U.S. patent application number 13/909720 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for electromagnetic rocking chair.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mei-Sheng Teng. Invention is credited to Mei-Sheng Teng.
Application Number | 20130320726 13/909720 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49669324 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130320726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Teng; Mei-Sheng |
December 5, 2013 |
Electromagnetic Rocking Chair
Abstract
An electromagnetic rocking chair is disclosed. The
electromagnetic rocking chair includes a fixing part, a moving part
being moveable relative to the fixing part, at least two
electromagnets disposed on the fixing part, and at least one
permanent magnet disposed on the moving part. When the moving
magnet moves to a position over the fixed magnet, the fixed magnet
is electrified to produce repulsion forces due to homopolar
repulsion, whereby the repulsion forces and the inertial force
generated during the course of movement of the moving magnet can
move the electromagnetic rocking chair smoothly.
Inventors: |
Teng; Mei-Sheng; (Kowloon,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Teng; Mei-Sheng |
Kowloon |
|
HK |
|
|
Family ID: |
49669324 |
Appl. No.: |
13/909720 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12871907 |
Aug 31, 2010 |
8500201 |
|
|
13909720 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/260.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 9/16 20130101; A47C
3/0255 20130101; A47D 13/105 20130101; A47C 3/0251 20180801; A47C
3/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/260.2 |
International
Class: |
A47C 3/025 20060101
A47C003/025 |
Claims
1. An electromagnetic rocking chair comprising: a fixing part
including a plurality of electromagnets and at least one sensor; a
moving part being moveable relative to the fixing part, including a
plurality of permanent magnets; and a control module for
controlling at least one magnetic force exerted by at least one of
the electromagnets on the moving part, wherein the at least one
sensor is capable of detecting a state of the moving part.
2. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 1, wherein the sensor
is a magnetic sensor.
3. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 2, wherein the
magnetic sensor is configured to detect the moving state of the
moving part by detecting whether at least one of the permanent
magnets on the moving part is moved to a position over at least one
of the electromagnets.
4. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 3, wherein the number
of magnetic sensors is at least two.
5. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 4, wherein movement
of the moving part is initiated from at least one signal sent by
the control module to at least one of the electromagnets.
6. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 5, wherein movement
is initiated when the chair is positioned on a non-horizontal or
sloping surface.
7. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 5, wherein movement
is initiated by activating a repulsion force from at least one of
the electromagnets that is not directly underneath at least one of
the permanent magnets in the moving part.
8. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 1, wherein the state
of the moving part is stationary.
9. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 8, wherein the
stationary position of the moving part is recognized by the control
module to be generally above one of the electromagnets.
10. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 1, wherein the state
of the moving part is moving.
11. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 10, wherein the
moving position of the moving part is recognized by the control
module to be generally above one of the electromagnets.
12. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 1, wherein the
number of the permanent magnets is at least two.
13. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 1, wherein the
number of sensors is four, and the number of permanent magnets is
three.
14. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 13, wherein at least
one sensor comprises three reed switches connected in series.
15. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 6, wherein the
control module comprises: a fourth pin of a first control chip
coupled to a positive pole of a first power supply; a third pin of
the first control chip connected to a power indication lamp by a
first resistor; a seventh pin of the first control chip connected
to a switch; fifth, sixth, ninth and tenth pins of the first
control chip connected to first, second, third, and fourth sensors;
a second pin of the first control chip connected to a first triode
by a second resistor, wherein the first triode is connected to a
second triode and a third triode; a second power supply connected
to a first electromagnet by the second triode, wherein the first
electromagnet is simultaneously connected to a second, a third, a
fourth and a fifth diode to rectify output; a first pin of the
first control chip connected to a seventh triode by a third
resistor, wherein the seventh triode is connected to a sixth triode
and an eighth triode; a third power supply connected to the second
electromagnet by the sixth triode, wherein the second electromagnet
is simultaneously connected to a sixth, a seventh, an eighth and a
ninth diode to rectify output; a fourteenth pin of the first
control chip connected to an eleventh triode by a fourth resistor,
wherein the eleventh triode is connected to a twelfth triode and a
thirteenth triode; a fourth power supply connected to the third
electromagnet by the twelfth triode, wherein the third
electromagnet is simultaneously connected to a tenth, an eleventh,
a twelfth and a thirteenth diode to rectify output; a twelfth pin
of the first control chip connected to a fourth triode by a fifth
resistor and to a fifth triode by a sixth resistor, wherein the
fourth triode and the fifth triode switch the working states of the
first electromagnet and the second electromagnet; and a thirteenth
pin of the first control chip connected to a ninth triode by a
seventh resistor, and to a tenth triode by a eighth resistor,
wherein the ninth triode and the tenth triode switch the working
states of the first electromagnet and the third electromagnet.
16. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 15, wherein the
control module further comprises a second control chip being
capable of alternately outputting a low/high electrical level, when
the electronic rocking chair is loaded in a static state before
powered on, after a power switch is switched on, the second control
chip of the control module alternately outputs the high/low
electrical level, wherein the first, second, and third triodes are
defined as a first group triodes, the sixth, seventh, and eighth
triodes are defined as a second group triodes, and the eleventh,
twelfth and thirteenth triodes are defined as a third group
triodes, the three group triodes alternately work to cause a
corresponding electromagnet to produce an alternate magnetic field,
thereby exerting a push-up force to at least one of the permanent
magnets.
17. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 1, wherein the
fixing part comprises a base disposed generally horizontal and a
support frame, wherein a first end of the support frame is
connected to a side of the base, and an acute angle is defined
between the support frame and the base in the working state, and
wherein the moving part comprises a bearing shelf, wherein the
bearing shelf is hingedly attached to the fixing part at a second
end by a suspension rod.
18. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 17, wherein at least
one of the permanent magnets is disposed on a bottom of the bearing
shelf.
19. The electromagnetic rocking chair of claim 18, wherein at least
one of the electromagnets is located on the base where the
electromagnet can exert a magnetic force on at least one of the
permanent magnets in different time when the moving part is
moved.
20. An electromagnetic rocking chair, comprising: a base including
a plurality of electromagnet and a plurality of sensors; a support
frame, wherein a first end is connected to a side of the base; a
bearing shelf including a plurality of permanent magnets; at least
one suspension rod, wherein a first end of the at least one
suspension rod is hingedly connected to a second end of the support
frame, and a second end of the at least one suspension rod is
connected to the bearing shelf, such that a least a portion of the
bearing shelf hangs above at least a portion of the base; and a
control module for controlling at least one magnetic force exerted
by at least one of the electromagnets in the base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/871,907 filed on Aug. 31, 2010, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to rocking chairs, and more
particularly to an electromagnetic rocking chair.
BACKGROUND
[0003] An electric cradle is an electrical device for improving a
traditional cradle by adding a power system, which can reduce the
heavy labor of parents in taking care of a baby by automating the
rocking motion of the traditional cradle. The rocking motion is
very familiar to babies. For example, before birth, the fetus
experiences a rocking motion when floating in the amniotic fluid of
the mother's womb, such as when the mother is walking, or when the
mother changes body positioning from standing, sitting or lying
down. This type of stimulus can be sensed by the fetus and is
believed to promote brain development. When the baby is born, the
baby may be at unease, because the rocking stimulus experienced in
the mother's womb is suddenly removed. It has been demonstrated
that regularly rocking the baby can speed up development of the
brain, and that the weight of the brain can double in one year,
primarily in the brain's neocortex, which plays a critical role in
development of the baby's IQ.
[0004] The conventional electric rocking chair is rocked by a motor
which is generally complicated, noisy and prone to failure. An
electromagnetic rocking chair has been developed to solve the above
problems in a conventional electric rocking chair. An
electromagnetic rocking chair is disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/871,907 filed on Aug. 31, 2010, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/871,907 describes an
electromagnetic rocking chair that includes a base, a chair seat,
two fixed rods, and two suspension rods. Each of the fixed rods has
a lower end fixed on one end of the base, and a transverse shaft is
fixed on both upper ends of the fixed rods. An upper end of the
respective suspension rods is pivotally connected to the transverse
shaft, and the chair seat is disposed between the two suspension
rods. A permanent magnet is disposed at the lower end of one of the
suspension rods, and under the permanent magnet are disposed two
electromagnets fixed on the base. On the base are further fixed two
displacement sensors. The two electromagnets and two displacement
sensors are connected to a control circuit on a circuit board. The
electromagnetic rocking chair has advantages of simple and
reasonable structure design, stable running, no noise, adjusting
rocking amplitude and the like.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic rocking
chair having a large load-driving force that is capable of being
smoothly started up even when the center of gravity of the moving
part is deviated. The electromagnetic rocking chair includes a
fixing part, a moving part moveable relative to the fixing part,
and a control module for controlling at least one magnetic force
exerted on the moving part. At least two fixed magnets are disposed
on the fixing part. The fixed magnets are electromagnets, whose
magnetic pole directions can be controlled respectively. A moving
magnet is disposed on the moving part for matching with the fixed
magnet. The moving magnet is a permanent magnet. A displacement
detecting sensor is disposed on the fixing part to detect the
moving state of the moving part. The fixed magnet and the
displacement detecting sensor are electrically connected to the
control module.
