Foldable Magnetic Closure with Dual-Pole Force Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic closure mechanisms in foldable electronic devices often require excessive force to open due to the presence of screen guards, affecting user accessibility and usability, especially for individuals with physical disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic closure system utilizing two pairs of magnets, one providing an attractive force and the other a repulsive force, with the second pair's pole size adjusted to counteract the attractive force at varying distances, ensuring the device remains closed with a screen guard and opens easily without one.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an increased closure force is used to compensate for screen guard presence, then the device remains closed reliably, but the force required to open the device increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic closure system transitions from a static single-force design to a dynamic dual-force system. The first magnetic element provides attraction throughout the range, while the second magnetic element provides repulsion that varies with distance. This dynamic interaction allows the system to adapt its net force based on the gap size, automatically providing high closure force when needed and low opening force when the gap is small.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the magnetic force parameter dynamically by introducing a second magnetic element with opposite polarity. The repulsive force from this element varies with the gap distance, effectively modulating the net magnetic force. When the gap is large (screen guard present), the repulsive force is weaker, allowing strong closure. When the gap is small (no screen guard), the repulsive force is stronger, reducing the opening force required.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a screen guard is added to protect the screen, then screen protection is improved, but the closure mechanism requires excessive force to open
Solution Approach 1:
The second magnetic element acts as an intermediary that mediates between the screen guard presence and the closure force. It introduces a repulsive force that counterbalances the attractive force in a distance-dependent manner, effectively decoupling the screen protection function from the excessive closure force problem. This intermediary magnetic element allows the system to accommodate the screen guard without requiring excessive opening force.
3Reliability
If the magnetic closure system is designed for strong closure force, then devices remain closed securely, but accessibility for persons with physical disabilities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic closure system transitions from a static single-force design to a dynamic dual-force system. The first magnetic element provides attraction throughout the range, while the second magnetic element provides repulsion that varies with distance. This dynamic interaction allows the system to adapt its net force based on the gap size, automatically providing high closure force when needed and low opening force when the gap is small.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the magnetic force parameter dynamically by introducing a second magnetic element with opposite polarity. The repulsive force from this element varies with the gap distance, effectively modulating the net magnetic force. When the gap is large (screen guard present), the repulsive force is weaker, allowing strong closure. When the gap is small (no screen guard), the repulsive force is stronger, reducing the opening force required.
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 system maintains the device in a closed position with a screen guard while allowing easy one-finger opening without, balancing magnetic forces for consistent usability regardless of screen guard presence.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic element...configured to provide an attractive magnetic force that biases the device in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
a second magnetic element...configured to provide a repulsive magnetic force that counteracts the attractive magnetic force of the first magnetic element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An improved method and system for providing a magnetic closure system for an electronic device (100) may include a first portion (130), a second portion (150), a connecting element (145) pivotally connecting the first portion to the second portion and configured to enable the electronic device to fold between a closed position and an open position, and a magnetic element (160, 165) for providing a closure force to bias the electronic device in the closed position. The magnetic element may include a first magnet pair and a second magnet pair, each of the first magnet pair and second magnet pair including a first magnet housed within the first portion and a second magnet housed within the second portion. The first magnet pair may provide an attractive magnetic force that biases the electronic device in the closed position, while the second magnet pair may provide a repelling magnetic force that partially counteracts the biasing from the attractive magnetic force as a gap between the first portion and the second portion decreases, and a pole size of the second magnet pair is smaller than a pole size of the first magnet pair.