Input Element Resistance Control Using EPM and MR Fluid
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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 electromagnets and mechanical designs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of electropermanent magnets (EPM) and magnetorheological (MR) materials in input devices, where the EPM assembly generates a magnetic field that changes the viscosity of MR materials, allowing for dynamic control of resistance profiles and efficient power usage by maintaining the magnetic field without continuous power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electromagnets are used to provide restoring forces and control functionality in input devices, then performance and control capability are improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the magnetic field controllable and adjustable rather than static. The magnetizing assembly can dynamically adjust the magnetic field strength to provide different restoring forces for button presses, scroll wheel rotations, and other input operations, enabling adaptive control that responds to user interactions while optimizing power consumption based on actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic field parameters (strength, duration, intensity) to achieve different operational modes. By varying the magnetic field parameters through the magnetizing assembly, the system can provide strong restoring forces when needed while maintaining low power consumption during idle periods, thus resolving the contradiction between control capability and power usage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical springs and magnets are used to provide restoring forces, then device functionality is enhanced, but manufacturing precision and reliability are affected by tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical springs with an electromagnetic system consisting of a permanent magnet and a magnetizing assembly. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical tolerances in spring components, as the magnetic field can be precisely controlled electronically. The magnetizing assembly can provide consistent restoring forces regardless of manufacturing variations, thereby improving performance consistency while maintaining enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanent magnet provides a baseline magnetic field that requires no external power source, while the magnetizing assembly supplements this field only when needed for specific operations. This self-service approach allows the system to maintain functionality without continuous power input, reducing reliance on precise mechanical components while ensuring consistent performance through electronic control.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electropermanent magnets with magnetizing assemblies are used to control magnetic field intensity, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the permanent magnet and the magnetizing assembly into a single integrated electropermanent magnet system. The permanent magnet provides a persistent magnetic field without power consumption, while the magnetizing assembly (typically a coil) can temporarily enhance or modify this field when needed. This combination achieves low power consumption by eliminating the need for continuous power input while maintaining the capability for dynamic control, and the integrated design minimizes the added complexity compared to separate components.
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 performance characteristics for input devices, such as buttons, keys, and scroll wheels, with customizable resistance profiles and reduced power consumption, enhancing user interaction and device reliability.
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
the magnetizing assembly further includes a coil and an electric circuit coupled to the coil, where the magnetizing assembly changes the intensity of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet by changing at least one of an amplitude or duration of a current pulse through the coil
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.