Foldable magnetized cables
A foldable magnetized cable (FMC) includes two or more segments or folds and produces a persistent magnetic field that aids in aligning and maintaining alignment of the folds during folding for storage or transport. The magnetic field is sufficiently strong to maintain the FMC in a folded state, but not strong enough to prevent a user from easily unfolding the FMC manually. The FMC may include a foldable elongated flexible magnetic component (EFMC) including two or more folds and one or more electrically conductive wires within or adjacent to the foldable EFMC. The foldable EFMC may include a pliable polymer compounded with magnetic particles of iron, neodymium, ferrite, cobalt, nickel, or the like. The foldable EFMC may be exposed to a magnetic field of sufficient magnitude and duration to produce a permanent magnet.
1 . A foldable magnetized cable (FMC), comprising:
a foldable elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC) configured to produce a persistent magnetic field wherein at least some portions of the foldable EFMC are magnetically attracted to at least some other portions of the foldable EFMC when the foldable EFMC is in a folded state, wherein:
the foldable EFMC includes a pliable polymer binder and magnetic particles distributed within the pliable polymer binder to produce multiple magnetic poles;
the foldable EFMC has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a pair of substantially planar and parallel major surfaces wherein the substantially rectangular cross-section is substantially symmetric about an x-axis and a y-axis, and longer in the x-axis than it is in the y-axis wherein the multiple magnetic poles are substantially parallel with the y-axis and arranged in an alternating configuration; and
one or more electrically conductive wires.
2 . The FMC of claim 1 , wherein the multiple magnetic poles facilitate y-axis alignment when the FMC is in the folded state.
3 . The FMC of claim 1 , wherein:
the FMC comprises one or more stiff sections and one or more flexible sections;
the flexible sections provide predefined hinge points; and
the stiff sections define a distance between the predefined hinge points.
4 . The FMC of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the electrically conductive wires are not embedded in the foldable EFMC.
5 . A foldable magnetized cable (FMC), comprising:
a foldable elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC) configured to produce a persistent magnetic field wherein at least some portions of the foldable EFMC are magnetically attracted to at least some other portions of the foldable EFMC when the foldable EFMC is in a folded state, wherein:
the foldable EFMC includes a pliable polymer binder and magnetic particles distributed within the pliable polymer binder;
the foldable EFMC has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a pair of substantially planar and parallel major surfaces; and
one or more electrically conductive wires;
wherein:
the FMC comprises one or more stiff sections and one or more flexible sections;
the flexible sections provide predefined hinge points; and
the stiff sections define a distance between the predefined hinge points;
wherein one or more of the stiff sections incorporate one or more polymeric sheets to add stiffness in specific sections.
6 . A foldable magnetized cable (FMC), comprising:
a foldable elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC) configured to produce a persistent magnetic field wherein at least some portions of the foldable EFMC are magnetically attracted to at least some other portions of the foldable EFMC when the foldable EFMC is in a folded state, wherein:
the foldable EFMC includes a pliable polymer binder and magnetic particles distributed within the pliable polymer binder;
the foldable EFMC has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a pair of substantially planar and parallel major surfaces; and
one or more electrically conductive wires;
wherein:
the FMC comprises one or more stiff sections and one or more flexible sections;
the flexible sections provide predefined hinge points; and
the stiff sections define a distance between the predefined hinge points;
wherein one or more of the flexible sections are perforated, slit, or punched to create flexibility.
7 . A foldable magnetized cable (FMC), comprising:
a foldable elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC) configured to produce a persistent magnetic field wherein at least some portions of the foldable EFMC are magnetically attracted to at least some other portions of the foldable EFMC when the foldable EFMC is in a folded state, wherein:
the foldable EFMC includes a pliable polymer binder and magnetic particles distributed within the pliable polymer binder;
the foldable EFMC has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a pair of substantially planar and parallel major surfaces;
one or more electrically conductive wires; and
an exterior sheath comprising a stretchable yarn.
8 . A foldable magnetized cable (FMC), comprising:
a foldable elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC) configured to produce a persistent magnetic field wherein at least some portions of the foldable EFMC are magnetically attracted to at least some other portions of the foldable EFMC when the foldable EFMC is in a folded state, wherein:
the foldable EFMC includes a pliable polymer binder and magnetic particles distributed within the pliable polymer binder;
the foldable EFMC has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a pair of substantially planar and parallel major surfaces;
one or more electrically conductive wires; and
a lubricant between one or more internal mating surfaces.
9 . A foldable magnetized cable (FMC), comprising:
a foldable elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC) configured to produce a persistent magnetic field wherein at least some portions of the foldable EFMC are magnetically attracted to at least some other portions of the foldable EFMC when the foldable EFMC is in a folded state, wherein:
the foldable EFMC includes a pliable polymer binder and magnetic particles distributed within the pliable polymer binder;
the foldable EFMC has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a pair of substantially planar and parallel major surfaces;
one or more electrically conductive wires, wherein one or more of the electrically conductive wires are embedded in the foldable EFMC.
10 . A method of manufacturing a foldable magnetic cable (FMC), the method comprising:
forming a foldable elongated flexible magnetic component (EFMC) having a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a pair of substantially planar and parallel major surfaces; and;
exposing the foldable EFMC to a magnetic field of sufficient strength to create a persistent magnetic field wherein the persistent magnetic field is oriented wherein at least some portion of the foldable EFMC is magnetically attracted to at least some other portion of the foldable EFMC when the FMC cable is in a folded state; and
incorporating one or more electrically conductive wires within or adjacent to the foldable EFMC.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising exposing the foldable EFMC to a magnetic field in the folded state to create alternating sections of polarity.
12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising heat treatment to impart a desired shape to the cable and installing a connector at each end of the foldable EFMC.
13 . A method of manufacturing a foldable magnetized cable (FMC), the method comprising:
compounding a polymer and magnetic particles to form a foldable elongated flexible magnetic component (EFMC) having a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a pair of substantially planar and parallel major surfaces; and;
cutting the foldable EFMC to a desired length;
magnetizing the foldable EFMC with a strong magnetic field; and
installing a connector at each end of the foldable EFMC.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising extruding the foldable EFMC over one or more electrically conductive wires.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising routing wires alongside the foldable EFMC.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising optionally stiffening one or more sections of the foldable EFMC.