Flexible Alternating-Pole Magnet Array for Thin Wearable Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic components for wearable devices are often too rigid, heavy, and prone to demagnetization, failing to provide the necessary magnetic field strength and flexibility required for thin, lightweight, and unobtrusive designs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible magnetic component comprising a magnetizable powder with a rare earth element and a polymer binder, allowing for high magnetic field strength and flexibility, with a design that includes alternating magnetic polarities and a flexible polymer binder, enabling elongation beyond 20% without permanent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional magnetic materials and component designs are used, then magnetic field strength and magnetic attractive force can be achieved, but the components become heavy, large, and rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining magnetizable powder (including rare earth elements) with a polymer binder to create a flexible magnetic component. This composite structure achieves high magnetic field strength while maintaining flexibility and reducing weight, resolving the contradiction between magnetic force and weight.
2Force
If traditional magnetic materials and component designs are used, then magnetic field strength and magnetic attractive force can be achieved, but the components become large and rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The composite of magnetizable powder and polymer binder creates a material that is both magnetically strong and mechanically flexible, allowing the component to be thin and conformable while maintaining high magnetic attractive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the magnetic material by using fine powder particles (5-50 micrometers) and optimizing the polymer binder composition, enabling the material to achieve both high magnetic performance and flexibility.
3Force
If traditional magnetic materials are used, then desired magnetic performance can be achieved, but the components are prone to demagnetization over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates rare earth elements (such as neodymium, samarium, or dysprosium) in the magnetizable powder to enhance coercivity and resistance to demagnetization. The polymer binder also provides protective properties that prevent degradation from environmental factors.
4Shape
If magnetic components are made thin and flexible, then user comfort and aesthetic appeal are improved, but magnetic field strength and magnetic attractive force are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates alternating pole arrays with concentrated magnetic charges at specific locations, optimizing the magnetic field distribution to achieve high attractive force in thin components. The polymer binder composition is also optimized locally to enhance magnetic properties while maintaining flexibility.
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
The solution provides a thin, lightweight, and flexible magnetic component with enhanced magnetic field strength and durability, suitable for wearable devices, offering improved user comfort and aesthetic appeal while maintaining high performance.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetizable powder that includes a rare earth element... A first magnetic field strength adjacent to the first surface can be at least 3 times greater than a second magnetic field strength adjacent to a second surface
Implementation Method 2
The flexible magnetic component can also elongate greater than 20% before a permanent deformation occurs
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible magnetic component can include a magnetizable powder including a rare earth element. The flexible magnetic component can also include a polymer binder. The flexible magnetic component can define a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first magnetic field adjacent to the first surface can have a field strength at least 3 times greater than a field strength of a second magnetic field adjacent to the second surface, and the flexible magnetic component can elongate greater than 20% before a permanent deformation occurs.