# US 7,608,791 B2 · Fastener module controlled by magnetic force

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- Number: US 7,608,791 B2
- Document ID: US7608791B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/829,949
- Filed: 2007-07-29
- Published: 2008-03-27
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2006-09-27
- Assignees: Compal Electronics, Inc.
- Inventors: Shao-Tsu Kung; Yi-Hung Shen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608791B2

## CPC

- 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)}
- 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}
- 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}
- Y10T 292/11: Magnetic
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A fastener module suitable for a foldable electronic apparatus with a first body and a second body pivotally jointed with each other is provided. The module includes a first fastener, a second fastener, a control circuit, and a magnetic element. The first fastener is disposed in the first body and has magnetic susceptibility. The second fastener is disposed in the second body and suitable for being fastened with the first fastener. The control circuit is disposed in the foldable electronic apparatus. The magnetic element is disposed in the foldable electronic apparatus, and is coupled to the control circuit. The magnetic element is controlled by the control circuit to determine whether to exert a magnetic force on the first fastener for driving the first fastener to be fastened with the second fastener.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fastener module, suitable for being applied to a foldable electronic apparatus with a first body and a second body pivotally jointed with the first body, the fastener module comprising:
a first fastener, disposed in the first body and having magnetic susceptibility;
a second fastener, disposed in the second body and suitable for being fastened with the first fastener;
a control circuit, disposed in the foldable electronic apparatus;
a sensor, disposed in the first body or the second body, and coupled to the control circuit, for providing a trigger signal to inform the control circuit that the first body and the second body are in a closed state; and
a magnetic element, disposed in the foldable electronic apparatus and coupled to the control circuit, wherein the magnetic element is controlled by the control circuit to determine whether to exert a magnetic force on the first fastener for driving the first fastener to be fastened with the second fastener.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fastener module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fastener comprises a hook, and the second fastener comprises a hole.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fastener module as claimed in claim 1, wherein after the magnetic element exerts a magnetic force on the first fastener for a predetermined time, the control circuit controls the magnetic element to stop exerting the magnetic force on the first fastener.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fastener module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises:
a switching element, coupled to the magnetic element; and
a controller, coupled to the switching element and the sensor, for controlling the switching element whether to supply power to the magnetic element.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The fastener module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control circuit further comprises:
a power supplier, coupled to the switching element and the controller, wherein the controller controls the switching element whether to supply power to the magnetic element from the power supplier.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fastener module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a release mechanism, disposed in the first body, for releasing the fastening between the first fastener and the second fastener.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fastener module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is an electromagnet.