(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0071746A1
`Lylyharju
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Apr. 6, 2006
`
`US 2006007 1746A1
`
`(54) VIBRATION AND LOCKING SYSTEM
`(75) Inventor: Marko Lylyharju, Salo (FI)
`Correspondence Address:
`BANNER & WTCOFF
`1001 G STREET NW
`SUTE 11 OO
`WASHINGTON, DC 20001 (US)
`(73) Assignee: Nokia Corporation, Espoo (FI)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) Filed:
`
`10/956,139
`Oct. 4, 2004
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`HIH 9/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 335/205
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`There is being disclosed a portable electronic apparatus,
`Such as a mobile phone, comprising a body and at least
`partly covering lid pivotally mounted to the body by a hinge.
`The apparatus includes and a permanent magnet and an
`electromagnetic coil for generating a controllable magnetic
`flux between the lid and the body of the portable electronic
`apparatus. Bv supplving a current through a wire in the coil
`R E. of the A. magnet the
`wire experiences a magnetic force. An embodiment can be
`used for vibrating the portable electronic apparatus, locking
`the lid and the body of the apparatus together and indicating
`a position of the lid.
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`APPLE 1022
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 6, 2006 Sheet 1 of 3
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 6, 2006 Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 2006/0071746A1
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`US 2006/007 1746 A1
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`Apr. 6, 2006
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`VIBRATION AND LOCKING SYSTEM
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`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The invention concerns a portable electronic appa
`ratus according to a preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the
`invention concerns a mobile phone according to a preamble
`of claim 19. Still furthermore, the invention concerns a
`portable electronic apparatus system according to a pre
`amble of claim 37.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`0002 Portable electronic apparatuses, such as mobile
`phones and personal digital assistants, are typically
`equipped with a generator that provides a vibration alarm. A
`Small-sized dc motor arranged into the apparatus is used as
`a source of vibration, in which the vibration is generated by
`the Small weights. The weights are mounted eccentrically on
`the shaft of the dc motor. When the dc motor is started the
`weights are rotated with the shaft generating vibration due to
`the inertial force of the eccentric weight. The vibration
`propagates to the apparatus and causes alert to the user. The
`dc motor can be used as the source of vibration if there is
`enough space available in the interior of the portable elec
`tronic apparatus. If the space is limited by the physical size
`of the portable electronic apparatus the size of the dc motor
`should be reduced respectively. Furthermore, this kind of
`Solution is expensive and therefore generally unsatisfactory.
`0003) The above problems are emphasized in the portable
`electronic apparatuses consisting of a body and a lid pivot
`ally mounted to the body by a hinge, for example in the
`mobile phones of shell type. The lid of the apparatus is
`movable between an open and a closed position and pro
`vided conventionally with a locking mechanism in the body
`of the apparatus. The locking mechanism is typically
`mechanical comprising for example a spring for tensioning
`the lid to the closed position and a release button for
`releasing the lid to the open position. The foldable structure
`of the portable electronic apparatus reduces the space
`required for the components used in the apparatus.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0004. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide
`a portable electronic apparatus, a mobile phone and a
`portable electronic apparatus system to better meet the
`foldable structure requirements than in the known art.
`0005. This object is achieved by the portable electronic
`apparatus according to claim 1. In accordance with further
`aspects of the invention, there is also provided a mobile
`phone according to claim 19 and a portable electronic
`apparatus system according to claim 37. Furthermore, there
`is being provided the use of Such apparatuses.
`0006 The invention utilizes magnetic flux generating
`means for generating a controllable magnetic flux between
`the lid and the body of the portable electronic apparatus
`which means requires less space for the implementation,
`thereby enabling to follow the structural, functional and
`design requirements of the portable electronic apparatus.
`0007 Furthermore, the weight of the portable electronic
`apparatus can be reduced since a movable mass used for
`vibration, for example the lid or the body of the apparatus,
`is a part of an existing mass of the apparatus. Furthermore,
`
`the movements of the pivotally mounted lid can be detected
`electrically. Furthermore, forces enabling the magnetic flux
`between the lid of the apparatus and the body of the
`apparatus are generated.
`0008. In further embodiments, the magnetic flux gener
`ating means comprises a permanent magnet and an electro
`magnetic coil that is so disposed as to intersect a magnetic
`flux of the permanent magnet for generating the controllable
`magnetic flux.
`0009. In further embodiments of the invention, the per
`manent magnet is adapted to be supported by a conductor to
`conduct a magnetic field and mounted to the lid of the
`portable electronic apparatus, and the electromagnetic coil is
`adapted to be supported by a body of the electromagnetic
`coil and mounted to the body of the portable electronic
`apparatus. Furthermore, the magnets are arranged so that the
`lid being in a closed position, that is placing the lid Sub
`stantially flush with the body of the portable electronic
`apparatus, one of the magnetic poles of the permanent
`magnet is positioned upon the beginning of the electromag
`netic coil, and the other magnetic pole of the permanent
`magnet is positioned upon the end of the electromagnetic
`coil.
`0010. According to another further embodiments of the
`invention the permanent magnet has a shape of oblong and
`is supported by the conductors in the both ends of the
`permanent magnet. In addition, the electromagnetic coil has
`a shape of cylinder and is supported by the conductors in the
`both ends of the coil and by a conductor rod positioned
`axially in the centre of the cylinder coil. The conductors are
`made of steel, for example.
`0011. In another further embodiments of the invention,
`the lid of the portable electronic apparatus and the body of
`the portable electronic apparatus are adapted to be locked
`together. Furthermore, in another further embodiments of
`the invention, the lid and the body of the portable electronic
`apparatus are locked together by the controllable magnetic
`flux.
`0012. According to further embodiments of the invention
`the lid and the body of the portable electronic apparatus are
`adapted to be locked together by the magnetic forces of the
`controllable magnetic flux. Thus, the lid and the body of the
`portable electronic apparatus are adapted to be locked
`together either by the magnetic attraction or by the magnetic
`repulsion.
`0013 In another further embodiments of the invention,
`the vibration of the portable electronic apparatus is gener
`ated by the controllable magnetic flux. That is the vibration
`of the portable electronic apparatus is due to the interaction
`of a current signal of varying pulses passing through the
`electromagnetic coil and the magnetic field. Such varying
`current signal may be a sine wave or a saw-tooth wave and
`advantageously a square wave. The frequency of the current
`signal may be dependent on either the natural frequency of
`the components arranged in the portable electronic appara
`tus, such as the lid, or the audible frequency or both.
`Furthermore, in another further embodiments of the inven
`tion, the frequency of the current signal Supplied to the coil
`is audible frequency. Such frequency may be constant.
`0014. In another further embodiments of the invention,
`the frequency of the current signal Supplied to the coil is
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`variable frequency. Thereby, the frequency of current signal
`of varying pulses may be increased if desired and thus the
`vibration of the portable electronic apparatus is increased.
`Respectively, the frequency of current signal of varying
`pulses may be decreased and thus the vibration of the
`portable electronic apparatus is decreased.
`0015. In another further embodiments of the invention,
`the amplitude of the current signal Supplied to the coil is
`constant. Furthermore, in another further embodiments of
`the invention, the amplitude of the current signal Supplied to
`the coil is variable.
`0016.
`In another further embodiments the current Sup
`plied to the coil in the magnetic field, for example from an
`external power Supply, produces electromagnetic force that
`either pull or push the permanent magnet depending on the
`current direction. Since the electromagnetic coil is arranged
`to form part of the closed circuit through which a current is
`flowing, electrical power is generated. The power consump
`tion of the magnetic circuit thus varies during the cycle of
`the varying current pulse. Depending on the physical size of
`the portable electronic apparatus, the power required from
`the power supply is around 150 mW-1 W, for example. In yet
`another further embodiment of the invention, a spring force
`can be used to either pull or push the lid with respect to the
`body. Thereby the opening, closing or vibrating force can be
`partly based on the spring force combined with the force
`generated by the electromagnetic flux.
