Bridge-Section Connecting Device for Low-Force Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting devices require significant tensile force to engage and disengage components, especially when one component is under load, making it difficult to attach and detach assemblies securely.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device with a magnetic interaction and a transmission part featuring a bridge section that allows the second base body to be displaced relative to the handling section, enabling easier engagement and disengagement by allowing movement independent of the handling section, even under tension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second base body is rigidly connected to the handling section, then the connection between assemblies is secure, but significant tensile force is required to engage and disengage the components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidengagement force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission part is divided into a base section and a bridge section, where the bridge section connects the second base body to the base section. This segmentation allows the second base body to move independently relative to the handling section during engagement, reducing the force needed while maintaining secure connection when engaged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge section is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to bend and deform during the engagement process. This dynamic flexibility enables the second base body to move closer to the first base body with reduced tensile force, while still providing secure engagement when the components are connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the second base body is rigidly connected to the handling section, then the connection is stable, but the required tensile force for disengagement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidtensile force
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission part is segmented into base section and bridge section, allowing the second base body to be decoupled from direct rigid connection to the handling section. This enables stable connection when engaged while reducing the force needed for disengagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge section acts as an intermediary element between the second base body and the base section. It mediates the force transmission, allowing the second base body to move independently during engagement/disengagement while maintaining stable connection when engaged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the second base body is rigidly connected to the handling section, then the structure is simple, but the handling section cannot move independently under tension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidmovement independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission part is divided into simple segments (base section and bridge section) that provide movement independence. The bridge section's flexibility allows the second base body to move independently under tension without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge section is designed as a flexible element that can bend and deform. This flexibility provides movement independence to the second base body while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the flexible bridge section can be implemented with simple geometric features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Facilitates easy attachment and detachment of assemblies by allowing the second base body to move relative to the handling section, reducing the required tensile force and ensuring secure engagement even under load.

Implementation Method 1

The first magnetic device and the second magnetic device interact in a magnetically attractive manner to assist in the attachment of the first connecting part and the second connecting part to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4482355B1Connecting device with a bridge section for a second base body of a second connecting part
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 FIDLOCK GMBH
  • EP4482355B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4482355B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4482355B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The invention relates to a connecting device, having a connecting part (1) that has a first base body (10) and an engagement means (11) having at least one engagement projection (12), and a second connecting part (2) which can be attached to the first connecting part (1) and which has a second base body (20) having at least one engagement section (21) arranged on the second base body (20), wherein the at least one engagement section (21) can be engaged with the engagement means (11) of the first connecting part (1), so that in a connected position, the first connecting part (1) and the second connecting part (2) are held together. In order to transmit a force to the second connecting part (2), so as to disengage the engagement section (21) from the engagement means (11) and to release the second connecting part (2) from the first connecting part (1), a transmission part (3) is provided, which comprises a handling section (30), a base section (31) connected to the handling section (30) and extending along an extension direction (E), and a bridge section (34) connected to the base section (31) at a first end point (341). The second base body (20) is held on the bridge section (34), wherein the bridge section (34) with the second base body (20) can be displaced relative to the base section (31), when the second connecting part (2) is attached to the first connecting part (1).