Electronic Device Drop Orientation Control via Electromagnetic Torque

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices are susceptible to breakage when dropped due to their orientation aligning with critical angle ranges upon impact, leading to high probabilities of damage or failure during accidental drops.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a magnetic-field generator and coil within the device generates impulse rotational torques to re-orient the device outside critical angle ranges during free fall, utilizing physical sensors to detect the drop and control the magnetic forces to adjust the device's orientation before impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the device is dropped in a critical angle range, then the impact force is concentrated on vulnerable components, but the device structure cannot prevent this orientation-dependent breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice reliability during dropVSAvoidimpact damage from critical angle orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of drop conditions using sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and activates the magnetic-field generator before impact occurs. By detecting the onset of free fall and predicting critical angle orientation, the system applies rotational torque in advance to reorient the device, preventing the harmful impact orientation from being achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces passive mechanical drop protection structures with an active electromagnetic control system. Instead of relying on mechanical reinforcement that adds weight and complexity, the system uses magnetic-field generators and coils to create impulse rotational torques that actively reorient the device during free fall, substituting mechanical prevention with electromagnetic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If passive structural protection is used to prevent breakage, then the device design becomes more complex and heavier, but active orientation control during free fall is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreakage resistanceVSAvoidprotection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive mechanical drop protection structures with an active electromagnetic control system. Instead of relying on mechanical reinforcement that adds weight and complexity, the system uses magnetic-field generators and coils to create impulse rotational torques that actively reorient the device during free fall, substituting mechanical prevention with electromagnetic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses its own onboard sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) to detect drop conditions and its own magnetic-field generator to perform the reorientation maneuver. The system is self-contained and autonomous, requiring no external intervention or complex external protection structures, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the device orientation is not controlled during free fall, then the device may strike within critical angle ranges causing breakage, but adding active control systems increases energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrop impact safetyVSAvoidenergy consumption for orientation control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic-field generator operates in periodic impulse mode rather than continuously. The system activates the magnetic-field generator only during detected free fall events, applying brief rotational torques at critical moments to achieve reorientation. This periodic activation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining effective drop protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of drop conditions using sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and activates the magnetic-field generator before impact occurs. By detecting the onset of free fall and predicting critical angle orientation, the system applies rotational torque in advance to reorient the device, preventing the harmful impact orientation from being achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces the likelihood of breakage by ensuring the device strikes a surface outside its critical angle range, thereby minimizing damage from drops, as demonstrated by reduced breakage probabilities in experimentation.

Implementation Method 1

The integration of a magnetic-field generator and coil within the device generates impulse rotational torques to re-orient the device outside critical angle ranges during free fall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS10043610B2Imposing a rotational force during a drop of an electronic device to reduce breakage

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

An apparatus detects a free-fall state of an electronic device, determines an orientation of the electronic device with reference to gravity when the free-fall state is detected, and predicts that the electronic device will strike a surface within a critical angle range. The prediction is based on the detection of the free-fall state and on the orientation of the electronic device. An electromagnetic torque is generated within the electronic device that re-orients the electronic device outside the critical angle. The apparatus comprises a processing system, a free-fall sensor coupled to the processing system, an orientation sensor coupled to the processing system, a magnetic-field generator, and a first coil that is electrically coupled to the processing system.