Device Force Control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021125762-A1
Application number	US-201916664377-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 25, 2019
Priority date	Oct 25, 2019
Publication date	Apr 29, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

The description relates to devices and progressive forces between device portions. In one example, an extent of compression of a compressible material component can affect magnetic attraction between the device portions.

First claim

1 . A device, comprising:
a first portion and a second portion having hinge ends that are rotationally coupled by a hinge assembly so that the first and second portions can be rotated between an open orientation where the first and second portions are oriented away from one another to a closed orientation where the first portion is positioned against the second portion; and, a progressive closure assembly positioned on distal ends of the first and second portions, the progressive closure assembly comprising magnetic elements in both the first and second portions that provide a force to keep the first and second portions in the closed orientation and the force changes over a life of the device.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the force increases over the life.

3 . The device of claim 2 , further comprising a compressible material component interposed between the magnetic elements.

4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the compressible material component compresses over the life thereby decreasing a distance between the magnetic elements in the closed orientation.

5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the compressible material component comprises a solid foam.

6 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the magnetic elements comprise a first magnetic element on a housing of the first portion and a second magnetic element on a housing of the second portion, and where the compressible material is positioned between the second magnetic element and the housing of the second portion.

7 . The device of claim 6 , further comprising a biasing element that applies a force on the second magnetic element toward the first magnetic element.

8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the biasing element comprises a compression spring.

9 . The device of claim 6 , wherein one of the first and second magnetic elements comprises a magnet and the other of the first and second magnetic elements comprises a ferromagnetic material, or wherein each of the first and second magnetic elements comprises a magnet.

10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the force decreases over the life.

11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic elements comprises a first magnetic element positioned in the first portion and a second magnetic element positioned in the second portion and further comprising a compressible material component secured to an opposite side of the second magnetic element as the first magnetic element.

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the compressible material component comprises a solid foam.

13 . The device of claim 11 , further comprising a biasing element creating a force on the second magnetic element and the compressible material component in a direction away from the first magnetic element.

14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the biasing element comprises a metal spring.

15 . A device, comprising:
a first portion and a second portion that are rotationally coupled by a hinge assembly so that the first and second portions can be rotated between an open orientation where the first and second portions are oriented away from one another to a closed orientation where the first portion is positioned against the second portion; and, a progressive closure assembly comprising a first magnetic element positioned on the first portion and a second magnetic element positioned on the second portion, the progressive closure assembly further comprising a compressible solid foam positioned on the second portion between the first and second magnetic elements such that compression of the solid foam causes a magnetic force between the first and second magnetic elements in the closed orientation to increase over a life of the device.

16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the solid foam is positioned between and secured to a housing of the second portion and the second magnetic element.

17 . The device of claim 16 , further comprising a biasing element forcing the second magnetic element against the solid foam.

18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the biasing element comprises a spring or a resilient material.

19 . A device, comprising:
a first portion and a second portion that are rotationally coupled by a hinge assembly so that the first and second portions can be rotated between an open orientation where the first and second portions are rotated away from one another to a closed orientation where the first portion is positioned against the second portion; a first magnetic element positioned on the first portion and a second magnetic element positioned on the second portion; and, a compressible solid foam secured to the second portion and to the second magnetic element on an opposite side from the first magnetic element such that compression of the solid foam pulls the second magnetic element away from the first magnetic element and causes a magnetic force between the first and second magnetic elements in the closed orientation to decrease.

20 . The device of claim 19 , further comprising a biasing element positioned between a housing of the second portion that is proximate to the first portion and the second magnetic element.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Singla Aseem

Classifications

• H04M1/0214

  Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position (combined with translation movement H04M1/0235) · CPC title

• G06F1/1616 Primary

  with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position · CPC title

• E05B65/0067

  for portable computers, e.g. for locking the screen panel to the keyboard panel · CPC title

• E05C19/16

  Devices holding the wing by magnetic or electromagnetic attraction {(E05C17/56 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• H01F7/02 Primary

  Permanent magnets {[PM]} · CPC title