Logitech International has been granted a patent for a computer peripheral device featuring an electropermanent magnet assembly and magnetorheological material. This technology allows the viscosity of the MR material to change with the magnetic field, influencing the performance characteristics and frictional resistance in a clutch assembly for input devices. GlobalData’s report on Logitech International gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
According to GlobalData’s company profile on Logitech International, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Logitech International's grant share as of July 2024 was 74%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Magnetorheological clutch assembly for computer peripheral devices
The patent US12073029B2 describes a clutch assembly designed for input devices, featuring an input shaft and an output shaft that are coaxially aligned. The assembly incorporates an electropermanent magnet (EPM) system, which includes a permanent magnet and a magnetizing assembly to control the magnetic field. A chamber between the shafts contains magnetorheological (MR) material, whose viscosity can be altered by the magnetic field, thereby providing variable frictional resistance to the rotational movement between the input and output shafts. The assembly is capable of operating in multiple modes, allowing for different levels of resistance based on the viscosity of the MR material, which can be adjusted to either facilitate or restrict the rotation of the shafts.
The claims further detail the operational modes of the clutch assembly, where the first mode allows for low resistance, enabling free rotation, while the second mode increases resistance to prevent rotation. The design includes interleaved plates on both shafts to enhance frictional resistance in the second mode. Additionally, the assembly can be integrated into various input devices, such as computer mice and keyboards, and includes a method for operating the clutch based on input data that determines the desired mode of operation. This innovative approach to clutch design leverages the properties of MR materials and magnetic fields to provide adaptable control in input devices.
To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Logitech International, buy the report here.
Data Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
