Magnetic Contact Groups for Transformable Display Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing volumetric transformable display electronic devices face reliability and stability issues due to the use of rigid mechanical axles and spring contacts, leading to frequent wear and instability in power and data flow during transformative rotations.

Innovation Solution

The use of magnetic contact groups, specifically ball magnets or spherical connectors, allows for self-rotating magnetic connections between peripheral elements, eliminating the need for mechanical axles and reducing wear, while ensuring reliable electrical connections and durable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid mechanical axles and spring contacts are used to support power supply and data exchange between peripheral elements, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the reliability and stability of power and data flow deteriorate due to frequent wear during transformative rotations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of power and data flowVSAvoidcomplexity of contact mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact system (axles and spring contacts) with a magnetic field-based contactless power and data transmission system. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and instability during rotations while maintaining structural simplicity, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If rigid mechanical axles are used to attach center cubelets, then the attachment is simple and secure, but wear and instability increase during frequent transformative rotations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of attachmentVSAvoidstability of power and data flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical axles with magnetic field-based attachment and contactless transmission. This eliminates the wear and instability associated with mechanical rotations while maintaining secure attachment, resolving the contradiction between durability and reliability during frequent transformations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If spring mechanical contacts are used for power supply and data exchange, then the connection is flexible and adaptable, but wear and electrical connection instability increase during frequent rotations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of connectionVSAvoidstability of electrical connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces spring mechanical contacts with a magnetic field-based contactless transmission system. This maintains the flexibility and adaptability of connections during rotations while eliminating wear and electrical instability, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 configuration enhances the stability, reliability, and durability of the electronic device by enabling secure fit and reliable electrical connections between peripheral elements, maintaining continuous operation and reducing the risk of mechanical failure.

Implementation Method 1

The contact group of said peripheral elements are formed by magnets, adapted to connect adjacent peripheral elements to each other and simultaneously transmitting electrical signals therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

transmitting electrical signals therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

spheres or spherical beads, or balls, placed inside spherical sockets allowing for free spatial orientation ('ball magnets' hereinafter). Such connector arrangement enables self-rotating magnets to adjust their spatial orientation interacting with magnets of another element when the two are brought in proximity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11819767B2Electronic device with a transformable multi-planar segmented display

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 CUBIOS INC

AI summary

An electronic device with a transformable multi-planar display includes a central body and peripheral elements. Each peripheral element has outward-facing sides and inward-facing sides. Each outward-facing side comprises a microprocessor-controllable electronic display screen. Each inward-facing side includes a contact group of electrical contacts arranged to engage with another contact group of electrical contacts of another other one of the peripheral elements. Each contact group includes a plurality of permanent magnets, a plurality of sockets recessed in a corresponding inward-facing side, each socket defining a cavity that houses a corresponding permanent magnet and has an aperture through which at least a portion of the housed permanent magnet is permitted to protrude. A retention spring is situated within each socket and coupled to the housed permanent magnet. The retention spring exerts a biasing force to retain the permanent magnet in a recessed position when there is no engagement with another contact group.