[0006] In one embodiment, the displacement detecting sensors are
magnetic sensors, which detect the moving state of the moving part
by detecting whether the moving magnet on the moving part is moved
to a position over the fixed magnet. In another embodiment, the
number of displacement detecting sensors in the electromagnetic
rocking chair is at least two. In another embodiment, the number of
moving magnets in the electromagnetic rocking chair is at least
two. In another embodiment, the number of displacement detecting
sensors is at least four, such as a first displacement detecting
sensor, a second displacement detecting sensor, a third
displacement detecting sensor, and a fourth displacement detecting
sensor, respectively. In another embodiment, the second
displacement detecting sensor includes three reed switches
connected in serial.
[0007] In one embodiment, the control module comprises a fourth pin
of a first control chip connected to a positive pole of a first
power supply; a third pin of the first control chip connected to a
power indication lamp by a first resistor; a seventh pin of the
first control chip connected to a switch; fifth, sixth, ninth and
tenth pins of the first control chip connected to first, second,
third, and fourth displacement detecting sensors, respectively; the
second pin of the first control chip connected to a first triode by
a second resistor; the first triode connected to second and third
triodes; a second power supply connected to the first fixed magnet
by the second triode; the first fixed magnet simultaneously
connected to second, third, fourth and fifth diodes to rectify
output; a first pin of the first control chip connected to a
seventh triode by a third resistor; the seventh triode connected to
sixth and eighth triodes; a third power supply connected to the
second fixed magnet by the sixth triode; the second fixed magnet
simultaneously connected to sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth diodes
to rectify output; the fourteenth pin of the first control chip
connected to an eleventh triode by a fourth resistor; the eleventh
triode connected to the twelfth and thirteenth triodes; a fourth
power supply connected to the third fixed magnet by the twelfth
triode; the third fixed magnet simultaneously connected to tenth,
eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth diode to rectify output; a twelfth
pin of the first control chip connected to a fourth triode by a
fifth resistor and to a fifth triode by a sixth resistor, wherein
the fourth triode and the fifth triode switch the working states of
the first fixed magnet and the second fixed magnet; and a
thirteenth pin of the first control chip connected to a ninth
triode by a seventh resistor and to a tenth triode by a eighth
resistor, wherein the ninth triode and the tenth triode switch the
working states of the first fixed magnet and the third fixed
magnet.
[0008] In another embodiment, the control module further comprises
a second control chip capable of alternately outputting a low/high
electrical level when the electronic rocking chair is loaded in a
static state before powered on. After a power switch is switched
on, the second control chip of the control module outputs
alternately the high/low electrical level. The first, second, third
triodes, the sixth, seventh, eighth triodes, and the eleventh,
twelfth and thirteenth triodes alternately work to cause the
corresponding fixed magnet to produce an alternate magnetic field,
thereby exerting a push-up force to the moving magnet.
[0009] In another embodiment, the fixing part includes a base
disposed horizontally and a support frame, wherein one end of the
support frame is connected to a side of the base, and an acute
angle is defined between the support frame and the base in the
working state. The moving part includes a bearing shelf, wherein
the bearing shelf is hinged with the fixing part by a suspension
rod, the moving magnet is disposed on a bottom of the bearing
shelf, and the fixed magnet is located on a corresponding position
on the base where the fixed magnet can exert a magnetic force to
the moving magnet at different times when the moving part is
moved.
[0010] The plurality of fixed magnets can be separately controlled
so that a driving force relative to the moving magnet is generated
to drive the moving magnet to move by controlling the fixed magnet,
and the driving force and an inertial force generated during the
course of rocking can together drive the motion of the moving part,
such that the electromagnetic rocking chair achieves a large load
driving force, with a larger range of motion for the moving part
than compared to a conventional rocking chair, even when a large
weight is placed on the chair. A key feature of one embodiment of
the present invention is that the first magnet acts as a relay
fixed magnet, which can sense a nonspecific center of gravity
formed by the moving part, and exert a relay force to the moving
part.
