阅读说明：本技术 具有形状记忆材料线的计算设备的锁定装置 (Locking device for computing device with shape memory material wire ) 是由 J·B·戈尔特 S·D·鲍尔斯 于 2018-04-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：在一些实施例中,用于锁定计算设备的装置包括致动器、连接到计算设备的第一部分的锁定突起、连接到计算设备的第二部分的锁定插座、形状记忆材料(SMM)线、以及力调节器。SMM线具有第一状态和第二状态,并且可通过致动器在各状态之间移动。第一状态和第二状态分别具有第一和第二长度。第一状态到第二状态的移动沿SMM线的纵向方向施加收缩力。力调节器被配置成向SMM线施加与收缩面相对的返回力。该返回力将SMM线朝第一状态返回,同时将SMM线的最大可用力移动到SMM线的第二状态。(In some embodiments, an apparatus for locking a computing device includes an actuator, a locking protrusion connected to a first portion of the computing device, a locking receptacle connected to a second portion of the computing device, a Shape Memory Material (SMM) wire, and a force adjuster. The SMM wire has a first state and a second state and is movable between the states by an actuator. The first state and the second state have first and second lengths, respectively. The movement of the first state to the second state applies a contraction force in a longitudinal direction of the SMM wire. The force adjuster is configured to apply a return force to the SMM wire opposite the contraction face. The return force returns the SMM wire toward the first state while moving the maximum available force of the SMM wire to the second state of the SMM wire.)

1. An apparatus for locking a computing device, comprising:

an actuator;

a locking protrusion connected to a first portion of the computing device;

a locking receptacle connected to a second portion of the computing device;

an SMM wire having a first state and a second state and being movable between the first state and the second state by the actuator, the first state having a first length and the second state having a second length shorter than the first length, wherein movement from the first state to the second state applies a contraction force along a longitudinal direction of the SMM wire; and

a force adjuster configured to apply a return force to the SMM wire opposite the contraction force to return the SMM wire toward the first state while moving a maximum available force of the SMM wire to the second state of the SMM wire.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SMM wire comprises nickel titanium.

3. The apparatus of any of claims 1-2, wherein the first state is a martensitic microstructure phase and the second state is an austenitic microstructure phase.

4. The device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the force modifier comprises at least one magnet.

5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the force adjuster comprises a sliding rod mechanical linkage.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the force modifier exerts a greater return force when the SMM wire is in the first state than when the SMM wire is in the second state.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-6, wherein an available force profile of the SMM wire is within a 10% change of the maximum available force between the first state and the second state.

8. The device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the force adjuster comprises a spring.

9. The device of any one of claims 1-8, further comprising an arm movable by the actuator toward an unlocked position and movable by the reaction force toward a locked position, wherein the reaction force is within 10% of a maximum reaction force between the locked position and the unlocked position.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the arm has an arm length of between 15mm and 22 mm.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the arm has an arm height of between 12mm and 20 mm.

12. The device of any one of claims 9-11, wherein the arm has a post positioned in a slot of a rod connected to the force adjuster.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the arm is spaced from the rod by between 2mm and 7 mm.

14. The device of any of claims 9-13, wherein the arm has a first magnet and a second magnet located thereon.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first magnet is positioned at a first radial distance from the pivot of the arm, the second magnet is positioned at a second radial distance from the pivot of the arm, the second radial distance being greater than the first radial distance.

Background

The use of computing devices is becoming increasingly popular. Computing devices range from standard desktop computers to wearable computing technologies, and so on. One area of computing devices that has grown in recent years is hybrid computers. The hybrid computer may act as a tablet computer or a laptop computer. Many hybrid computers include an input device that can be separated from the screen.

Conventional hybrid computers may connect the screen to the input device and/or other computing components through various connection mechanisms. Stronger connection mechanisms may consume a large amount of energy, thereby reducing battery life and/or increasing the operating temperature of the hybrid computer. The robust connection mechanism with small size and low power consumption allows the hybrid computer to be smaller and lighter in weight.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided merely to illustrate one exemplary technology area in which some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an apparatus for locking a computing device includes an actuator, a locking protrusion connected to a first portion of the computing device, a locking receptacle connected to a second portion of the computing device, a Shape Memory Material (SMM) wire, and a force adjuster. The SMM wire has a first state and a second state, and the SMM wire is movable between the first state and the second state by the actuator. The first state has a first length and the second state has a second length shorter than the first length. Movement from the first state to the second state applies a contraction force in a longitudinal direction of the SMM wire. The force adjuster is configured to apply a return force to the SMM wire opposite the contraction face. The return force returns the SMM wire toward the first state while moving the maximum available force of the SMM wire toward the second state of the SMM wire.

In other embodiments, an apparatus for locking an electronic device includes an actuator, a force adjuster, and an arm. The actuator includes an SMM wire configured to apply a contraction force. The force adjuster is configured to apply a reaction force at least partially opposing the contraction force. The arm is movable by an actuator toward an unlocked position and movable by a reaction force toward a locked position. The reaction force is within 10% of the maximum return force between the locked and unlocked positions.

In other embodiments, a method of selectively securing an electronic device includes: providing a locking device having a SMM wire configured to apply a contraction force to move the locking device to an unlocked position, and changing a state of the SMM wire from a first state to a second state to apply the contraction force. The method further includes resisting the retraction force with a reaction force applied by the force adjuster, and reducing the reaction force over a displacement between the locked position and the unlocked position.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments. The features and advantages of such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments as set forth hereinafter.