Patent attributes
Electromechanical lock and method are disclosed. The lock includes: a movable permanent magnet to move between a first position and a second position; a stationary permanent semi-hard magnet; and an electrically powered magnetization coil positioned adjacent to the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet to switch a polarity of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet between a first magnetization configuration and a second magnetization configuration. The first magnetization configuration of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet attracts the movable permanent magnet to the first position. The second magnetization configuration of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet repels the movable permanent magnet to the second position. A magnetic axis of the movable permanent magnet is side by side with a magnetic axis of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet.