[0011] For example, in one embodiment, the number of fixed magnets
is three, including a first fixed magnet, a second fixed magnet,
and a third fixed magnet, where the first fixed magnet is located
between the second fixed magnet and the third magnet. When the
moving part is positioned on the left side of the second fixed
magnet, and moves towards the second fixed magnet until the moving
part is directly above the second fixed magnet, the fixed magnet
exerts a repulsion force to the moving magnet to move the moving
part towards the first fixed magnet. When the moving part is moved
to a position directly above the first fixed magnet, the first
fixed magnet exerts a repulsion force to the moving magnet, to keep
the moving part moving towards the third fixed magnet. When the
moving part is moved to a position directly above the third fixed
magnet, the third fixed magnet exerts a repulsion force to the
moving magnet, to keep the moving part moving in a direction away
from the third fixed magnet. When the moving part is positioned on
the right side of the third fixed magnet, and moves towards the
third fixed magnet until directly above the third fixed magnet, the
third fixed magnet exerts a repulsion force to the moving magnet,
the moving part is moved towards the first fixed magnet. When the
moving part is moved to a position directly above the first fixed
magnet, the first fixed magnet exerts a repulsion force to the
moving magnet, to keep the moving part moving towards the second
fixed magnet. When the moving part is moved to a position directly
above the second fixed magnet, the second magnet exerts a repulsion
force to the moving part, to keep the moving part moving in a
direction away the second fixed magnet. Back and forth movement of
the electromagnetic rocking chair is performed by such a repetitive
cycle.
[0012] Furthermore, the electromagnetic rocking chair of the
present invention can be conveniently started up, and an example is
described in the following. As described above, the displacement
detecting sensor is specially designed. For example, the second
displacement detecting sensor includes a plurality of reed switches
connected in series. If one or more of the reed switches is
switched off, the electromagnetic rocking chair is positioned
directly above the third fixed magnet before being started. A
direction of the repulsion force exerted to the moving magnet by
the third fixed magnet is generally perpendicular to the moving
direction of the moving part, so the repulsion force cannot move
the moving part. At this time, by controlling energizing states of
the magnetic poles of the first fixed magnet and the second fixed
magnet, the first and second fixed magnet both exert repulsion
forces to move the moving magnet, thereby successfully starting the
electromagnetic rocking chair. If the three reed switches of the
second displacement detecting sensor are all switched off, the
electromagnetic rocking chair is positioned directly above the
second fixed magnet before being started. A direction of the
repulsion exerted to the moving magnet by the second fixed magnet
is generally perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving
part, and the repulsion force cannot drive the moving part to move.
At this time, by controlling energizing states of the magnetic
poles of the first fixed magnet and the third magnet, repulsion
forces are exerted to the moving magnet by the first fixed magnet
and the third fixed magnet to move the moving part, thereby
successfully starting the electromagnetic rocking chair.
[0013] The reed switch used in the electromagnetic rocking chair is
a specially designed magnetic sensitive switch, and may comprise
two metal piece contacts that are made of soft magnetic material
and are switched off when the reed switch is powered off. The reed
switch may also comprise a third metal piece acting as a contact,
which is usually switched off. In one embodiment, the metal piece
contacts are packaged in a glass tube filled with inert gas, or
they may be in a vacuum. Ends of the metal pieces installed in the
glass tube in parallel may overlap and define a gap, or they may
contact each other to form a normal on/off switch contact. When the
metal pieces are magnetized, the normal switch-on contact is
contacted or the normal switch-off contact is separated.
[0014] The main performance characteristics of the reed switch is
described in the following. First, a connection line between the
north pole and the south pole of the magnet is parallel to the reed
switch, or an included angle defined between the connection line
and the reed switch is not a right angle, or the included angle is
a right angle but the magnet is directly below the metal pieces,
the metal pieces can be magnetized, the normal switch-off contact
is switched on, and the normal switch-on contact is separated.
Second, when the included angle is a right angle and the magnet is
directly below the metal pieces, the metal pieces cannot be
magnetized, and the position states of the switch on/off contact
remain unchanged. Third, when the included angle between the
connection line and the reed switch is a right angle, and the
magnet is not directly below the metal pieces, the metal pieces can
be magnetized, the normal switch-off contact is switched on, and
the normal switch-on contact is separated. The reed switches used
in the second displacement detecting sensor are normal switch-off
reed switches.
