Granted Patent B2

US 12,638,346 · App. 18/364,255 · Granted May 26, 2026

Inventors: Alan J. O'Donnell (Castletroy, IE); Javier Calpe Maravilla (Algemesi, ES); Jan Kubík (Limerick, IE); Jochen Schmitt (Biedenkopf, DE); Shaun Bradley (Patrickswell, IE); Stanislav Jolondcovschi (Carlow, IE); Padraig L. Fitzgerald (Mallow, IE); Alfonso Berduque (Crusheen, IE); Gavin Patrick Cosgrave (Enniscorthy, IE); Michael P. Lynch (Bruff, IE); Eoin Edward English (Pallasgreen, IE)

Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company

G01L1/12B25J19/02

Abstract

Claims (24)

1 . A method of force detection, the method comprising:

providing a container with magnetically sensitive material therein, wherein the magnetically sensitive material comprises magnetically sensitive particles in a phase change material; and

detecting, using one or more sensors, a profile of the magnetically sensitive material in the container associated with a force applied to the container, wherein the profile includes magnetically sensitive material concentrated in one or more particular areas within the container.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the container includes one or more structures configured to contribute to actively displace the magnetically sensitive material in response to the force applied to the container.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the one or more structures comprise inert material.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises detecting a signature that is based on a combination of the container, the profile of the magnetically sensitive material, and the one or more sensors.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises one or more structures having a mechanical structure configured to concentrate the magnetically sensitive material in the one or more particular areas.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein an object applies the force to container, and the object comprises a mechanical structure configured to concentrate the magnetically sensitive material in the one or more particular areas.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the profile includes magnetically sensitive material concentrated in at least two particular areas within the container.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are included in a robotic handling device.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are included in at least one of a docking station or a charging port.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are integrated with the container and comprise patterned magnetic material.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically sensitive material comprises magnetically sensitive particles in a fluid.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically sensitive material comprises magnetically sensitive particles embedded in a film.

13 . A system with force detection, the system comprising:

magnetically sensitive material within a container, wherein the magnetically sensitive material is within a deformable medium, wherein the magnetically sensitive material comprises magnetically sensitive particles, and the deformable medium comprises a phase change material;

one or more structures configured to concentrate at least some of the magnetically sensitive material in one or more particular areas within the container based at least partly on interacting with the deformable medium in response to a force applied to the container; and

one or more sensors configured to detect a profile of the magnetically sensitive material associated with the force applied to the container.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more structures comprise inert material configured to contribute to actively displace the magnetically sensitive material in response to the force applied to the container.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more structures are external to an inner volume of the container.

16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more structures are integrated with a side of the container opposite to where the force is applied to the container.

17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the system is included in a robotic handling device.

18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the system is included in at least one of a docking station or a charging port.

19 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising a temperature sensor integrated with the container.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (3)

References Cited (145)