Switchable magnetic lock

• US 8,964,379 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2012
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Rihn, Bernard K., Dietz, Paul Henry, Bathiche, Steven Nabil, Gault, Joseph B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US13/589,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20140049894A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.56, 345/179, 335/288
• US Class Current: 361/679.56
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0067 for portable computers, e.g. for locking the screen panel to the keyboard panel
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/16 Devices holding the wing by magnetic or electromagnetic attraction E05C17/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 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 Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0263 Closures, bags, bands, engagement devices with male and female parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/04 Means for releasing the attractive force

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.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a retention structure;

a diametrically magnetized magnet having a magnetic field;

magnetic-field directors proximate the diametrically magnetized magnet and the retention structure;

an actuator capable of rotating the diametrically magnetized magnet between a first position and a second position, the first position causing the magnetic-field directors to null or substantially weaken the magnetic field and the second position causing the magnetic-field directors to direct the magnetic field to the retention structure; and

a controller capable of powering the actuator to rotate the diametrically magnetized magnet between the first position and the second position, the rotation capable of releasing a device having a magnetically permeable material from the retention structure or locking the device having the magnetically permeable material to the retention structure.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is capable of maintaining a lock of the device having the magnetically permeable material to the retention structure without using power.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the controller is further capable of receiving a selection, the selection to lock or unlock the device having the magnetically permeable material, and, responsive to the selection, powering the actuator.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3, further comprising a capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor capable of sensing contact of a user touching the device having the magnetically permeable material, and wherein the selection is receivable from the capacitive sensor and the controller is capable of powering the actuator effective to release the magnetically permeable material responsive to the selection.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 3, further comprising a magnetic load sensor capable of sensing a proximity of the device having the magnetically permeable material, and wherein the selection is receivable from the magnetic load sensor and the controller is capable of powering the actuator effective to lock the device having the magnetically permeable material to the retention structure responsive to the selection.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising a permanent magnet proximate to, or within, the retention structure, the permanent magnet providing a second magnetic field having a power substantially less than a power of the magnetic field of the diametrically magnetized magnet.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each of the field directors has an isolated magnetic circuit, the isolated magnetic circuits capable of directing the magnetic field of the diametrically magnetized magnet in a first direction nulling the magnetic field when in the first position and a second direction directing the magnetic field to the retention structure when in the second position.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the diametrically magnetized magnet has a long axis, the diametrically magnetized magnet diametrically magnetized along the long axis and polarized perpendicular to the long axis.