Adjustable Magnetic Closure for Hinged Devices With Assisted Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in securing the screen or input interfaces with hinged designs that balance closure during travel with easy opening, as many secure latches are difficult to open, especially with one hand, and magnetic closure devices exhibit manufacturing variations leading to inconsistent performance.
Innovation Solution
A closure device featuring a first magnet and a housing with an adjustable second magnet, allowing translational or rotational movement to alter the magnetic force between the magnets, ensuring a consistent closure force while facilitating easy opening by adjusting the position or orientation of the second magnet relative to the first magnet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnetic closure device is used to hold the device in closed position, then the device can be securely closed during travel, but manufacturing variations produce a large range of closure device performance leading to inconsistent closure force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the closure device adjustable by allowing the user to reposition the magnet along the hinge axis through rotational movement of the housing. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the user to compensate for manufacturing variations and achieve the desired closure force, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows changing the parameter of magnet position along the hinge axis to adjust the closure force. By enabling users to modify the position parameter of the magnet, the system can achieve consistent closure performance despite variations in manufacturing tolerances.
2Reliability
If a secure latch is used to hold the device closed, then the device remains securely closed, but it becomes difficult to open particularly with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an assisted opening mechanism that provides dynamic assistance during the opening process. The assisted hinge delivers a push at a location far from the hinge axis, creating leverage that makes it easy to overcome the magnetic closure force and open the device, even with one hand, while maintaining secure closure when closed.
3Reliability
If the magnetic force between closure magnets is increased to ensure secure closing, then the device remains closed firmly, but the device becomes harder to open intentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an assisted hinge mechanism that provides dynamic leverage assistance during opening. By applying force at a location far from the hinge axis, the assisted hinge creates mechanical advantage that reduces the effort needed to overcome strong magnetic closure forces, resolving the contradiction between closure firmness and opening ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the closure force by changing the position of the magnet along the hinge axis rather than changing the magnetic strength itself. This dimensional adjustment allows optimization of closure firmness while maintaining manageable opening effort through proper positioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a secure closed position with adjustable magnetic force, ensuring the device remains closed until intentionally opened, enhancing user convenience and reducing the risk of unintended opening or damage.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic closure device can provide the closure force to hold the device in the closed state
Implementation Method 2
The movement of the second magnet relative to the top end of the housing adjusts the position or orientation of the second magnet relative to the first magnet to alter a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet
Data Source
Figure 1~2-2
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AI summary
A closure device includes a first magnet and a housing with a second magnet positioned therein. The first magnet is configured to be position in a first object and the housing is configured to be positioned in a second object. The housing has a top end and at least one adjustment mechanism connected to the housing that moves the second magnet in at least one translational direction or at least one rotational direction relative to the top end of the housing. The movement of the second magnet relative to the top end of the housing adjusts the position or orientation of the second magnet relative to the first magnet to alter a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet when the first magnet is positioned proximate the top end of the housing.