[0015] In one embodiment, the fixing part includes a base disposed
generally horizontally and a support frame, wherein one end of the
support frame is connected to a side of the base, and an acute
angle is defined between the support frame and the base in the
working state. The moving part includes a bearing shelf, wherein
the bearing shelf is hinged with the fixing part by a suspension
rod. In this embodiment, the structure of the electromagnetic
rocking chair is stable, providing support for the largest load and
preventing the electromagnetic rocking chair from swaying when the
electromagnetic rocking chair is used. The moving magnet may be
disposed on a bottom of the bearing shelf, while the fixed magnet
may be disposed on a corresponding position on the base where the
fixed magnet can exert a force to the moving magnet at different
times when the moving part is moved. The configuration of the fixed
magnet and the moving magnet causes a larger rocking range of the
moving part, but with relatively low power consumption.
[0016] In another embodiment, the number of moving magnets is at
least two, and the at least two moving magnets are disposed on a
bottom of the bearing shelf. As a result of this design, as is true
for all embodiments of the present invention, the electromagnetic
rocking chair can rock stably with a large rocking range, but
without making considerable noise as is typically associated with
traditional electric cradles. When the number of moving magnets is
two and the number of fixed magnets is three, a force by one or
more of the fixed magnets may be exerted upon one or more of the
moving magnets during movement of the moving part to avoid the
unstable operation of the electromagnetic rocking chair or to avoid
a decrease of the rocking range.
[0017] In another embodiment, the electromagnetic rocking chair may
tolerate a deviation of the center of gravity of the moving part.
For example, when the moving magnet is moved from left to right and
the moving part is in the leftmost position, the moving magnet may
be detected by the leftmost reed switch of the first displacement
detecting sensor, and when in the rightmost position, the moving
magnetic may be detected by the rightmost reed switch of the fourth
displacement detecting sensor. Accordingly, the electromagnetic
rocking chair of the present invention can be started as long as
the moving part is in the area between the leftmost position and
the rightmost position. When there are more than two moving
magnets, the area between the leftmost position and the rightmost
position can be increased to enable the electromagnetic rocking
chair to be started successfully, even if the center of gravity of
the electromagnetic rocking chair is changed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The present invention will be further explained in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in detail.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electromagnetic rocking
chair in a motion state in accordance with the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is another schematic view of the electromagnetic
rocking chair in a motion state in accordance with the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is another schematic view of the electromagnetic
rocking chair in a motion state in accordance with the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a front view of the electromagnetic rocking chair
in accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic rocking
chair in accordance with the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a control module of the
electromagnetic rocking chair in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning
associated with it in this section.
[0026] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or
to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object
of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element
or more than one element.
[0027] "About" as used herein when referring to a measurable value
such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to
encompass variations of .+-.20%, .+-.10%, .+-.5%, .+-.1%, and
.+-.0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are
appropriate.
[0028] Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention
can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that
the description in range format is merely for convenience and
brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on
the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range
should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the
possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within
that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6
should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such
as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6,
from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range,
for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, 6 and any whole and partial
increments therebetween. This applies regardless of the breadth of
the range.
[0029] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic rocking
chair having a large load driving force that is capable of being
smoothly started up, even when the center of gravity of the moving
part is deviated. The electromagnetic rocking chair of the present
invention generally includes a fixing part, a moving part moveable
relative to the fixing part, and a control module for controlling
at least one magnetic force exerted on the moving part. The fixing
part comprises a plurality of electromagnets, at least one
displacement detecting sensor, and the control module, and the
moving part comprises a plurality of permanent magnets.
[0030] The plurality of fixed magnets can be separately controlled
so that a driving force relative to the moving magnet is generated
to drive the moving magnet to move by controlling the fixed magnet,
and the driving force and an inertial force generated during the
course of rocking can together drive the motion of the moving part,
such that the electromagnetic rocking chair achieves a large load
driving force, with a larger range of motion for the moving part
than compared to a conventional rocking chair, even when a large
weight is placed on the chair. As contemplated herein, the first
magnet acts as a relay fixed magnet, which can sense a nonspecific
center of gravity formed by the moving part and exert a relay force
to the moving part.
[0031] For example, in one embodiment, the number of fixed magnets
is three, including a first fixed magnet, a second fixed magnet,
and a third fixed magnet, where the first fixed magnet is located
between the second fixed magnet and the third magnet. When the
moving part is positioned on the left side of the second fixed
magnet, and moves towards the second fixed magnet until the moving
part is directly above the second fixed magnet, the fixed magnet
exerts a repulsion force to the moving magnet to move the moving
part towards the first fixed magnet. When the moving part is moved
to a position directly above the first fixed magnet, the first
fixed magnet exerts a repulsion force to the moving magnet, to keep
the moving part moving towards the third fixed magnet. When the
moving part is moved to a position directly above the third fixed
magnet, the third fixed magnet exerts a repulsion force to the
moving magnet, to keep the moving part moving in a direction away
from the third fixed magnet. When the moving part is positioned on
the right side of the third fixed magnet and moves towards the
third fixed magnet until directly above the third fixed magnet, the
third fixed magnet exerts a repulsion force to the moving magnet,
and the moving part is moved towards the first fixed magnet. When
the moving part is moved to a position directly above the first
fixed magnet, the first fixed magnet exerts a repulsion force to
the moving magnet, to keep the moving part moving towards the
second fixed magnet. When the moving part is moved to a position
directly above the second fixed magnet, the second magnet exerts a
repulsion force to the moving part, to keep the moving part moving
in a direction away the second fixed magnet. Back and forth
movement of the electromagnetic rocking chair is performed by such
a repetitive cycle.
[0032] Furthermore, the electromagnetic rocking chair of the
present invention can be conveniently started up, and an example is
described in the following. In one embodiment the displacement
detecting sensors are magnetic sensors, which detect the moving
state of the moving part by detecting whether the moving magnet on
the moving part is moved to a position over the fixed magnet. In
another embodiment, the number of displacement detecting sensors in
the electromagnetic rocking chair is at least two. In another
embodiment, the second displacement detecting sensor includes three
reed switches connected in series. For example, the second
displacement detecting sensor includes a plurality of reed switches
connected in series. If one or more of the reed switches is
switched off, the electromagnetic rocking chair is positioned
directly above the third fixed magnet before being started. A
direction of the repulsion force exerted to the moving magnet by
the third fixed magnet is generally perpendicular to the moving
direction of the moving part, so the repulsion force cannot move
the moving part. At this time, by controlling energizing states of
the magnetic poles of the first fixed magnet and the second fixed
magnet, the first and second fixed magnet both exert repulsion
forces to move the moving magnet, thereby successfully starting the
electromagnetic rocking chair. If the three reed switches of the
second displacement detecting sensor are all switched off, the
electromagnetic rocking chair is positioned directly above the
second fixed magnet before being started. A direction of the
repulsion exerted to the moving magnet by the second fixed magnet
is generally perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving
part, and the repulsion force cannot drive the moving part to move.
At this time, by controlling energizing states of the magnetic
poles of the first fixed magnet and the third magnet, repulsion
forces are exerted to the moving magnet by the first fixed magnet
and the third fixed magnet to move the moving part, thereby
successfully starting the electromagnetic rocking chair.
[0033] The reed switch used in the electromagnetic rocking chair is
a specially designed magnetic sensitive switch and may include two
metal piece contacts, which are made of soft magnetic material and
are switched off when the reed switch is powered off. The reed
switch may also include a third metal piece acting as a contact,
which is usually switched off. In one embodiment, the metal piece
contacts are packaged in a glass tube filled with inert gas, or
they may be in a vacuum. Ends of the metal pieces installed in the
glass tube in parallel may overlap and define a gap, or they may
contact each other to form a normal on/off switch contact. When the
metal pieces are magnetized, the normal switch-on contact is
contacted or the normal switch-off contact is separated.
[0034] The main performance characteristics of the reed switch is
described in the following. First, a connection line between the
north pole and the south pole of the magnet is parallel to the reed
switch, or an included angle defined between the connection line
and the reed switch is not a right angle, or the included angle is
a right angle but the magnet is directly below the metal pieces,
the metal pieces can be magnetized, the normal switch-off contact
is switched on, and the normal switch-on contact is separated.
Second, when the included angle is a right angle and the magnet is
directly below the metal pieces, the metal pieces cannot be
magnetized, and the position states of the switch on/off contact
remain unchanged. Third, when the included angle between the
connection line and the reed switch is a right angle, and the
magnet is not directly below the metal pieces, the metal pieces can
be magnetized, the normal switch-off contact is switched on, and
the normal switch-on contact is separated. The reed switches used
in the second displacement detecting sensor are normal switch-off
reed switches.
[0035] In one embodiment, the fixing part includes a base disposed
generally horizontally and a support frame, where one end of the
support frame is connected to a side of the base, and an acute
angle is defined between the support frame and the base in the
working state. The moving part includes a bearing shelf, wherein
the bearing shelf is hinged with the fixing part by a suspension
rod. In this embodiment, the structure of the electromagnetic
rocking chair is stable, providing support for the largest load and
preventing the electromagnetic rocking chair from swaying when the
electromagnetic rocking chair is used. The moving magnet may be
disposed on a bottom of the bearing shelf, while the fixed magnet
may be disposed on a corresponding position on the base where the
fixed magnet can exert a force to the moving magnet in different
times when the moving part is moved. The configuration of the fixed
magnet and the moving magnet causes a larger rocking range of the
moving part, but with relatively low power consumption.
[0036] In another embodiment, the number of moving magnets is at
least two, and the at least two moving magnets are disposed on a
bottom of the bearing shelf. In this design, as is true for all
embodiments of the present invention, the electromagnetic rocking
chair can rock stably with a large rocking range, and without
making considerable noise as is typically heard from traditional
electric cradles. When the number of moving magnets is two and the
number of fixed magnets is three, a force by one or more of the
fixed magnets may be exerted at an appropriate time upon one or
more of the moving magnets during movement of the moving part to
prevent unstable operation of the electromagnetic rocking chair or
to prevent a decrease of the rocking range, or both.
[0037] In another embodiment, the electromagnetic rocking chair may
tolerate a deviation of the center of gravity of the moving part.
For example, in one embodiment, when the moving part is in the
leftmost position, the moving magnet can be detected by the
leftmost reed switch of the first displacement detecting sensor, or
when in the rightmost position, the moving magnetic can be detected
by the rightmost reed switch of the fourth displacement detecting
sensor. The area between the leftmost position and the rightmost
position is the area where the moving part can be started. When
there are more than two moving magnets, the area between the
leftmost position and the rightmost position can be increased to
enable the electromagnetic rocking chair to be started
successfully. Accordingly, the electromagnetic rocking chair of the
present invention can be started even if the center of gravity of
the electromagnetic rocking chair is changed, as long as the moving
part is in the area between the leftmost position and the rightmost
position.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary electromagnetic rocking
chair in accordance with the present invention is shown and
generally includes a fixing part 10 and a moving part 20, where
moving part 20 may be moved relative to fixing part 10. As
contemplated herein, fixing part 10 may include a plurality of
magnets, and is not limited to any particular number, size or type
of magnets. As described herein, any magnet positioned in fixing
part 10 may be referred to herein as a fixing magnet. However, it
should be appreciated that while a fixing magnet may in fact be
"fixed" into a particular position or location within fixing part
10, such fixing magnets are not limited to being truly fixed, and
may in certain embodiments allow for at least some movement within
fixing part 10. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, three
fixed magnets are disposed on the fixing part 10 and are
respectively a first fixed magnet L1, a second fixed magnet L2, and
a third fixed magnet L3. In one embodiment, the first fixed magnet
L1, the second fixed magnet L2, and the third fixed magnet L3 are
electromagnets, where the orientations of the magnetic poles of
each electromagnet may be individually and independently
controlled.
[0039] As contemplated herein, moving part 20 may include at least
one magnet, and preferably may include a plurality of magnets. As
contemplated herein, the magnets in moving part 20 are not limited
to any particular number, size or type of magnets. As described
herein, any magnet positioned in moving part 20 may be referred to
herein as a moving magnet. However, it should be appreciated that
while a moving magnet may in fact "move" relative to a fixing
magnet, the moving magnets may be either fixed into a particular
position or location within moving part 20, or they may in certain
embodiments allow for at least some movement within moving part 20,
and should therefore not be limited either way. For example, in the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, two moving magnets 22 are shown, matched
with the fixed magnets, and are disposed on the moving part 20. The
two moving magnets 22 are permanent magnets.
