Switchable magnetic lock
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computing device comprising:
- a base having a first surface and a switchable magnetic lock or a magnetically permeable material;
a display having a second surface and whichever of the switchable magnetic lock or the magnetically permeable material that is not in the base;
a hinge connecting the base and the display, the hinge configured to rotate the display relative to the base effective to rotate the second surface to and from the first surface;
an actuator capable of rotating a magnet of the switchable magnet lock between a lock state and an unlock state; and
a controller capable of receiving a selection and controlling the actuator, the selection initiating a switch of the switchable magnetic lock between the lock state and the unlock state;
the lock state locking the first surface to the second surface by completing a first magnetic circuit between a permanent magnet of the switchable magnetic lock and the magnetically permeable material using magnetic-field directors when the first surface and the second surface are made proximate by the hinge; and
the unlock state not locking the first surface to the second surface by completing a second magnetic circuit between the permanent magnet and the magnetic-field directors without the magnetically permeable material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This document describes techniques using, and apparatuses including, switchable magnetic locks. These techniques and apparatuses can enable low or no power consumption and a seamless design for locking and unlocking of devices one to the other, such as computing devices and peripherals.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computing device comprising:
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a base having a first surface and a switchable magnetic lock or a magnetically permeable material; a display having a second surface and whichever of the switchable magnetic lock or the magnetically permeable material that is not in the base; a hinge connecting the base and the display, the hinge configured to rotate the display relative to the base effective to rotate the second surface to and from the first surface; an actuator capable of rotating a magnet of the switchable magnet lock between a lock state and an unlock state; and a controller capable of receiving a selection and controlling the actuator, the selection initiating a switch of the switchable magnetic lock between the lock state and the unlock state; the lock state locking the first surface to the second surface by completing a first magnetic circuit between a permanent magnet of the switchable magnetic lock and the magnetically permeable material using magnetic-field directors when the first surface and the second surface are made proximate by the hinge; and the unlock state not locking the first surface to the second surface by completing a second magnetic circuit between the permanent magnet and the magnetic-field directors without the magnetically permeable material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computing device comprising:
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a base having a first surface and a switchable magnetic lock or a magnetically permeable material; a display having a second surface and whichever of the switchable magnetic lock or the magnetically permeable material that is not in the base; a hinge connecting the base and the display, the hinge configured to rotate the display relative to the base effective to rotate the second surface to and from the first surface; an actuator capable of rotating a magnet of the switchable magnet lock between a lock state and an unlock state; a sensor configured to indicate a state of the switchable magnetic lock; and a controller capable of sensing the state of the switchable magnetic lock, receiving a selection, and controlling the actuator, the selection initiating a switch of the switchable magnetic lock between the lock state and the unlock state; the lock state locking the first surface to the second surface by completing a first magnetic circuit between a permanent magnet of the switchable magnetic lock and the magnetically permeable material using magnetic-field directors when the first surface and the second surface are made proximate by the hinge; and the unlock state not locking the first surface to the second surface by completing a second magnetic circuit between the permanent magnet and the magnetic-field directors without the magnetically permeable material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An electronic device comprising:
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a base having a first surface and a switchable magnetic lock or a magnetically permeable material, the switchable magnetic lock comprising; a diametrically magnetized magnet; magnetic-field directors, the magnetic-field directors configured to direct a magnetic field of the diametrically magnetized magnet to and away from the magnetically permeable material; and an actuator capable of rotating the diametrically magnetized magnet between a lock state and an unlock state; a display having a second surface and whichever of the switchable magnetic lock or the magnetically permeable material that is not in the base; a hinge connecting the base and the display, the hinge configured to rotate the display relative to the base effective to rotate the second surface to and from the first surface; and a controller capable of receiving a selection and controlling the actuator, the selection initiating a switch of the switchable magnetic lock between the lock state and the unlock state; the lock state locking the first surface to the second surface by using the magnetic-field directors to direct the magnetic field effective to attract the magnetically permeable material to the diametrically magnetized magnet; and the unlock state not locking the first surface to the second surface by using the magnetic-field directors to direct the magnetic field effective to null the magnetic field between the diametrically magnetized magnet the magnetically permeable material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification