Extension member for devices using magnetic field detection
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorsYao Ding, Eric Daniels
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The technology provides for an extension member configured to direct a magnetic field from a magnet to a Hall Effect sensor to facilitate detection of magnetic field. By varying the dimensions of the extension member, which may be any arbitrary shape, the relative positions of the magnet and the Hall Effect sensor may be less constrained by the reach of the magnetic field of the magnet, thereby allowing more design possibilities. The extension member may be used in a case, where the extension member may facilitate detection of whether the case is open or closed, the extension member may further provide magnetic attraction to keep the case closed.
Claims17
A device, comprising:
- a magnet;
- a Hall Effect sensor;
- and
- an extension member having a first portion and a second portion separated by a distance, the first portion having a first end surface mechanically coupled to the magnet and a second end surface, the first end surface and the second end surface of the first portion each having a perimeter defined by a first outer surface of the first portion, the first end surface of the first portion is closest to the magnet than any other surface of the first portion, the second portion having a first end surface mechanically coupled to the Hall Effect sensor and a second end surface adapted to be coupled to the second end surface of the first portion, the first end surface and the second end surface of the second portion each having a perimeter defined by a second outer surface of the second portion,
- wherein the distance is shortest between the second end surface of the first portion and the second end surface of the second portion,
- wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured such that the distance between the second end surface of the first portion and the second end surface of the second portion can be changed by moving the first portion or the second portion linearly along an x, y, or z plane, the extension member being formed from a material capable of transferring a magnetic field of the magnet, and
- wherein the Hall Effect sensor is not able to detect the magnetic field of the magnet when the distance between the magnet and the second portion is greater than a first predetermined threshold distance.
A case, comprising:
- a first cover;
- a second cover, wherein, when the case is closed, an edge of the first cover comes in contact with an edge of the second cover such that the first cover and the second cover encloses a space;
- a magnet mounted in the edge of the first cover configured to be in contact with the edge of the second cover;
- a Hall Effect sensor disposed in the enclosed space;
- and
- an extension member mounted in the edge of the second cover, the extension member having a first end adapted to be coupled to the magnet, a second end adapted to be coupled to the Hall Effect sensor, and a body that is bent from the edge of the second cover towards the Hall Effect sensor in the enclosed space, the body being formed from a material capable of transferring a magnetic field of the magnet from the first end to the second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.