`0017 According to further embodiments of the invention
`the position of the lid relative to the body of the portable
`electronic apparatus is indicated using the Voltage induced
`by the permanent magnet wherein the lid position is pro
`vided for triggering other external devices connected to the
`portable electronic apparatus, for example, for interrupting
`the CPU at desired positions of the lid.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0018. The invention will now be described by way of
`examples only with reference to the accompanying draw
`ings, in which:
`0.019
`FIG. 1 depicts mechanical parts for a portable
`apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the
`invention,
`0020 FIG. 2 depicts the structure for a portable appara
`tus according to a further embodiment of the invention,
`0021 FIG.3 depicts an example of implementation for a
`portable apparatus according to a further embodiment of the
`invention,
`0022 FIG. 4a depicts an example of implementation for
`a portable apparatus according to a further embodiment of
`the invention,
`0023 FIG. 4b depicts an example of implementation for
`a portable apparatus according to a further embodiment of
`the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF FURTHER EMBODIMENTS
`0024 Mechanical parts for a portable electronic appara
`tus according to the further embodiment of the invention are
`depicted in FIG. 1. A movable lid 11 is pivotally mounted
`to the body 12 of the portable electronic apparatus 10 by a
`hinge 13. The apparatus 10 includes an oblong permanent
`magnet 17 in the edge of lid 11 and is supported by the steel
`plates 14 from the ends of the magnet 17. The portable
`
`apparatus 10 also includes an electromagnetic coil 16 in the
`edge of the body 12 of the apparatus and is supported by the
`body 15 for the coil. The coil is supported from its ends and
`the centre by a steel rod of the coil body 15. The lid 11 is
`movable by the hinge 13 in the directions of upward and
`downward as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1.
`0025 Referring to FIG. 2, the portable electronic appa
`ratus presented can be analogical to the apparatus presented
`in FIG. 1 in some cases. The lid 21 of the apparatus 20 is
`provided with a permanent magnet 23 which poles are
`denoted as an P pole and an N pole in the upper part of the
`apparatus. The body 22 of the apparatus 20 is provided with
`an electromagnetic coil 24 in the lower part of the apparatus.
`The apparatus is provided with a hinge 25 between the lid
`and the body of the apparatus. The coil 24 is electrically
`connected to a power supply (not shown in FIG. 2) of the
`portable electronic apparatus 20 for passing a current signal
`through the coil 24.
`0026 Referring to the example of FIG.3, when the lid of
`the portable electronic apparatus is in a closed position the
`lid is substantially flush with the body of the apparatus. The
`permanent magnet 31 has an oblong shape wherein an N
`pole of the magnet is in the one end of the magnet and a P
`pole is in the other end of the magnet as is depicted in the
`example of FIG. 3. The electromagnetic coil 32 is oblong in
`shape and is positioned below the permanent magnet 31 so
`that one magnetic pole is above the beginning of the coil 32
`and the other magnetic pole is above the end of the coil 32.
`0027 Thus, an electromagnetic coil and a permanent
`magnet form a magnetic circuit in the example of the
`portable electronic apparatus presented in FIG. 1-2. In FIG.
`3, a magnetic field of a permanent magnet 31 causes
`magnetic forces to act on wires in the coil 32 carrying a
`current. If a current is passed through a wire Suspended
`between the poles of the permanent magnet 31 the wire
`experiences a force perpendicular to the direction of the
`current and is deflected. If the direction of the current is
`reversed the deflection of the wire is reversed. Thus, mag
`netic forces direction is dependent on the current direction.
`By Supplying an appropriate current of varying pulses, for
`example a current waveform of square wave as is presented
`in the example of FIG. 4a, through the coil 16 of the
`portable electronic apparatus 10 the lid 11 is moved upward
`and downward by the hinge 13 according to frequency of the
`Current.
`0028 Referring to the further embodiment of FIGS. 4a
`and 4b, a current signal 4a produced by an electrical circuit
`4b is depicted. The current signal 4a passing through the coil
`is provided by the power supply of the portable electronic
`apparatus that is connected to the terminal of an electro
`magnetic coil denoted as plus and minus signs in FIG. 4b.
`The waveform to be provided is preferably such that the
`direction of the current changes periodically and at the
`predetermined frequency and magnitude, as presented for
`example in FIG. 4a. As the switches connected to A are
`conducting and the Switches connected to B disconducting
`the current waveform is either positive or negative. Respec
`tively, when the Switches A are disconducting and the
`switches B are conducting the current waveform is either
`negative or positive, as in FIG. 4a.
`0029. In another further embodiment of the invention, the
`magnetic circuit described above is utilized for locking the
`lid and the body of the portable electronic apparatus together
`i.e. into the closed position. Referring to the example of
`FIG. 1, the hinge 13 allows the lid to pivot relative to the
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`body of the apparatus. For example, the lid may rotate into
`a partially open position, as in FIG. 1, an open position or
`a closed position as in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1 the
`permanent magnet 17 is supported to the lid by the steel
`plates 14 and the coil 16 is supported to the body 12 of the
`apparatus 10 by the coil body 15, respectively. When the lid
`11 is closed, the permanent magnet 17 and the coil 16 are
`substantially parallel with each other. Thus, if an appropriate
`current is passing through the coil the magnetic force
`engages the lid 11 with the body 12 of the apparatus 10.
