5 ) and one electromagnet 51 (see FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 ) can be positioned between the magnets 52, 53 at an angle (e.g., on the mid-way between at an angle) relative to the pivot axis P— P', i.e., in a staggered manner, when assembled and at rest or in the middle. FIGS. 14-15 The electromagnet 51, 42 can be positioned in a middle or rest position or state in the pivot plane PP, which can be considered the position / state when no excitation current is applied to the electromagnet 51, such that the non-magnetic forces (e.g., the gravitational force acting on the movable rocking arm assembly 15) primarily determine the positioning of the electromagnet 51 and the magnets 52, 53. It should be noted that the middle / rest position is also quickly reached when the rocking device 10 is in motion.

[0145] In the middle / rest position (e.g., see FIG. 13), the magnets 52, 53 and electromagnet 51 can be considered to be disposed on one side (sometimes referred to as the “first side”) of the pivot axis P-P’ while the seat 18 is disposed on the other side (sometimes referred to as the “second side”) of the pivot axis P-P’. For example, the seat is disposed between the pivot axis P-P’ and a horizontal plane (e.g., a floor) on which the swing apparatus 10 is located, while the magnets 52, 53 and electromagnet 51 are disposed in a space above the pivot axis P-P’. Such spacing can provide a more compact design, with the seat 18 and electromagnet 51 / magnets 52, 53 being disposed in close proximity to the pivot axis P-P’ with no other components therebetween. The compact design with the electromagnet and permanent magnets closer to the pivot axis P-P’ also allows for the use of smaller and / or weaker magnets, as the magnetic force between the two needs to be sufficient to move the permanent magnet through a relatively smaller arc length of the swing motion.

[0146] For example, the linear separation or distance between the centroid or geometric center of the electromagnet 51 and the pivot axis P-P’ can be at most about 1 inch, about 2 inches, about 3 inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, about 6 inches, including all values and subranges therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the linear separation or distance between the geometric center of a surface (e.g., surface 51f) of the electromagnet 51 and the pivot axis P-P’ can be at most about 0.5 inches, about 1 inch, about 2 inches, about 2.35 inches, about 2.5 inches, about 3 inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, including all values and subranges therebetween. Similarly, the linear separation or distance between the centroid or geometric center of one of the permanent magnets 52, 53 and the pivot axis P-P’ can be at most about 0.5 inches, about 1 inch, 1.87 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, about 3 inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, including all values and subranges therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the linear separation or distance between the geometric center of a surface (e.g., surface 52f) of one of the permanent magnets 52, 53 and the pivot axis P-P’ can be at most about 0.5 inches, about 1 inch, 1.5 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.25 inches, about 2.5 inches, about 3 inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, including all values and subranges therebetween.

[0147] As explained in more detail below, when the magnetic drive is arranged and in operation FIGS. 12-13When the magnet 52, 53 is in the initial position shown, and when the electromagnet 51 is energized, the attractive and repulsive forces generated between the magnets 52, 53 and the electromagnet 51 can cause the swing arm assembly 15 to begin rotating in the L or R direction about the pivot axis P— P'. During this motion, the magnets 52, 53 can pass extremely close to the electromagnet 51 in a non-contacting manner (e.g., within about 0.02 inches, about 0.025 inches, about 0.03 inches, about 0.05 inches, about 0.05 inches, including all values and subranges therebetween) while maintaining an air gap as the swing arm portion 30 rotates about the pivot axis P— P' relative to the static frame arm portion 40.

[0148] The caregiver / user can use the panel 22 to initiate operation of the magnetic drive 20 and to set various operating parameters. For example, the caregiver / user can use the controls 23 and dial 25 to select a swing angle a (or its equivalent indicia, e.g., 5 levels) for the swing arm assembly 15, and correspondingly for the magnetic drive 20. The caregiver can also use the controls 23 and dial 25 to specify a duration of time for which the swing arm assembly, and correspondingly the magnetic drive 20, is to be operated. In the absence of a selection of either parameter, a default value of maximum swing angle can be used, and continuous operation or with a predetermined time limit (e.g., 20 minutes) can be used. The maximum swing angle a of the motion of the swing arm assembly 15 can be defined by the spatial positions of the magnets 52, 53, and more particularly, by the angular separation between the magnets 53 and the electromagnet 51.

[0149] As noted above, the permanent magnets 52, 53 have pre-established permanent poles, FIGS. 13-15 One example of the pre-established poles is shown. The electromagnet 51 has no poles prior to being energized by an electric current (e.g., from a wall outlet or a power source such as a battery, etc.). In the state of the magnetic drive FIG. 13 , the swing arm assembly 15 will begin to rotate in the left direction L (see FIG. 14 ), as the north pole of the magnet 52 is attracted to the south pole of the electromagnet 51. This rotation is further enhanced by the repulsive force between the south pole of the magnet 53 and the south pole of the electromagnet 51. As FIG. 14 shown, this rotation is affected by the swing angle a, and causes the attractive pole pair between the magnet 52 and the electromagnet 51 to align.

[0150] Generally, the alignment and attractive force between a permanent magnet and an electromagnet (i.e., between their opposing faces / poles) can be greatest when the overlap between the opposing faces / poles of the permanent magnet and the electromagnet is greatest. Using the magnet 52 and the electromagnet 51 in FIG. 14 as a typical example generally applicable to any electromagnet-permanent magnet interaction disclosed herein, when they are as FIG. 14When aligned as shown, the attraction between them can be maximized. In this alignment, the surfaces 52f of magnet 52 and 51f of electromagnet 51 are substantially parallel and / or otherwise aligned to the greatest extent possible, and perpendicular to the pivot plane PP. The air gap or separation between surfaces 51f and 52f can be about 0.3 inches or less, about 0.2 inches or less, about 0.15 inches or less, about 0.1 inches or less, about 0.05 inches or less, or about 0.025 inches or less, including all values ​​and subranges in between. The plane PP can also pass through the geometric center, center of mass, or magnetic core of magnet 52 and electromagnet 51. Therefore, when not... FIG. 14 At the positions shown, a misalignment (sometimes referred to as "magnetic alignment") may occur between magnet 52 and electromagnet 51. For example, if the maximum swing angle α is 18 degrees, and the user's input (via panel 22 and turntable 25) is mapped to a swing angle α of approximately 12 degrees, magnet 52 can move from its rest position toward electromagnet 51, but will not reach it. FIG. 14 The maximum degree of alignment is shown. This can be achieved by modulating the excitation of electromagnet 51 according to the user's input of the swing angle α, which in turn affects the attractive force generated between magnet 52 and electromagnet 51, as explained in more detail later.

[0151] In some cases, due to inertia, the magnetic actuator may overshoot beyond the desired swing angle α. The weight of the rocker arm assembly (including any child in the seat frame 18) and the continuous attractive force between magnet 52 and electromagnet 51 will counteract / suppress this effect. In some cases, due to similar weight considerations, the magnetic force between electromagnet 51 and permanent magnets 52, 53 may be insufficient (e.g., too weak to overcome the counteracting gravity) to move the rocker arm assembly 15 through the swing angle α, and may partially move the rocker arm assembly toward that position.

[0152] During this movement of the rocker arm assembly 15, as described above, the slot strip 35 passes through the sensing supports 46, 47, and the controller 2102 can use this movement to detect the direction of movement of the rocker arm assembly 15 and when the direction of movement changes. Upon detecting a change in the direction of movement, the controller 2102 can switch the magnetic poles / polarity of the electromagnet 51 (see...). FIG. 15 This causes the north pole of electromagnet 51 to interact with magnets 52 and 53 at this time.

[0153] At this moment, electromagnet 51 repels magnet 52 and attracts magnet 53. These simultaneously generated magnetic forces, along with gravity, cause the rocker arm assembly 15 to move in the opposite direction (i.e., to the right, R, see...). FIG. 15) rotates. The magnetic driver 20 can be swung through a swing angle a fully or partially in the right direction R. When another change in direction is detected, the controller 2102 can switch the two poles of the electromagnet 51 again, and the magnetic driver 20 will move again to the left direction L.

[0154] FIGS. 16-18 Another swing apparatus 50 is shown. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, similarly labeled and named components can be structurally and / or functionally similar to those of the apparatus 10. Unlike the apparatus 10, which includes a single centrally located (i.e., aligned with the pivot plane PP) electromagnet 51 and a pair of permanent magnets 52, 53 that are angularly offset relative to the pivot plane PP, the apparatus 50 includes three magnets 31-33 and two electromagnets 41, 42. Like the magnets 31-32, the electromagnets 41, 42 can also be positioned on an arc centered on the pivot axis P— P'. Like the permanent magnets, each electromagnet 41, 42 can have a different angular spacing from the pivot plane PP about the pivot axis P— P'. Here, FIG. 16 It is shown that, for the illustrated exemplary dual electromagnet layout, the electromagnets 41, 42 can be equally spaced from the pivot plane PP and can be spaced about one-half of the maximum allowed swing angle a about the pivot axis P— P'.

[0155] In the illustrated apparatus 50, at start of run, the electromagnet 41 can be energized to have a south pole facing the magnets 31-33 and the electromagnet 42 can be energized to have a north pole facing the magnets 31-33. This creates an attractive force between the magnet 31 and the electromagnet 41 and an attractive force between the magnet 32 and the electromagnet 42 and a repulsive force between the magnet 32 and the electromagnet 41 and a repulsive force between the magnet 33 and the electromagnet 42. This causes the swing arm assembly 15 to move to the left (see FIG. 17 ). FIG. 17 It is shown that, when the magnet 32 is aligned with the electromagnet 42, the maximum angular deflection (i.e., the maximum swing angle a) of the swing arm assembly 15 to the left occurs. In some cases, the magnet 32 can coast past the electromagnet 42 due to momentum, while in other cases, the magnet 32 can not achieve FIG. 17 the illustrated alignment, e.g., due to the weight of the child, insufficient energization of the electromagnet 51, and / or the like. FIGS. 16-18 It is shown that, when the user selects the maximum swing angle a, the maximum alignment between the electromagnets 41, 42 and the permanent magnets 31, 32 is achieved during swing motion in one direction (see FIG. 17 ) and the maximum alignment between the electromagnets 41 and 42 and the permanent magnets 32, 33 is achieved during swing motion in the other direction (see FIG. 18 ). As above for the apparatus 10, the maximum swing angle a can be selected by the user, e.g., by adjusting a control knob 2101. FIGS. 13-15As explained, the user can select a value less than the maximum swing angle a, in which case the degree of alignment between electromagnets 41, 42 and permanent magnets 31-33 is lower.

[0156] FIG. 18 Device 50 is shown, with electromagnets 41, 42 subsequently energized to have their north and south poles facing magnets 31-33, respectively, resulting in the swing arm assembly 15 rotating to the right. Similar to device 10, device 50 can include an optical sensor (e.g., sensor 45) that cooperates with a slot bar (e.g., bar 35) and a controller 2102 to determine a change in direction of the swing motion and to switch the polarity of electromagnets 41, 42.

[0157] Generally, the configuration of device 50, with two electromagnets 41, 42 and three permanent magnets 31-33, can produce greater magnetic forces, including attractive and repulsive forces, than device 10. Thus, the configuration of device 50 can be used when greater magnetic forces are needed (e.g., with heavier seats and / or users) in order to more rigorously control a swing device, etc. By contrast, for the configuration of device 10, placing electromagnet 51 at the center of the pivot plane PP and angling electromagnets 52, 53 away from the pivot plane PP by a maximum swing angle a (e.g., 20 degrees) can provide similar operational results as device 10, but with fewer parts and at a lower cost.

[0158] FIG. 19 、 FIGS. 20A-20D Another swing device 1900 is shown. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, like numbered and named components can be similar in structure and / or function to components of device 10 and / or device 50. Device 1900 includes an electromagnet 1941 mounted to swing frame assembly 12 by an inductor bracket 1945. A permanent magnet 1931 is attached to a magnet bracket 1935 and centered on the pivot plane PP. Here, magnet 1931 is a curved magnet, with its geometric center also on the pivot plane PP, but sized and shaped so that the faces of its south and north poles 1931a, 1931b define axes that are angularly separated from the pivot plane PP (i.e., axes normal to the pole surfaces and passing through the pivot axis P— P’), to define a maximum swing angle a (e.g., 20 degrees, as shown). FIG. 19 As explained generally for device 10, magnet 1931 and swing arm 1917 can rotate about pivot axis rod shaft 1919 relative to electromagnet 1941.

[0159] FIG. 20A 、 FIG. 20BIt is shown how to achieve rotational movement in the right direction by exciting the electromagnet 1941, for example as shown by applying a voltage of -5v on the electromagnet coil so that the south pole of the electromagnet faces the magnet 1931. The south pole of the electromagnet 1941 is attracted to the north pole 1931a and repelled by the south pole 1931b. These attractive and repulsive magnetic forces together cause the swing arm assembly to rotate / swing in the right direction about the pivot axis P--P'. Similarly, FIG. 20C , FIG. 20D It is shown how to achieve rotational movement in the left direction by exciting the electromagnet 1941 with a voltage opposite to that in FIG. 20A , 20B for example as shown by applying a voltage of +5v on the coil of the electromagnet 1942 so that the north pole of the electromagnet faces the magnet 1931. The north pole of the electromagnet 1941 is attracted to the south pole 1931b and repelled by the north pole 1931a. These attractive and repulsive magnetic forces together cause the swing arm assembly to rotate / swing in the left direction about the pivot axis P--P'. FIG. 19 , FIGS. 20A-20D It is shown the case of maximum alignment between the electromagnet 1941 and the face / pole 1931a FIG. 20B during the swing movement in one direction and maximum alignment between the electromagnet 1941 and the face / pole 1931b FIG. 20D during the swing movement in one direction. As explained above for FIGS. 13-15 , the user can select an angle of swing smaller than the maximum angle a, in which case the degree of alignment between the electromagnet 1941 and the poles 1931a, 1931b is lower.

[0160] The device 1900 can produce smaller magnetic forces than the devices 10, 50, but is advantageous when there are stronger magnets available, when it is desirable to reduce the size of the housing (e.g. the size of the housing 21), when a smaller range of swing angles a is provided and / or in similar cases.

[0161] The devices 10, 50, 1900 generalize the general concept that a magnetic drive comprises at least one magnetic component (permanent magnet or electromagnet) coupled to the swing frame assembly 12 or to the swing arm assembly 15 and at least two magnetic components (permanent magnets or electromagnets) coupled to the other one of the swing frame assembly 12 or to the swing arm assembly 15, which are angularly offset from the at least one magnetic component. While the device 1900 employs a single magnet 1931 and a single electromagnet 1941, the design of the magnet 1931 is such that both its poles interact with the electromagnet 1941, effectively acting like two magnetic components.

[0162] FIGS. 12-2Variations of the magnetic drive disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6, 1 1 1, 0 0 are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the apparatus 10 can be modified such that the electromagnets 51 are formed on the swing arm assembly 15 and the magnets 52, 53 are formed on the frame assembly 12. As another example, a pair of electromagnets can be mounted on the swing arm assembly 15 and a single permanent magnet can be mounted on the frame assembly 12. As yet another example, two electromagnets can be mounted on the frame assembly 12 and a single permanent magnet can be mounted on the arm assembly 15.

[0163] Having explained the design of the example embodiment shown in U.S. Patent No. 6, 1 1 1, 0 0, a more generalized magnetic drive can be implemented, as described herein. FIGS. 12-2

[0164] Having explained the design of the example embodiment shown in U.S. Patent No. 6, 1 1 1, 0 0, a more generalized magnetic drive can be implemented, as described herein.

[0165] FIGS. 31A-31B A generalized swing apparatus 31 10 is shown, which is similar in structure and / or in function to the apparatus 10, unless otherwise explicitly stated. The apparatus 3100 includes a base 31 13 for stabilization and a frame assembly 31 12 that rises vertically, which is connected to a drive / motor 3120. The device 31 10 also includes a swing arm assembly 31 15, which includes a swing seat 18. The swing arm assembly 3315 is suspended on the motor 31 15 and is rotatably coupled to the motor 31 15 to allow the swing arm assembly to swing in a pendulum-like, reciprocating motion.

[0166] FIG. 32 Additional details of the motor 3120 are shown, which can include a brushless direct current (DC) motor or a portion thereof, as described herein. A stationary portion / stator 3222 of the motor 3120 is coupled to the frame 31 12. A drive shaft 3224 is disposed at the center of the stator 3222 and is coupled to the swing arm assembly 31 15, and can define an axis of rotation similar to the pivot axis P--P'. The stator 3222 includes a set of inductors or electromagnets 3226 (e.g., similar to the electromagnets 51 ) that are mounted in a rotational array around the drive shaft 3224. The motor 3120 also includes a rotating portion or rotor 3228 that includes a set of permanent magnets 3230 (e.g., similar to the magnets 52, 53) that are also disposed in a rotational array around the drive shaft 2224, and are disposed closer to the drive shaft 3224 than the electromagnets 3230.

[0167] FIGS. 33A-33F How the number of electromagnets 3226 and magnets 3230 are selected according to the desired maximum swing angle and assuming that the swing motion in either direction does not exceed 90 degrees is shown. FIG. 33A ​It is shown how, with twelve magnets 3230 and twelve electromagnets 3226, the angular spacing between adjacent magnets and adjacent electromagnets can be about 30 degrees, and the maximum allowed swing angle can be set to 15 degrees. FIG. 33B It is shown how, with ten magnets 3230 and ten electromagnets 3226, the angular spacing between adjacent magnets and adjacent electromagnets can be about 36 degrees, and the maximum allowed swing angle can be set to 18 degrees. FIG. 33C It is shown how, with eight magnets 3230 and eight electromagnets 3226, the angular spacing between adjacent magnets and adjacent electromagnets can be about 45 degrees, and the maximum allowed swing angle can be set to 22.5 degrees. FIG. 33D It is shown how, with six magnets 3230 and six electromagnets 3226, the angular spacing between adjacent magnets and adjacent electromagnets can be about 60 degrees, and the maximum allowed swing angle can be set to 30 degrees. FIG. 33E It is shown how, with four magnets 3230 and four electromagnets 3226, the angular spacing between adjacent magnets and adjacent electromagnets can be about 90 degrees, and the maximum allowed swing angle can be set to 45 degrees. FIG. 33F It is shown how, with two magnets 3230 and two electromagnets 3226, the angular spacing between adjacent magnets and adjacent electromagnets can be about 180 degrees, and the maximum allowed swing angle can be set to 90 degrees.

[0168] FIG. 34A It is shown how, because each magnet 3230 is located within the angular range defined by the two electromagnets 3226 closest to it, FIGS. 33A-33F It is shown how the design of FIG. 34A for example purposes only, for a swing set design as shown in FIGS. 31A-31B where the pivot axis is generally horizontal or close to horizontal, this design can be used with a spacing of 30 degrees or 60 degrees (including all values and subranges therebetween) between magnets 3230, which results in a maximum swing angle of 15 degrees or 30 degrees, respectively.

[0169] In other words, the number of electromagnets, the number of permanent magnets, and the angular spacing between adjacent electromagnets / permanent magnets can be chosen based on the angle that the pivot axis makes with the surface on which the swing set is installed. For example, FIG. 33F in the embodiment of a swing angle of 90 degrees can not be suitable when the pivot axis is generally horizontal or close to horizontal, but can be very suitable for a generally vertical pivot axis. Such a swing set can be similar to the swing set shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 9,433,304, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0170] Continuing FIG. 34A The optimization, FIG. 34B It is shown how the stator is also minimized to create a partial stator 3422. In addition, by FIG. 34C With the design shown, minimization, parts reduction, and operational weight reduction can be achieved, the partial stator 3422 is formed as a bracket that suspends the electromagnet 3226 above a partial rotor 3428. The stator 3422, the rotor 3428, and the swing arm 3115 can all be disposed on the shaft 3224. Then, FIGS. 12-2 The embodiments of 0 can be considered to be example embodiments of the general embodiments of FIG. 34C The embodiments of 0 can be considered to be example embodiments of the general embodiments of

[0171] Controller circuit and operation

[0172] FIG. 21A A controller circuit 2100 for controlling operation of any of the swing devices disclosed herein (e.g., devices 10, 50, 1900) is shown. For simplicity, reference is made to device 10, portions / components of circuit 2100 can be formed on FIG. 3B The circuit 2100 includes a controller 2102, and can also include a memory or database (not shown) communicably coupled to the controller. The controller 2102 can be any suitable processing device configured to execute and / or perform a set of instructions or code associated with device 10. The controller 2102 can be, for example, a general purpose processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), and / or the like.

[0173] The memory / database can include, for example, random access memory (RAM), memory buffers, hard drives, databases, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable read only memory (EEPROM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, and / or the like. The memory / database can store instructions to cause the controller 2102 to perform processes and / or functions associated with device 10.

[0174] The circuit 2100 can also include a network interface (not shown) for communicating with one or more external devices (e.g., a remote control, a smartphone, other computing devices, etc.) and / or a virtual assistant (e.g., Amazon Alexa), for example, for remotely controlling the apparatus 10. The communication with the one or more external devices can be direct, for example, through Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, near field communication (NFC), wireless fidelity (WiFi), etc. Additionally or alternatively, the communication with the one or more external devices can be via one or more networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual network, a telecommunication network, and / or the Internet, implemented as a wired network and / or a wireless network. Any or all of the communication can be secure (e.g., encrypted) or unsecure, as known in the art.

[0175] The controller 2102 is coupled to a power source 2104 of the apparatus, which can be, for example, a utility power source, a battery, a rechargeable battery, etc. As an example, the controller 2102 receives a 6V DC input from the power source 2104. The circuit 2100 also includes a power button 2106 (e.g., disposed on the faceplate 22) coupled to the controller 2102 to allow a user to turn the power on and off to the apparatus 10. The controller 2102 receives input from the buttons / switches 24 to allow a user to select apparatus parameters, such as the swing amplitude, the swing duration, the music, etc. The controller 2102 also receives input from the dial / knob 25, which allows a user to manipulate the selected apparatus parameters, such as the swing amplitude (i.e., the swing angle a), how long the swing should last, etc. FIG. 21A It is also shown that the controller 2102 can control the operation of the visual indicator 26, as well as the operation of a single light (e.g., LED) that can be formed on each button 24. The controller 2102 can also control the music playback through a music driver 2116 of the circuit 2100, which in turn is coupled to the speaker on the circuit board 29.

[0176] The circuit 2100 also includes a drive circuit 2120 for controlling and switching the polarity of the voltage signal applied to the electromagnet 51, thereby switching the magnetic poles of the electromagnet. For example, the drive circuit 2120 can be an H-bridge circuit with an output voltage line to which the electromagnet 51 is coupled. When more than one electromagnet (e.g., electromagnets 41, 42) is used, they can be connected in parallel to the H-bridge circuit, with opposite polarity to each other. In general, whenever more than one electromagnet is used, adjacent electromagnets can be wired opposite to each other. As a result, the same voltage / polarity applied by the circuit 2120 will cause the electromagnets 41, 42 to have opposite magnetic poles, which are switched when the voltage polarity is switched.

[0177] Referring again to the single electromagnet 51 design, as FIG. 21AAs shown, the drive circuit 2120 is also coupled to the power supply 2104 to receive, for example, a 6V signal that can both power the drive circuit 2120 and provide a voltage signal to the electromagnets 51. For example, the voltage signal can be a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. FIG. 21A Also shown is a communicative coupling between the controller 2102 and the optical sensor 45, which enables the controller 2102 to control operation of the light source of the optical sensor 45 and to receive detected optical signals from the photodetector of the optical sensor 45.