[0040] Displacement detecting sensors may be used to detect a
motion state of the moving part 20, and may be disposed on the
fixing part 10. As contemplated herein, the present invention may
include at least one displacement detecting sensor. Preferably, the
present invention includes a plurality of displacement detecting
sensors, and is not limited to any particular number of such
sensors. For example, in one embodiment, the number of displacement
detecting sensors is four. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the four
displacement detecting sensors are respectively a first
displacement detecting sensor 121, a second displacement detecting
sensor 122, a third displacement detecting sensor 123, and a fourth
displacement detecting sensor 124. In one embodiment, the second
displacement detecting sensor 122 includes three reed switches
connected in series. The three fixed magnets and the four
displacement detecting sensors may be electrically coupled to a
control module, respectively.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixing part 10 includes a
base 13 disposed horizontally and a support frame 14, with one end
of the support frame 14 being connected to a side of the base 13,
thereby defining an acute angle between the support frame 14 and
the base 13 in the working state. The moving part 20 includes a
bearing shelf 23, with the bearing shelf 23 being hingedly attached
to the fixing part 10 by a suspension rod 24. The moving magnet 22
is disposed on a bottom of the bearing shelf 23, as shown in FIG.
4. The fixed magnets are disposed on a corresponding position on
the base 13 where the fixed magnet can exert a force on the moving
magnet 22 at different times when the moving part 20 is moved.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the electromagnetic rocking
chair further includes a control module, which may be disposed on
or within fixing part 10. In one embodiment, the layout of the
control module may be defined as follows: a fourth pin of a first
control chip U3 is coupled to a positive pole of a first power
supply; a third pin of the first control chip U3 is connected to a
power indication lamp D2 LED by a first resistor R6; a seventh pin
of the first control chip U3 is connected to a switch S1; and
fifth, sixth, ninth and tenth pins of the first control chip U3 are
respectively connected to first, second, third, and fourth
displacement detecting sensors 121, 122, 123, 124. Further, the
second pin of the first control chip U3 is connected to a first
triode Q1 by a second resistor R13; the first triode Q1 is
connected to a second triode Q2 and a third triode Q3; a second
power supply is connected to the first fixed magnet L1 by the
second triode Q2; the first fixed magnet L1 is simultaneously
connected to second, third, fourth and fifth diodes D2, D3, D4, D5
to rectify output; a first pin of the first control chip U3 is
connected to a seventh triode Q7 by a third resistor R16; the
seventh triode Q7 is connected to a sixth triode Q6 and an eighth
triode Q8; a third power supply is connected to the second fixed
magnet L2 by the sixth triode Q6; the second fixed magnet L2 is
simultaneously connected to sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth diodes
D6, D7, D8, D9 to rectify output; the fourteenth pin of the first
control chip U3 is connected to an eleventh triode Q11 by a fourth
resistor R19; the eleventh triode Q11 is connected to a twelfth
triode Q12 and a thirteenth triode Q13; a fourth power supply is
connected to the third fixed magnet L3 by the twelfth triode Q12;
the third fixed magnet L3 is simultaneously connected to tenth,
eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth diodes D10, D11, D12, D13 to
rectify output; a twelfth pin of the first control chip U3 is
connected to a fourth triode Q4 by a fifth resistor R15 and to a
fifth triode Q5 by a sixth resistor R22, wherein the fourth triode
Q4 and the fifth triode Q5 switch the working states of the first
fixed magnet L1 and the second fixed magnet L2; and a thirteenth
pin of the first control chip U3 is connected to a ninth triode Q9
by a seventh resistor R18, and to a tenth triode Q10 by a eighth
resistor R21, wherein the ninth triode Q9 and the tenth triode Q10
switch the working states of the first fixed magnet L1 and the
third fixed magnet L3.
[0043] The control module further includes a second control chip U1
being capable of alternatively outputting a low/high electrical
level, when the electronic rocking chair is loaded in a static
state after powered on, after a power switch is switched on, the
second control chip U1 of the control module alternately outputs
the high/low electrical level. The three groups, for example, the
first, second, third triodes Q1, Q2, Q3 (defined as a first group
triodes), the sixth, seventh, eighth triodes Q6, Q7, Q8 (defined as
a second group triodes), and the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth
triodes Q11, Q12, Q13 (defined as a third group triodes),
alternately work to cause the corresponding fixed magnet to produce
an alternate magnetic field, thereby exerting a push-up force to
the moving magnet.
[0044] The disclosures of each and every patent, patent
application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety. The present invention may be
embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or novel
characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this
application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative
and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all
changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
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