The present invention relates to a magnet that comprises a body and a slide arranged to be movable relative to the body between a first and a second position. The movement of the slide is limited by a first and a second section of the body in such a manner that at the first position of the slide, the second pole piece is in contact with the first section, and at the second position of the slide, the second pole piece is in contact with the second section.

The present invention relates to a magnet that comprises a body and a slide arranged to be movable relative to the body between a first and a second position. The movement of the slide is limited by a first and a second section of the body in such a manner that at the first position of the slide, the second pole piece is in contact with the first section, and at the second position of the slide, the second pole piece is in contact with the second section.

An input device comprising a processor(s), an input element, an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly including: a permanent magnet operable to generate a magnetic field; and a magnetizing assembly configured to set a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, a first ferromagnetic element, and a second ferromagnetic element. The first ferromagnetic element is configured to part and move away from the second ferromagnetic element as the input element is depressed. When the EPM assembly magnetizes the permanent magnet to a first polarity, the first and second ferromagnetic elements are magnetically attracted to each other and provide an attracting that magnetically opposes the first and second ferromagnetic elements from parting, and when the EPM assembly magnetizes the permanent magnet to a second polarity, the first and second ferromagnetic elements are not magnetically attracted to each other and do not magnetically oppose the first and second ferromagnetic elements from parting.

An input device comprising a processor(s), an input element, an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly including: a permanent magnet operable to generate a magnetic field; and a magnetizing assembly configured to set a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, a first ferromagnetic element, and a second ferromagnetic element. The first ferromagnetic element is configured to part and move away from the second ferromagnetic element as the input element is depressed. When the EPM assembly magnetizes the permanent magnet to a first polarity, the first and second ferromagnetic elements are magnetically attracted to each other and provide an attracting that magnetically opposes the first and second ferromagnetic elements from parting, and when the EPM assembly magnetizes the permanent magnet to a second polarity, the first and second ferromagnetic elements are not magnetically attracted to each other and do not magnetically oppose the first and second ferromagnetic elements from parting.

Magnet array structure includes a first linear magnet array and a second linear magnet array having a first and a second arrangement of magnets, respectively, in which the first and the second arrangement of magnets are repeated along respective lengths of the first and second linear magnet array. The first and second arrangement of magnets include respective individual first and second magnet elements arranged along the respective length of the first and second linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the first and second linear magnet array result on the first and second arrangement of magnets, respectively. The first arrangement of magnets is offset from the second arrangement of magnets so that the first arrangement of magnets and the second arrangement of magnets partially overlap.

Magnet array structure includes a first linear magnet array and a second linear magnet array having a first and a second arrangement of magnets, respectively, in which the first and the second arrangement of magnets are repeated along respective lengths of the first and second linear magnet array. The first and second arrangement of magnets include respective individual first and second magnet elements arranged along the respective length of the first and second linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the first and second linear magnet array result on the first and second arrangement of magnets, respectively. The first arrangement of magnets is offset from the second arrangement of magnets so that the first arrangement of magnets and the second arrangement of magnets partially overlap.

A switchable permanent magnetic unit is disclosed. The unit comprises: a housing, first and second permanent magnets, and a conductive coil. The first magnet is mounted within the housing and the second magnet is rotatable between first and second positions and mounted within the housing in a stacked relationship with the first magnet. The unit generates a first level of magnetic flux at a workpiece contact interface when the second magnet is in the first position and a second level of magnetic flux at the interface when the second magnet is in the second position, the second level being greater than the first level. The conductive coil is arranged about the second magnet and generates a magnetic field. A component of the conductive coil's magnetic field is directed from S to N along the second magnet's N-S pole pair when the second magnet is in the first position.

A switchable permanent magnetic unit is disclosed. The unit comprises: a housing, first and second permanent magnets, and a conductive coil. The first magnet is mounted within the housing and the second magnet is rotatable between first and second positions and mounted within the housing in a stacked relationship with the first magnet. The unit generates a first level of magnetic flux at a workpiece contact interface when the second magnet is in the first position and a second level of magnetic flux at the interface when the second magnet is in the second position, the second level being greater than the first level. The conductive coil is arranged about the second magnet and generates a magnetic field. A component of the conductive coil's magnetic field is directed from S to N along the second magnet's N-S pole pair when the second magnet is in the first position.

The present disclosure discloses a method for controlling opening and closing of at least one water outlet of an electromagnetic distributor, the method comprising: detecting, by at least one sensor, a current position, relative to the at least one water outlet, of at least one solenoid valve core; determining, by a controller, a current state of the at least water outlet according to the detected current position of the at least one solenoid valve core; generating, by an electromagnetic coil, a magnetic field force on the at least one solenoid valve core; adjusting, by the controller, a direction and an amount of the magnetic field force on the at least one solenoid valve core according to the determined current state of the at least one water outlet; and controlling, by the controller, a movement, relative to the at least one water outlet, of the at least one solenoid valve core.

A magnetic force control device includes a first pole piece having an interaction surface, made of a ferromagnetic material, and configured to be in contact with an N pole of a permanent magnet, a second pole piece having an interaction surface, made of a ferromagnetic material, and configured to be in contact with an S pole of the permanent magnet or another permanent magnet different from the permanent magnet, rotary permanent magnet configured to be rotatable to define a first arrangement state in which an N pole thereof is magnetically connected to the second pole piece and an S pole thereof is magnetically connected to the first pole piece and a second arrangement state in which the N pole is magnetically connected to the first pole piece and the S pole is magnetically connected to the second pole piece.