[0178] The swing apparatus 10 can include other components (not shown) that are readable and / or controllable by the controller 2102, such as: an ambient light sensor for controlling the brightness of any LEDs on the housing 21, for turning the night light on and off; a motion sensor for turning the night light on and off when a user approaches the night light; a weight sensor coupled to the seat frame 18 for sensing whether the seat is in place and / or whether a child is seated on the seat; a tilt sensor, a gyroscope, and / or a gyro test meter coupled to the seat frame 18 that can be used to turn off the apparatus 10 if the seat is tilted or oriented in a way that causes it to be used unsafely; and / or one or more reed switches for detecting the position of a permanent magnet during a swing motion. For example, the one or more reed switches can be disposed on the swing frame assembly 12 at a preset angle of the pivot plane PP relative to the pivot axis P--P'. When a permanent magnet (e.g., the magnets 52, 53) approaches the one or more reed switches during a swing motion, this can be detected and used to sense the swing angle at the time of detection.

[0179] FIG. 21B is a flowchart of an example method 2125 detailing operation of the swing apparatus 10, and the method can be performed by the circuit 2100, for example, by the controller 2102. The method 2125 starts at step SI, for example, after a user turns on the apparatus 10 and selects a swing angle a. At step S2, it is checked whether the selection of the swing angle a has changed. When this check is made for the first time at least after the user makes the selection (i.e., the device is in a rest state and the swing angle is currently zero), the latest value of the swing angle is read at step S3. Step S3 represents here 6 example values or "set points" (SP) of the swing angle that the user can set, from SP1 of 3 degrees to SP6 of 18 degrees, which is the maximum allowed swing angle. After the set point is determined at S3, at step S4, a maximum value of the voltage signal (e.g., a PWM signal, as shown) is applied to the electromagnets 41, 42 having a given (e.g., first) polarity. As referred to above, the maximum value of the voltage signal is determined based on the selected swing angle a. FIG. 21B FIGS. 13-15 ​As explained, in this way, electromagnet 51 is energized and depending on the polarity of the electromagnet, the rocking motion will start in one direction or the other (i.e., left or right) without any additional input from the user (i.e., the user does not need to push the device 10 to initiate the rocking motion or do anything other than provide a set point for the rocking motion). Also at step S4, a clock or timer (referred to in the FIG. 21B as the "half-cycle timer") is started to reflect the duration of the voltage signal of the given polarity that has been applied.

[0180] Then, the controller 2102 executes a self-start sequence / circuit 2125a that allows the rocking device 10 to initiate a rocking motion when the user inputs via the interface panel 22 and does not need to be manually pushed by the user as with several conventional devices. As shown in the embodiments of FIG. 13 , FIG. 16 and FIG. 19 , during the rest period, the self-start can be affected by the off-axis placement of the permanent magnet and the one or more electromagnets such that the application of power to the one or more electromagnets substantially immediately results in attractive and repulsive forces that can initiate the rocking motion. The sequence 2125a includes reading the output of the photodetector at step S5, where a reading of "0" by the photodetector indicates that its corresponding beam (e.g., one of the beams 46a, 47a) is blocked, while a reading of "1" indicates that its corresponding beam is detected. At step S5, the output or state of at least one photodetector is read. At step S6, it is determined whether the output of the one or more photodetectors has changed. This can be done for one or both of the photodetectors, i.e., it is not necessary to read the output of both photodetectors in order to execute the self-start sequence 2125a. For simplicity, assume that one photodetector is read at steps S5 and S6, and a change in its output is indicative of some movement of the magnetic drive caused by the application of the maximum voltage signal to the electromagnet at step S4. When the spacing between two adjacent slots 36 of the slot bar 35 is about 2 degrees, the rocking motion corresponding to a change in the state of the photodetector ranges from about just greater than 0 degrees (e.g., when the beam 46a is just inside a slot and adjacent to the slot edge, the rocking motion pushes it outside the adjacent slot edge) to about 1 degree (e.g., when the beam 46a is just inside a slot and adjacent to the slot edge, the rocking motion moves the beam 46a across the slot and pushes it outside the opposite slot edge), with an average of about 0.5 degrees, about 1 degree, about 2 degrees, about 3 degrees, about 4 degrees, or greater, including all values and sub-ranges therebetween.

[0181] If no such movement / state change is detected at step S6, then at step S7, the predetermined time period (in FIG. 21BThe timer started at step S4 is checked to determine if the duration of the voltage signal of the first polarity is greater than a time period of, for example, 700 ms. In general, the time period can be from about 400 ms to about 900 ms, including all values and sub-ranges therebetween. In some cases, the time period can be about 700 ms. If the timer value is greater than or equal to the predetermined time period, then at step S8, the polarity of the voltage signal applied to the electromagnet 51 is switched, for example, from FIG. 14 to the polarity in FIG. 15 At step S9, the timer is reset, and at step S10, control returns to step S1. Returning control to step S1 at regular intervals, as done at step S9 and at other different times during the method 2125 (explained later), enables any changes by the user to the swing angle / setpoint to be quickly taken into account in steps S2-S4; if no such changes are made by the user, then control returns to the self-start sequence 2125a and back to step S5.

[0182] If at step S7 the timer value is less than the predetermined time period, then the time value continues to increase, and the self-start sequence 2125a loops back to step S5. In this way, during the self-start sequence 2115b, the controller 2102 will periodically switch the polarity on the electromagnet 51 at step S8 based on the periodicity of the predetermined time period until some swing motion is detected as detectable at step S5.

[0183] Once some swing motion is detected from the analysis of step S6, the controller 2102 can execute a swing motion control sequence / loop 2125b. At step S11, the swing angle measure, which was set to zero at the start of the self-start sequence 2125a, is increased by 1 degree as an initial estimate of the swing motion achieved during the self-start sequence 2125a. The updated swing angle measure is stored at step S12 for use during a swing angle control sequence / loop 2125c described later. FIG. 21B

[0184] At step S13, the controller 2102 continuously reads or monitors the photodetector of the optical sensor 35 to determine the swing direction and whether it has changed, as shown in more detail in FIG. 21C Reference is now made to FIG. 21C ​For ease of explanation, the change in direction is illustrated when the swinging motion begins from one end of the swinging motion represented by state 2130a (“starting point”), in which the swing angle is at its maximum and the swing speed is essentially zero. The swinging device 10 then moves through state 2130b to state 2130c, in which the swing angle is essentially zero and the swing speed is at its maximum. During this movement, the sensing beams 46a and 47a will be blocked and transmitted differently by the slot strip 35, which can be detected by the controller 2102 as “0” (or “LOW”, when the beam is blocked) or “1” (or “LOW”, when the beam is unblocked and detectable), as well as... FIG. 21C As illustrated in the diagram. For example, when the swing motion is between states 2130a and 2130b, i.e. when beam 46a is not blocked but beam 47a is blocked, the controller can detect "10" (typically shown as a reading / reading block 2135a).

[0185] The oscillating motion then continues from reading "11" to reading "01" (see reading 2135b), then to "00", and then back to "10" (see reading 2135c). Because the oscillating motion accelerates from state 2130a through 2130b to 2130c, reading 2135c has a shorter duration than 2135a (i.e., a reduced thickness, as...). FIG. 21C As shown), and because the swaying motion is at its maximum speed, the duration of reading 2135d in state 2130c is even shorter.

[0186] like FIG. 21C As illustrated, any of these reading transitions can be used to determine the direction of the oscillating motion. As shown in reading block 2135e, when the reading subsequently changes in the opposite direction—from “10” to “00”, from “01” to “11”, and back to “10”—it can be determined that the oscillating motion is in the opposite direction (here, from state 2130e to state 2130f). In this way, the size of the slot in slot bar 35 and the spacing C between beams 46a and 47a... s --C s It can be selected such that there is a complete slot 36 between beams 46a and 47a, which in turn allows for reading-based direction determination as described herein. Furthermore, a change in the reading of only one of beams 46a and 47a is sufficient to determine the swing direction. As explained above with respect to the self-starting sequence 2125a, this determination can be performed within an average swing motion of approximately 0.5 to 4 degrees.

[0187] Thus, when the cycle of readings reverses, the controller 2102 can determine that a change in direction has occurred (e.g., from clockwise / CW to counter-clockwise / CCW or vice versa). As shown by the reading block 2135f, when the rocking motion is in state 2130e, it will reverse direction. This is detected by the controller 2102 as a transition from “10” to “11” and then back to “10”. If, on the other hand, there is no change in direction, the transition will be from “10” to “11” and then to “01”, i.e., similar to that explained above for readings 2135a, 2135b.

