Magnetic Joint Using Annular Magnets for Indexed Low-Force Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical joints in movable components are costly to engineer, difficult to assemble, and require significant force to rotate, leading to a cumbersome user experience due to high friction and complex designs.

Innovation Solution

The development of a magnetic joint system using a first and second member with annularly spaced magnets that cooperatively define rotational positions, allowing for smoother rotation and reduced force requirements by utilizing attractive and repulsive magnetic forces without physical contact, thus minimizing friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mechanical joints are used, then structural strength and reliability are maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint reliabilityVSAvoidjoint complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical joints with a magnetic joint system where magnets on the first component interact with magnets on the second component through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces. This eliminates the need for physical mechanical contact, bearings, and complex mechanical interfaces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining joint reliability through magnetic coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional mechanical joints are used, then structural stability is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to high friction and force requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint stabilityVSAvoidrotation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic joint system replaces mechanical contact-based rotation with magnetic field-based interaction. The magnets are arranged to provide attractive forces at desired rotational positions and repulsive forces to prevent unwanted rotation, eliminating friction and the need for significant operational force while maintaining joint stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the joint from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By arranging magnets with specific polarities (alternating north and south poles) on both components, the system creates positional-dependent magnetic forces that provide stable rotational positions without physical contact, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional mechanical joints are used, then rotational positioning is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational positioning precisionVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a simpler magnetic coupling system. The magnets are embedded in or attached to the component surfaces, and their alternating polarity arrangement automatically creates precise rotational positions through magnetic attraction and repulsion, eliminating the need for precision-machined mechanical interfaces and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The magnetic joint system simplifies assembly, reduces the number of moving parts, and provides a smoother tactile response with lower force requirements for rotation, making it more efficient and user-friendly compared to conventional mechanical joints.

Implementation Method 1

The first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets are configured to cooperatively define a plurality of rotational positions between the first component and the second component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11913574B2Magnetic joint

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 KOHLER CO(US)

AI summary

A magnetic joint includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first plurality of magnets spaced annularly apart from each other. The second member includes a second plurality of magnets spaced annularly apart from each other. The first member is rotatably coupled to the second member. The first member is configured to be coupled to a first component and the second member is configured to be coupled to a second component. The first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets are configured to cooperatively define a plurality of rotational positions between the first component and the second component.