Electro-permanent-magnet-based force profile for an input element on an input device
US12176143B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2023 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2215/05
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An input device comprising a processor(s), an input element, an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly including: a permanent magnet operable to generate a magnetic field; and a magnetizing assembly configured to set a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, a first ferromagnetic element, and a second ferromagnetic element. The first ferromagnetic element is configured to part and move away from the second ferromagnetic element as the input element is depressed. When the EPM assembly magnetizes the permanent magnet to a first polarity, the first and second ferromagnetic elements are magnetically attracted to each other and provide an attracting that magnetically opposes the first and second ferromagnetic elements from parting, and when the EPM assembly magnetizes the permanent magnet to a second polarity, the first and second ferromagnetic elements are not magnetically attracted to each other and do not magnetically oppose the first and second ferromagnetic elements from parting.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.