[0188] Figure 21C The concept of a half-cycle 2140 (e.g., about 300 ms, about 500 ms, about 700 ms, about 900 ms, about 1 s, about 1.2 s, about 1.5 s, including all values and sub-ranges therebetween, as shown) is also generally illustrated, which is the time taken to move from one end of the motion (state 2130a) through the swing angle a to the center (state 2130c) and through the swing angle a to the other end of the motion (state 2130e) during steady state motion. Then, the motion takes another half-cycle to return from state 2130e, through state 2130f to the center 2130g, and through state 2130h back to state 2130a. The determination of a change in rocking direction (a short transient state that occurs between half-cycles) is typically made at the beginning of the next half-cycle, as this is when the reversal of readings is detectable, as explained above for reading block 2135f.

[0189] Referring again to Figure 21B If no change in rocking direction is determined at step S13, then at step S15 control returns to step S1, which, as previously explained, facilitates re-evaluation of whether the user has changed the rocking setpoint. Since the device is in motion at this time, and the motion detection criteria of step S6 is readily satisfied, control quickly returns to the motion control sequence 2125b, in which the swing angle measurement continues to increase at step S11, as the device 10 continues to rock in the same direction.

[0190] If a change in rocking direction is determined at step S13, then at step S14 the swing angle measurement is reset to zero. Since the device 10 is now rocking in the opposite direction, the polarity of the electromagnet 51 can be switched (e.g., in the case of a permanent magnet, the polarity of the electromagnet 51 can be switched by reversing the direction of the current through the electromagnet 51). The polarity of the electromagnet 51 is then maintained for the remainder of the rocking motion, until the next change in rocking direction is detected. Figure 14 and Figure 15between the measured value of the swing angle and the desired setpoint specified at step S3. If the swing angle measurement value is equal to or exceeds the desired setpoint, it indicates that the rocking motion has exceeded or will exceed the user-specified rocking motion. In this case, at step S20, the voltage signal (e.g. as a pulse width modulated signal, PWM signal) applied to the electromagnet is set to zero and / or turned off to allow the rocking motion to decay by itself. At step S21, control then returns to step S1.

[0191] If at step S19 it is determined that the swing angle measurement value is less than the setpoint specified by the user at step S3, it indicates that the rocking apparatus 10 is still increasing the angular motion towards achieving the desired setpoint, but has not yet done so. In this case, the controller 2102 can execute a control loop 2125cl that modulates the voltage signal applied to the electromagnet 51 with the aim of obtaining oscillatory convergence between the swing angle measurement value and the desired setpoint over time, taking into account and allowing the rocking motion to gradually increase towards the desired swing angle. In this way, the polarity of the voltage signal applied to the electromagnet 51 as the change indicates the last rocking motion completed in a particular direction.

[0192] The control loop 2125cl shown and explained here as a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control loop can be any other suitable feedback loop (e.g. controlled damping) that is capable of estimating the magnitude of the voltage signal applied to the electromagnet 51 to reduce the difference between the desired setpoint and the observed swing angle. Here, at step S22, the difference or error value is calculated as the difference between the desired setpoint and the observed swing angle. At step S23a, the error value is used to calculate a proportional term based on a predetermined proportional coefficient Kp p The proportional term is calculated. Typically, the proportional term calculated is based on the current error value, i.e. the value calculated immediately prior to step S22. The error value is also used at step S23b to calculate an integral term based on a predetermined integral coefficient K1 iThe integral term is then calculated. Typically, the integral term calculated is based on current and past error values, i.e., error values calculated immediately prior to and in step S22 during a previous execution of control sequence 2125cl. In some cases, control sequence 2125cl can also include calculating a derivative term in step S23c based on the error values, reflecting a rate of change of the error values. The terms calculated in steps S23a, S23b, and optionally S23c are then summed in step 24 to generate a control output. The control output is used in step 25 to determine the magnitude of the voltage signal to be applied to electromagnet 51, in addition to the polarity change affected in step S18. Control returns to step S1 in step S26.

[0193] In this way, aspects of method 2125 facilitate obtaining and maintaining a desired swing angle based on detecting direction changes, without the need to determine the center of the rocking motion as is common in traditional methods. This is particularly beneficial when rocking device 10 can be placed on a surface that is banked, tilted, and / or generally non-horizontal, such that the center of the rocking motion can differ from the geometric center of the device. In some cases, device 10 also does not detect and / or assess the speed of the rocking motion.

[0194] Figure 21D A control sequence / loop 2150 is shown that can be executed by controller 2102 to manage rocking control. Unless otherwise noted, aspects of the control sequence can be similar to control sequence 2125cl and other aspects of method 2125. In step SS1, a desired swing angle, setpoint, or "desired" magnitude 2155 previously selected by a user (e.g., in step S3) is compared to an observed rocking or output swing magnitude 2140 determined based on optical sensor 45, resulting in an error value 2115. As noted above with respect to Figure 21B If the swing magnitude 2140 is greater than or equal to the desired swing angle, power to the electromagnet can be cut off. If the swing magnitude is less than the desired swing angle, the error can be input to a PID algorithm, where coefficients 2170 (integral coefficient 2170a, proportional coefficient 2170b, derivative coefficient 2170c) are combined with proportional, integral, derivative terms 2175a, 2175b, 2175c, respectively, to generate an indication of output voltage and / or input power (e.g., a relative increased input PWM duty cycle) 2182 that can be applied to electromagnet 51 in step SS2. This can result in an increase in swing magnitude 2190 until the setpoint magnitude 2155 is reached.

[0195] Rocking base

[0196] Figures 36A-36H A connection between a rocking frame arm 3614 (e.g., similar to frame arm 14) and a base member 3613 (e.g., similar to base member 13) is shown.Figure 36D Details of the stem 3620, which can be inserted into the base member 3613, which in turn receives the frame arm 3614, are shown. In particular, a first end 3624a of the stem 3620 can receive the frame arm 3614, while the other / second end 3624b can be sized and configured for insertion into the base member 3613.

[0197] With respect to the coupling between the stem 3620 and the base member 3513, the stem 3620 can include a pair of lugs 3626 formed at its second end 3624b. The base member 3613 can include a stem opening 3630 to receive the second end 3624b and allow the second end to be inserted in a mating fashion into the interior volume of the base member 3613. More or fewer lugs can be used, and in some cases, no lugs can be used.

[0198] The base member 3613 also includes a pair of lug openings 3628 to allow the lugs 3626 to pass through. The number of lug openings can generally be selected based on the number of lugs, and if there are no lugs, there can be no lug openings, or there can be a single opening substantially similar to the stem opening 3630.

[0199] After insertion, a first weld 3621a (e.g., a full circumference weld) can be formed at the stem opening 3630 between the stem opening and the body of the stem 3620, and a pair of second welds 3621b can be formed between the lugs 3626 and the lug openings 3621b to secure the stem 3620 to the base member 3513. As Figure 36H As best shown in FIG. 36, when inserted, the stem 3620, or at least the portion of the stem 3620 that engages the base member 3513, is disposed at a stem angle β with respect to a normal axis N, where the axis N can be perpendicular to the surface on which the base member 3613 rests. The stem angle β can be about 5 degrees, about 10 degrees, about 15 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 25 degrees, or greater, including all values and subranges therebetween.

[0200] As described in more detail in the next section, during user assembly, the user can insert the frame arm 3614 into the first end 3624a of the stem 3620. The frame arm 3614a and the stem 3620 can be sized such that the inserted frame arm 3614 can travel within the stem 3620 in a mating fashion until it engages the ledge 3623 within the stem 3620, which can prevent the frame arm 3614 from further travel into the stem. The ledge 3623 also includes a notch formed on the outer surface of the stem 3620, which can serve as a visual guide for the user to properly insert the stem 3620 into the base member 3513.

[0201] The handle 3620 can include a pair of handle holes 3622 formed therethrough for insertion of bolts during assembly. The handle holes 3624 can be substantially circular as shown. Likewise, the frame arms 3614 can include a pair of arm holes 3634 formed therethrough that can align with the handle holes 3622 when the swing arms 3614 are inserted into the handle 3620 such that the swing arms are engaged with the flanges 3623. As Figure 36G As best shown in the middle, the arm holes 3634 facing the center of the swing apparatus can be shaped such that once the bolt 3632b is passed through the handle hole 3622 and the arm hole 3634i, the bolt 3632b is prevented from rotating. As an example, the arm holes 3634 are shown as square or rectangular.

[0202] Each bolt assembly 3632 can include a first bolt 3632a that can include a head and external threading, and a second bolt 3632b that can include a head and internal threading that can matingly receive the external threading of its corresponding first bolt 3532a during assembly. The second bolt 3632b can also include a boss 3633 shaped to engage with the arm hole 3624 such that once the second bolt 3632b is inserted, it is prevented from rotating. This allows a user to screw in the second bolt 3632b into its corresponding first bolt 3632a once it is in place, without having to hold the second bolt 3632a in place.

[0203] When the bolt assembly 3632 is tightened (e.g., by screwing the first bolt 3632a into the second bolt 3632b), this can exert pressure on the swing frame arms 3614 and cause them to expand within the handle 3620, which in turn can create a tighter, more rigid connection between the swing frame arms 3614 and the handle 3620, which in turn connects with the base member 3613. The tight connection between the swing frame arms 3614 and the handle 3620 can also prevent or mitigate rotational losses during swing motion.

[0204] Figure 36A It is shown how a cover 3618 (e.g., a plastic cover) can be placed over the connections that substantially encase the handle 3620 after assembly to prevent any damage from mechanical impact or other issues.

[0205] Swing stability

[0206] Figure 37The handle angle beta and the curvature of the swing frame arm 14 is shown to allow for a relatively small base member 13, while still providing a structurally sound design for the swing apparatus 10. The smaller base member 13 can enclose a base member that is smaller in width, smaller in length, smaller in circumference, and / or smaller in area, as compared to a corresponding design that includes straight frame arms 14. The base member 13 defines a vertical footprint FP on the horizontal floor / surface / ground on which it rests, i.e. the footprint FP can be considered as a vertical projection of the frame of the base member 13 extending directly upward from the floor. The swing frame arm can be curved as shown, and considered to include two generally continuous portions 14a, 14b. The first swing arm portion 14a defines a handle angle beta at its point of interconnection with the handle 3620, and curves away from the footprint FP such that the portion 14a is entirely outside of the footprint. The second swing arm portion 14b curves back toward the footprint FP. Figure 37 A portion of the second swing arm portion 14b and the housing 21 is shown to be outside of the footprint FP. In some cases, at least a portion of the second swing arm portion 14a can be inside of the footprint FP, such that the entire housing 21 can be inside of the footprint FP.

[0207] As shown, the curvature of the frame arm 14 also allows for curvature in the swing arm 17, which in turn allows the seat 18 to be disposed relatively close to the center of the swing apparatus 10. The use of a single frame arm 14 minimizes any spatial issues with the frame arm curving outward from the base, as compared to two or more swing arms in some conventional approaches. Further, the curved frame arm 14 and the curved swing arm 17 provide sufficient clearance for installation and removal of the seat 18, while still allowing the user interface panel 14 to be disposed at a deeper location within the footprint FP to allow for easy access by an adult / caregiver.

[0208] The curved frame arm 14 (and optionally the curvature of the swing arm 17) allows not only for a smaller footprint FP of the base member 13, as compared to using, for example, straight frame arms, but also still maintains the overall center of gravity of the swing apparatus 10 closer to, for example, the geometric center of the footprint. Stability is established and maintained when the seat 18 is extended outside of the footprint FP in the at-rest position as shown, when a child / user is placed in the seat 18, when the seat 18 is repositioned to a side-lying position, and even when the seat 18 moves more extensively outside of the footprint FP during a swing motion.

[0209] More specifically, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 37 , the base member 13 can define a footprint FP, a base width BM W , and a base depth BM D . At rest, at least some portions of the seat 18 are along the depth BM Dextends beyond the footprint FP. When in a swaying motion, the horizontal travel of the seat 18 (i.e., the swaying motion projected onto the floor on which the swing is disposed) can further cause additional portions of the seat 18 to move beyond the footprint FP along the width BM at least at the ends of the swaying motion W extends beyond the footprint FP. When in a swaying motion, the horizontal travel of the seat 18 (i.e., the swaying motion projected onto the floor on which the swing is disposed) can further cause additional portions of the seat 18 to move beyond the footprint FP along the width BM at least at the ends of the swaying motion

[0210] These described features of the swing can also reduce the reduced separation between the center of gravity of the swing with a user / child in the seat 18 and the rotational axis defined by the seat 18. Figure 37 The rotational axis RA— RA’ defined by the seat 18, and an example center of gravity CG of the swing are shown for illustrative purposes only, with the recognition that the center of gravity of the device 10 need not be located within the components of the device. Even with an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) disposed in the seat 18, the linear separation / offset D between the CG and the axis RA— RA’ can be as small as 0.5 inches, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches, 5 inches, or more, including all values and subranges therebetween. CG-RA may be at most 0.5 inches, at most 1 inch, at most 1.5 inches, at most 2 inches, at most 5 inches, including all values and subranges therebetween.

[0211] Based at least in part on all of these features, the swing 10 is able to maintain an upright position without tipping over when placed on a 20 degree inclined surface and having an ATD disposed in the seat 18 (e.g., a Newborn Infant Test Dummy, a Six-Month-Old Infant Test Dummy, and / or the like in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications).

[0212] Swing assembly

[0213] To allow for self-assembly by a user, the swing disclosed herein can be manufactured, packaged, sold, and / or delivered as a kit including a plurality of components (with user assembly instructions). For simplicity, explained with reference to the swing 10, the kit can include a first component including the swing frame assembly 12 with the magnetic drive 20 already mounted thereon. This minimizes any user error and potential damage in assembling these parts, given the close and critical coupling between the frame assembly 12 and the magnetic drive 20. The magnetic drive 20 can already have the hub 16 coupled thereto.

[0214] The first component can also include the power delivery circuit, such as the power cord 3616 with a wall plug or adapter (see Figures 36A-36HThis can be used to connect the magnetic drive 20 to a wall electrical outlet. The power cord 3616 can be partially housed within the hollow housing 49 and passes through the rocking frame assembly 12 to exit the assembly near its base, i.e., close to the floor / surface where the rocking device 10 is placed. This complete housing of the power delivery mechanism / circuit within the first component prevents user access to the magnetic drive components and ensures that power is delivered to the magnetic drive 20 without any user effort.

[0215] The first component may also include a cover 3618 pre-positioned on the frame arm 14 (e.g., held in place on the frame arm by tape or otherwise above the arm hole 3634). In this way, after the caregiver screws the frame arm 14 onto the handle 3620, the cover can be slid down to cover the handle.

[0216] The kit may also include a rocker arm 17 as a second separate component, capable of coupling to the magnetic actuator 20 (more specifically, to the hub 16). Furthermore, the kit may include a seat / seat frame 18 as a third separate component, which can be locked into place by the user, such as... Figures 26A-26C The explanation given.

[0217] In some cases, for ease of user assembly, there is no electrical coupling between the first component and other components. For example, by eliminating the need for electrical coupling between the first component and seat 18, the user does not have to deal with cables running through hub 16, rocker arm 17, etc. If seat 18 does have a power requirement to vibrate during use, such as a motor driver (or any power-consuming component more generally), seat 18 may include its own power supply circuitry independent of the first component. For example, seat 18 may be configured to power the power-consuming component using AA batteries, AAA batteries, plug-in power inputs, etc. The kit may include such an additional power supply.

[0218] The kit may also include base member 13 as a single base (e.g., as a fourth component), or as two base portions of substantially the same or different dimensions (e.g., a fourth component and a fifth component). For example, each base portion may be substantially C-shaped, and its telescopic end mates with the telescopic end of another base portion. As mentioned above regarding Figures 36A-36H The base member 13 may include a handle welded thereto, such as handle 3620, which may serve as a receiving part for the swing frame arm 14 of the swing frame assembly 12. The kit may also include additional components, such as bolts 3632a, bolts 3632b, etc.