`Although the permanent magnet is capable of locking the lid
`and the body of the portable electronic apparatus together,
`the locking is strengthened when Small power, e.g. of around
`150 mW, is drawn to the magnetic circuit.
`0030. In another further embodiment of the invention, the
`portable electronic apparatus is provided to indicate the
`position of lid. When the apparatus is subjected to an
`external force due to the current and the magnetic field the
`position of the lid can be determined by measuring the
`Voltage induced by the permanent magnet. If the placement
`of the lid or the body of the apparatus has to be known, the
`short pulse of signal is supplied to the coil. A lid of the
`apparatus being either in an open or a closed position is
`detected by measuring the Voltage over the electromagnetic
`coil. Thus, it enables that the opening or closing of the lid by
`the user can be detected.
`0031. From the foregoing description it is readily under
`stood that the portable electronic apparatus according to
`Some embodiments of the invention makes it possible to
`increase the flexibility in design of such apparatuses. The
`embodiments reduce parts count and simplify manufacture
`of the portable electronic apparatuses.
`0032. While the invention has been shown and described
`with reference to certain embodiments thereof, these are
`merely provided to illustrate the invention and should not
`construed as limitations of the invention’s scope. Thus, it
`will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
`modifications in the form and details can be made therein
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`1. A portable electronic apparatus comprising:
`a body;
`an at least partly covering lid pivotally mounted to the
`body by a hinge; and
`a magnetic flux generating means for generating a con
`trollable magnetic flux between the lid and the body of
`the portable electronic apparatus.
`2. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1,
`wherein the magnetic flux generating means comprises:
`a permanent magnet, having two magnetic poles; and
`an electromagnetic coil adapted to be so disposed as to
`intersect a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet for
`generating the controllable magnetic flux.
`3. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 2,
`wherein:
`the permanent magnet is adapted to be Supported by one
`or more conductors to conduct a magnetic field of the
`magnetic flux and is mounted to the lid of the portable
`electronic apparatus; and
`the electromagnetic coil is adapted to be Supported by a
`body of the electromagnetic coil and is mounted to the
`body of the portable electronic apparatus.
`
`4. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 3,
`wherein the lid, when placed in a closed position, is Sub
`stantially flush with the body of the portable electronic
`apparatus, and a first magnetic poles of the permanent
`magnet is positioned upon a beginning of the electromag
`netic coil, and a second magnetic pole of the permanent
`magnet is positioned upon an end of the electromagnetic
`coil.
`5. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 4.
`wherein the permanent magnet has an oblong shape and is
`Supported by two conductors, one at each end of the per
`manent magnet.
`6. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 4.
`wherein the electromagnetic coil has a cylindrical shape and
`is supported by two conductors, one at each end of the coil
`and by a conductor rod positioned axially in a center of the
`cylindrical coil.
`7. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 4.
`wherein the position of the lid in relation to the body of the
`portable electronic apparatus is indicated using the Voltage
`induced by the permanent magnet.
`8. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 7.
`wherein the indicated lid position is provided for triggering
`other external devices connected to the portable electronic
`apparatus.
`9. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1,
`wherein the lid of the portable electronic apparatus and the
`body of the portable electronic apparatus are adapted to be
`locked together.
`10. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 9.
`wherein the lid of the portable electronic apparatus and the
`body of the portable electronic apparatus are adapted to be
`locked together by the controllable magnetic flux.
`11. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 9.
`wherein the lid of the portable electronic apparatus and the
`body of the portable electronic apparatus are adapted to be
`locked together by the magnetic forces of the controllable
`magnetic flux.
`12. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 9.
`wherein the lid of the portable electronic apparatus and the
`body of the portable electronic apparatus are adapted to be
`locked together by the magnetic attraction of the control
`lable magnetic flux.
`13. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 9.
`wherein the lid of the portable electronic apparatus and the
`body of the portable electronic apparatus are adapted to be
`locked together by the magnetic repulsion of the controllable
`magnetic flux.
`14. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1,
`wherein a vibration of the portable electronic apparatus is
`generated by the controllable magnetic flux.
`15. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 14,
`wherein the controllable magnetic flux of the portable elec
`tronic apparatus is generated by the interaction of a current
`signal passing through the electromagnetic coil and the
`magnetic field.
