Electropermanent Magnet and MR Fluid Input Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices face limitations in performance and control due to manufacturing tolerances, reliability issues, and high power requirements, particularly in wireless devices, despite advancements in mechanical and electromagnet-based designs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly with a magnetorheological (MR) material, where the EPM generates a magnetic field that changes the viscosity of the MR material, allowing for dynamic control of resistance profiles in input elements, such as buttons and scroll wheels, without continuous power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electromagnets are used to provide dynamic control in input devices, then functionality and control are improved, but power requirements become very high which affects wireless device performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electropermanent magnets with magnetorheological fluid to create a hybrid system that merges the advantages of both technologies. The electropermanent magnet provides dynamic control capability while consuming minimal power, and the magnetorheological fluid translates the magnetic field changes into variable resistance profiles, achieving both adaptability and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the magnetic field strength parameter of the electropermanent magnet to control the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid. By varying the magnetic field intensity, the resistance profile of the input element can be dynamically adjusted without requiring continuous high power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and energy use
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical components are added to provide additional resistance control, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical resistance control mechanisms with a magnetic field-based system. Instead of using additional mechanical components like springs or friction elements, the system uses an electropermanent magnet to generate a magnetic field that directly influences the magnetorheological fluid's resistance properties, eliminating the need for complex mechanical degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses magnetorheological fluid, a composite material that changes its rheological properties in response to magnetic fields. This material allows for dynamic resistance control without mechanical complexity, as the fluid's internal structure changes in response to magnetic field variations, providing versatile resistance profiles with minimal mechanical components
3Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing tolerances are relaxed to reduce costs, then ease of manufacture is improved, but performance and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetorheological fluid acts as a self-adjusting element that compensates for manufacturing variations. The fluid's ability to dynamically change resistance based on magnetic field strength allows the system to self-correct for tolerances in mechanical component assembly, maintaining consistent performance without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter that can be precisely adjusted regardless of mechanical tolerances. By controlling the electropermanent magnet's field intensity, the system can achieve consistent resistance profiles even when mechanical components have manufacturing variations, thus maintaining reliability while easing manufacturing constraints
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 improved control and efficiency by allowing multiple resistance settings with minimal power usage, enhancing the performance and reliability of input devices without the need for additional mechanical degrees of freedom or continuous power, thus addressing the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetorheological (MR) material coupled to the input element, the MR material having a viscosity, where the viscosity of the MR material changes based on the magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly including a permanent magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and a magnetizing assembly controlled by the one or more processors and configured to control the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention include a computer peripheral device comprising an input element that operates based on a performance characteristic, an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly including a permanent magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and a magnetizing assembly configured to set an intensity of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, and a magnetorheological (MR) material coupled to the input element. The MR material has a viscosity that changes based on the magnetic field and affects the performance characteristic of the input element.