[0219] Gliding rocking device with magnetic actuator

[0220] Figure 22A ,Figure 22B A gliding swing apparatus 2200 is shown having a magnetic drive and controller as described herein. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, similarly referenced and named components can be structurally and / or functionally similar to components of any other apparatus disclosed herein, such as apparatus 10. Apparatus 2200 includes a frame 2220 for holding and / or otherwise supporting a seat 2210, arms 2230, and a set of two housings 2240 suspended from frame 2220. As shown, magnetic drive 2235 is disposed inside one of housings 2240. Magnetic drive 2255 is shown as having (similar to apparatus 10) two magnets 2260 and one electromagnet 2265, but it should be understood that magnetic drive 2235 can be formed with three magnets and two electromagnets as described for apparatus 20, with one curved magnet and one electromagnet as described for apparatus 30, etc. Figure 22A 、 Figure 22B 、 Figure 23A Magnetic drive 2235 is shown as having (similar to apparatus 10) two magnets 2260 and one electromagnet 2265, but it should be understood that magnetic drive 2235 can be formed with three magnets and two electromagnets as described for apparatus 20, with one curved magnet and one electromagnet as described for apparatus 30, etc. Figures 16-18 Magnetic drive 2235 is shown as having (similar to apparatus 10) two magnets 2260 and one electromagnet 2265, but it should be understood that magnetic drive 2235 can be formed with three magnets and two electromagnets as described for apparatus 20, with one curved magnet and one electromagnet as described for apparatus 30, etc. Figure 19 Magnetic drive 2235 is shown as having (similar to apparatus 10) two magnets 2260 and one electromagnet 2265, but it should be understood that magnetic drive 2235 can be formed with three magnets and two electromagnets as described for apparatus 20, with one curved magnet and one electromagnet as described for apparatus 30, etc. Figures 20A-20D Magnetic drive 2235 is shown as having (similar to apparatus 10) two magnets 2260 and one electromagnet 2265, but it should be understood that magnetic drive 2235 can be formed with three magnets and two electromagnets as described for apparatus 20, with one curved magnet and one electromagnet as described for apparatus 30, etc.

[0221] As shown, magnetic drive 2235 can drive one of four swing arms 2230 suspended from frame 2220, but it should be understood that two or more swing arms 2330 can be attached to magnetic drive 2235, and that more than one magnetic drive can be used to drive two or more of the swing arms. For example, a magnetic drive 2235 can be disposed in each housing 2240.

[0222] Figure 23B One swing arm 2230 is shown as being rotatably coupled to frame 2220 about a pivot axis rod 2250, as well as two bearings (not shown) mounted to housing 2240. Similar to apparatus 10, electromagnet 2265 is disposed on pivot axis P— P', and permanent magnets 2260 are spaced at an angle of swing angle a from pivot axis P— P'. This rotatable coupling allows for free pivoting of gliding swing arm 2230, reciprocating swinging from front to back or back to front, gliding motion relative to gliding swing frame 2220, generally as shown by arc GS (see Figure 23A ).

[0223] Electromagnet 2265 is mounted to gliding swing frame 2220 via housing 2240, and magnets 2260 are mounted on magnet holder 2245, which in turn is coupled to swing arm 2230. Similar to apparatus 10, an encoder strip 2270 having a plurality of slots is connected to holder 2245 or one of magnets 2260. An optical sensor 2275 is mounted to glider housing 2240, and can be generally similar to sensor 35.

[0224] During use, e.g., when a user initiates operation of the swing 2200 via a user interface (not shown), the electromagnets 2265 are energized in a cyclical manner similar to that described for the device 10. This causes the swing arm 2230 to rotate through a swing angle a (as shown in the right direction R), in turn causing the swing to swing the seat 2210 back and forth along the arc GS, as shown in Figure 23B Figure 23B The swing arm 2230 and its corresponding longitudinal axis G-G' through the pivot axis P--P' are shown rotated through a swing angle a in the right direction R. Similar to the device 10, a controller similar to the controller 2102 controls and monitors operation of the magnetic drive 2235.

[0225] Swing with removable seat

[0226] Figures 25A-25D A swing 2500 is shown that includes a removable seat 2518. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, similarly referenced and named components can be similar in structure and / or function to any other device disclosed herein (e.g., the device 10).

[0227] First, while the seat 2518 is shown positioned such that the child / user in the seat faces away from the swing arm assembly 2512 during use, it should be appreciated that the seat can be repositioned, i.e., removed and reinstalled, to face the child / user in a different direction. For example, the seat can be positioned as shown, or positioned laterally such that the swing arm assembly 2512 is to the left or right of the child / user during use. The seat 2518 can also include a bounce mechanism, e.g., a spring-like mechanism, that allows the seat to bounce / bounce up and down once an adult / caregiver pulls the seat forward until the motion subsides. The seat 2518 can also include an adjustable reclining feature (e.g., between three reclining positions).

[0228] The seat 2518 can be installed to the swing arm 2517 Figure 25B ), or can be used as a standalone seat Figure 25A ). While the mount 2520b is shown as a plug-like connector and the mount 2520a is shown as a socket-like connector, the situation can be reversed, and generally any other suitable mating connector design can be employed. When attached to the swing mount 2520b, the seat 2518 can be reversibly latched and / or otherwise secured in place, and cannot be removed unless the latches / securing are released. Figure 25C 、 Figure 25D ​Additional details of the latching mechanism of the seat 2518 are shown, with the soft goods, toy bar, swing arm, and seat base hidden. Operation of the latching mechanism is referenced Figures 25A-25D and Figures 26A-26C are explained, additional details of the mounts 2520a, 2520b that allow for latching are also shown.

[0229] The latching / latch mechanism includes an actuator / switch 2545 (e.g., a depressible button, lever, slider, and / or the like) that is pivotally coupled to the seat pan 2530 and allows a caregiver / user to actuate the latch / tightener 2555. A cable 2550 is connected at one end to the switch 2545 and extends through a curved tube 2535 to the mount 2520a, where the tube 2535 is curved to accommodate the child during use and also serves to connect the seat pan 2530 to the seat mount 2520a. It should also be understood that while the latching mechanism shown here is a single mechanism formed on one of the tubes 2535 of the seat 2518, it can similarly be formed on the opposite tube of the seat (see Figure 25C , Figure 25D ) as well.

[0230] The second end of the cable 2550 is attached to the latch 2555, shown here as a V-shaped tightener that can pivot about its base 2555a, i.e., the base is rotatably fixed to the seat mount 2520a, which can be rotated back and forth when the caregiver squeezes and releases the switch 2545. The V-shaped latch 2555 also includes a first arm 2555b and a second arm 2555c. The second end of the cable 2550 is attached to a hooked end 2555d of the second arm 2555c. When the seat 2518 is mounted to the rest of the device (see Figure 26B ), the user has not engaged the switch 2545, the latch 2555 is held against the swing frame 2520b by pressure exerted by the first arm 2555b, which can be a resiliently flexible finger / spring. The second arm 2555b of the latch 2555 protrudes into a latch sleeve 2560 formed in the swing device mount 2520b, which prevents the swing arm mount 2520b from being detached and / or pulled away from the seat mount 2520a Figure 26B ). To remove the seat 2518 from the seat mount 2520a, the caregiver can squeeze or otherwise engage the switch 2555, which in turn pulls the cable 2550, which in turn pulls the latch arm 2555c out of the latch sleeve 2560. With the latch 2555 disengaged in this manner, the swing device mount 2520b and the seat mount 2520a can be separated Figure 26C

[0231] Magnet design

[0232] Figure 27A ​、 Figure 27B It is shown that having planar permanent magnets, such as magnets 52, 53 shown with respect to device 10, can not be able to maintain a consistent air gap with the electromagnets. Another way to explain this is that the planar faces on the magnets and the opposing electromagnets that move along an arc cause different spaces between them, not only at different degrees of alignment, but also between different portions of their respective poles / faces. As shown in these figures, the variation in air gap / separation gap AG between magnet 2732 as it rotates about pivot axis P— P' and opposing face of electromagnet 2741 can vary in the range of + / - 0.025 inches, depending on the rotational position of magnet 2732 and permanent magnet 2741. The variable air gap between one or more permanent magnets and one or more electromagnets can result in a variable magnetic force between them that is reduced at points and times where the air gap is larger, and vice versa.