`16. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 15,
`wherein the current signal passing through the electromag
`netic coil is a sine wave.
`17. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 15,
`wherein the current signal passing through the electromag
`netic coil is a saw-tooth wave.
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`18. A portable electronic apparatus according to claim 15,
`wherein the current signal passing through the electromag
`netic coil is a square wave.
`19. A mobile phone comprising:
`a body;
`an at least partly covering lid pivotally mounted to the
`body by a hinge; and
`a magnetic flux generating means for generating a con
`trollable magnetic flux between the lid and the body of
`the mobile phone.
`20. A mobile phone according to claim 19, wherein the
`magnetic flux generating means comprises:
`a permanent magnet, having two magnetic poles; and
`an electromagnetic coil adapted to be so disposed as to
`intersect a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet for
`generating the controllable magnetic flux.
`21. A mobile phone according to claim 20, wherein:
`the permanent magnet is adapted to be Supported by one
`or more conductors to conduct a magnetic field of the
`magnetic flux and mounted to the lid of the mobile
`phone; and
`the electromagnetic coil is adapted to be Supported by a
`body of the electromagnetic coil and mounted to the
`body of the mobile phone.
`22. A mobile phone according to claim 21, wherein the
`lid, when placed in a closed position, is substantially flush
`with the body of the mobile phone, and a first magnetic poles
`of the permanent magnet is positioned upon a beginning of
`the electromagnetic coil, and a second magnetic pole of the
`permanent magnet is positioned upon an end of the electro
`magnetic coil.
`23. A mobile phone according to claim 22, wherein the
`permanent magnet has an oblong shape and is Supported by
`two conductors, one at each end of the permanent magnet.
`24. A mobile phone according to claim 22, wherein the
`electromagnetic coil has a cylindrical shape and is Supported
`by two conductors, one at each end of the coil and by a
`conductor rod positioned axially in a center of the cylindri
`cal coil.
`25. A mobile phone according to claim 22, wherein the
`position of the lid in relation to the body of the mobile phone
`is indicated using the Voltage induced by the permanent
`magnet.
`26. A mobile phone according to claim 25, wherein the
`indicated lid position is provided for triggering other exter
`nal devices connected to the mobile phone.
`
`27. A mobile phone according to claim 19, wherein the lid
`of the mobile phone and the body of the mobile phone are
`adapted to be locked together.
`28. A mobile phone according to claim 27, wherein the lid
`of the mobile phone and the body of the mobile phone are
`adapted to be locked together by the controllable magnetic
`flux.
`29. A mobile phone according to claim 27, wherein the lid
`of the mobile phone and the body of the mobile phone are
`adapted to be locked together by the magnetic forces of the
`controllable magnetic flux.
`30. A mobile phone according to claim 27, wherein the lid
`of the mobile phone and the body of the mobile phone are
`adapted to be locked together by the magnetic attraction of
`the controllable magnetic flux.
`31. A mobile phone according to claim 27, wherein the lid
`of the mobile phone and the body of the mobile phone are
`adapted to be locked together by the magnetic repulsion of
`the controllable magnetic flux.
`32. A mobile phone according to claim 19, wherein a
`vibration of the mobile phone is generated by the control
`lable magnetic flux.
`33. A mobile phone according to claim 32, wherein the
`controllable magnetic flux of the mobile phone is generated
`by the interaction of a current signal passing through the
`electromagnetic coil and the magnetic field.
`34. A mobile phone according to claim 33, wherein the
`current signal passing through the electromagnetic coil is a
`sine wave.
`35. A mobile phone according to claim 33, wherein the
`current signal passing through the electromagnetic coil is a
`saw-tooth wave.
`36. A mobile phone according to claim 33, wherein the
`current signal passing through the electromagnetic coil is a
`square wave.
`37. A portable electronic apparatus system comprising a
`body and an at least partly covering lid pivotally mounted to
`the body by a hinge, wherein the portable electronic appa
`ratus system is configured to generate a controllable mag
`netic flux between the lid and the body of the portable
`electronic apparatus system.
`38. A method for generating a controllable magnetic flux
`for a portable electronic apparatus comprising a body and at
`least partly covering lid pivotally mounted to the body by a
`hinge, the method comprising
`generating said controllable magnetic flux between the lid
`and the body of the portable electronic apparatus.
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`k
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