Shape-transformable switch apparatus based on magnetorheological elastomer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12125637-B2
Application number	US-202218061949-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 5, 2022
Priority date	Feb 7, 2022
Publication date	Oct 22, 2024
Grant date	Oct 22, 2024

Abstract

In an embodiment a shape-transformable switch apparatus includes an electromagnet arranged inside a housing, wherein the electromagnet has an outer circumferential surface wound with a solenoid coil and is configured to provide a magnetic field when a power is applied to the solenoid coil, a Magnetorheological Elastomer (MRE) disposed on an upper portion of the electromagnet, wherein the MRE is configured to change from an initial soft state to a relatively hard state when the power is applied to the solenoid coil and configured to be pressed and to move upward when the electromagnet moves upward and a switch cover disposed on an upper portion of the housing, the switch cover configured to form a switch shape and to protrude outward when the MRE moves in an upward direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A shape-transformable switch apparatus comprising:
an electromagnet arranged inside a housing, wherein the electromagnet has an outer circumferential surface wound with a solenoid coil and is configured to provide a magnetic field when a power is applied to the solenoid coil;
a Magnetorheological Elastomer (MRE) disposed on an upper portion of the electromagnet, wherein the MRE is configured to:
change from an initial soft state to a relatively hard state when the power is applied to the solenoid coil, and
be pressed and move in an upward direction when the electromagnet moves upward; and

a switch cover disposed on an upper portion of the housing, the switch cover configured to form a switch shape thereby protruding outward when the MRE moves in the upward direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a movement guide connected to the electromagnet inside the housing, wherein the movement guide is configured to provide a movement path for the electromagnet so that the electromagnet is able to move in the upward direction or in a downward direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the movement guide comprises a pair of upright movement guides inside the housing, and wherein the pair of movement guides is coupled to guide members arranged at opposite end portions of the electromagnet respectively.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a power supply, wherein the power supply is configured to turn off the power to the solenoid coil when an external pressure is applied to the MRE while the switch cover is in the switch shape thereby allowing the MRE to move in the downward direction along the movement guide.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the switch cover is configured to change from the switch shape to an initial shape when the MRE is changed to the initial state.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply configured to supply the power to the solenoid coil.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnet is an electro-permanent magnet (EPM) which is configured to change N-S polarity based on the power applied to the solenoid coil.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the housing comprises a mounting hole in a center, and wherein the MRE is arranged in and coupled to the mounting hole.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the MRE is configured to protrude from the mounting hole when the MRE is pressed by the electromagnet and when the MRE changes to the relatively hard state by the electromagnet.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the switch cover comprises an elastic material, and wherein the switch cover is configured to change its shape from an initial state to a protruding state when the MRE protrudes outward through the mounting hole.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor disposed inside the switch cover, the sensor configured to sense a distance of an approaching object.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure a capacitance based on the distance of the approaching object.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the sensor comprises a carbon electrode layer attached to an inner side of the switch cover.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the carbon electrode layer is directly attached to the inner side of the switch cover.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the switch cover comprises an elastic plastic material.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a power supply is configured to provide the power to the electromagnet when the sensor detects the approaching object thereby allowing the MRE to move in the upward direction.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect the approaching object by a change in capacitance.

Assignees

• Kia Corp
• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Univ Korea Ind Univ Coop Found

Inventors

• Im Yoon
• Choi Yong Won
• Kim Myung Hoe
• Kim Joo Hwa
• Lee Seok Han
• Ko Hyun U
• Kim Sang Youn

Classifications

• H01F7/06

  Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets {(electric coils H01F5/00; devices for holding workpieces using electric force B23Q3/15; load-engaging elements for lifting articles electromagnetically B66C1/06; electromagnetic couplings F16D27/00; magnetic brakes F16D63/002; electromagnetically operated valves F16K11/24, F16K31/00; analysing materials by magnetic means G01N27/72, G01N27/80; electromagnets for winding mechanical clocks G04C1/02; electromagnetic relays H01H51/00; windings for salient poles of dynamo-electric machines H02K3/18; electromagnets for telegraphic communication H04L; for arc lamps H05B31/28)} · CPC title

• H01F7/081

  Magnetic constructions · CPC title

• H01F7/16

  Rectilinearly-movable armatures (H01F7/17 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01F1/44

  of magnetic liquids, e.g. ferrofluids (particles in a bonding agent H01F1/28, H01F1/36, {H01F1/37}) · CPC title

• H01F1/447

  characterised by magnetoviscosity, e.g. magnetorheological, magnetothixotropic, magnetodilatant liquids (electrorheological fluids C10M171/001) · CPC title