[0233] Figure 28 An example method of eliminating and / or minimizing the variation in air gap AG is shown. It is shown here that any one of magnets 2731-2733 can be modified to include a curved face 2835, resulting in (here) magnet design 2831. The curvature of curved face 2835 can be substantially concentric with pivot axis P— P'. Then when magnet 2831 is rotated about the pivot axis, the separation gap AG between magnet 2831 and electromagnet 2742 is substantially uniform, at about 0.050". In some cases, electromagnet 2742 can also have a corresponding curvature that is concentric with pivot axis P— P', which can result in additional uniformity in the magnetic interaction between magnet 2831 and electromagnet 2744.

[0234] Figure 29 An additional design and design variation of representative magnet 2731 is shown that helps to maintain a consistent air gap AG. Magnet 2831 includes a curved face 2835, as explained with respect to Figure 28 Magnet 2841 has a chamfered face 2845, i.e., its face is not a smooth and continuous curved face, but rather is composed of multiple planar components that meet at edges to define a discontinuous curve. In another design, magnet 2851 includes a curved face and a hole 2855 for threading the magnet 2851 to a frame / holder of a magnetic drive, as described herein. Figure 29 It is also shown that magnets 2831, 2841, and 2861 have detents / ribs 2848 on their top faces, without any portion protruding beyond the curved face of the magnet. Magnet 2861 can be similar to magnet 2831 with curved face 2835, except that ribs 2858 on magnet 2861 are formed on different sides relative to magnet 2831. As explained with respect to magnet 2831 in Figure 29 The detents 2848 can engage with retaining ribs 2865 of a magnetic drive in order to securely hold magnet 2831 in place during use, as explained with respect to magnet 2831 in

[0235] Figure 30 It is shown that a curved metal cover 3050 can be used as a cover on the plane of the permanent magnet, rather than forming a curved magnet. In this way, an existing planar magnet can be converted to a curved magnet for use in the magnetic drive disclosed herein and to allow for a consistent separation gap AG between the magnet and the electromagnet of the magnetic drive. The size and shape of the metal cover 3050 is designed such that when assembled a detent 3048 is formed on the plane of the magnet, as explained for Figure 29 As explained, this helps to secure the magnet to the magnetic drive components. While a curved magnet is shown here that produces a magnet 2831 similar to Figure 29 it should be understood that such a cover can be designed to produce magnets 2841, 2851, and / or 2861.

[0236] CONCLUSION

[0237] While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other methods and / or structures encompassed by this application. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the various inventive features disclosed herein can be used with and / or in various combinations with other inventive features to produce yet further inventive embodiments. Accordingly, many modifications and variations of this application can be made in light of this disclosure without departing from its spirit or scope. More particularly, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the application can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. The scope of the application is defined by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all variations and equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0238] Moreover, various inventive concepts can be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method can be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments can be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which can include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as being performed sequentially in illustrative embodiments.

[0239] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0240] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the specification and in claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."

[0241] The phrase "and / or," as used herein in the specification and in claims, should be understood to mean "either or both of" when applied to a list of two or more items, and "at least one of" or "one or more of" when applied to a list of two or more items. When used in a list of two or more items, "or" can be interpreted to mean "at least one of" the listed items. When used in a list of two or more items, "and / or" can be interpreted to mean "one or more of the listed items" and, additionally, can be interpreted to mean "at least one of the listed items" or "one or more of the listed items" or, additionally, can be interpreted to mean "one of the listed items." In addition, the phrase "one or more of, as used herein in the specification and in claims, should be understood to mean "at least one" or "one or more," unless explicitly indicated to the contrary.

[0242] As used in this specification and claim, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" when used in a list of two or more items. For example, a list of "a or b" is intended to mean "at least one of a or b" and "a or b, but not both a and b" is intended to mean "at least one of a or b but not both a and b." In addition, the term "one or more of, as used herein in the specification and in claims, should be understood to mean "at least one" or "one or more," unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. As used in this specification and claim, the phrase "at least one of" followed by a list using the term "comprises at least one of" precedes the list and means one or more members of the list.

[0243] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean that at least one element from among the list of elements is present, and that no more than one element from the list of elements can be excluded. The phrase “at least one” should also be understood as allowing for optional inclusion of elements from the list of elements, regardless of whether any of the elements from the list of elements are specifically mentioned. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0244] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “providing,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

Claims

1. A swinging device (10), comprising: Magnetic actuator (20), the magnetic actuator comprising: Electromagnet (51), and Multiple permanent magnets (52, 53); and A controller (2102), coupled to the electromagnet (51), activates the electromagnet (51) by applying an activation current of polarity, thereby initiating movement of at least a portion of the rocking device (10), the polarity being selectable from a first polarity and a second polarity, the controller (2102) being configured to: A1) The initial situation of applying an activation current with the first polarity; A2) In the initial case of applying the activation current, determine whether at least said portion of the rocking device (10) has moved at least a predetermined amount from the initial position of at least said portion of the rocking device (10); A3) In the initial condition of applying the activation current, a timer is started; if, after a predetermined time since the start of the timer, at least the portion of the swing device (10) has not moved by at least the predetermined amount, the polarity of the activation current is switched to the second polarity; and A4) Repeat A2) and A3) until it is determined in A2) that the swing device (10) has moved at least the predetermined amount.

2. The swing device according to claim 1, further comprising: Multiple optical sensors are coupled to the controller, the multiple optical sensors including: The first light source is used to emit a first beam of light that propagates along the first optical path; A first detector, separated from the first light source and disposed in the first optical path, is used to detect the first light beam; A second light source is used to emit a second beam along a second optical path, the second optical path being substantially parallel to the first optical path and offset relative to the first optical path by a separation distance; A second detector, separated from the second light source and disposed in the second optical path, is used to detect the second light beam; as well as An optical encoder strip, disposed in the first optical path and the second optical path, is used to modulate the detection of the first beam by the first detector to affect the state change of the first detector, and to modulate the detection of the second beam by the second detector to affect the state change of the second detector. The controller is further configured to, in A2), determine whether at least said portion of the swing device has moved by at least said predetermined amount by detecting a state change of at least one of the first detector and the second detector.

3. The swinging device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is also configured to, when it is determined in A2) that the swing device has moved at least the predetermined amount: A5) Determine whether the part of the swing device has changed the direction of motion of the swing device (10).

4. The swinging device according to claim 3, wherein, The controller is also configured to repeat A2) and A3) when it is determined in A5) that the portion of the rocking device has not changed the direction of motion of the rocking device (10).

5. The swinging device according to claim 3, wherein, The controller is also configured to, when it is determined in A2) that the swing device has moved at least the predetermined amount: A6) Increase the swing angle measurement value associated with the motion of the portion of the swing device.

6. The swinging device according to claim 5, wherein, The controller is also configured to, when it is determined in A5) that the direction of motion of the portion of the swing device has changed: A7) Switch the polarity of the activation current applied to the electromagnet.

7. The swinging device according to claim 6, wherein, The controller is also configured to, after A7): A8) If the measured swing angle exceeds a predetermined set point, the activation current is set to zero.

8. The swinging device according to claim 7, wherein, The controller is also configured to repeat A2) and reset and restart the timer after the activation current is set to zero in A8).

9. The swinging device according to claim 7, wherein, The controller is also configured to, after A7): A9) If the measured swing angle is less than the predetermined set point, then the activation current is modulated.

10. The swinging device according to claim 9, wherein, The controller is also configured to modulate the activation current in A9 in the following manner: The error value is calculated based on the measured swing angle and the predetermined set point; Based on the error value, calculate one or more of the proportional term, differential term, or integral term; and The activation current is modulated based on one or more of the proportional term, the differential term, or the integral term.

11. The swinging device according to claim 9, wherein, The controller is also configured to repeat A2) and A3) after A9) modulates the activation current.

12. The swinging device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is also configured to determine when the direction of motion of the portion of the rocking device changes during the motion, without determining when the portion of the rocking device passes through the equilibrium position of the motion.

13. The swinging device according to claim 1, wherein, The predetermined time is based on the desired frequency of the motion of the swing device (10).

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