Closure Device Guide Elements and Magnetic Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices face difficulties in opening due to mechanical hold issues, where the connector can become stuck or tilted in the housing, impairing operability, especially when a detent spring element is involved.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating guide elements at the connector or housing to prevent tilting and ensure axial movement, combined with magnetic means for assisted opening and closing, allowing for simple and haptic pleasant operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detent spring element mechanically holds the connector at the housing in a closed position, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the connector may become tilted or stuck in the connector receptacle during opening, impairing operability
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary force between the connector and housing. The magnetic field provides a holding force that maintains connection reliability without requiring strong mechanical engagement that would cause tilting or sticking during opening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces part of the mechanical holding system with a magnetic field-based holding system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical engagement of the detent spring element, the magnetic field provides a non-contact holding force that eliminates friction and mechanical binding, allowing smooth opening operations without tilting or sticking.
2Ease of operation
If the opening direction is different from the closing direction, then the opening operation can be distinguished from closing operation, but friction and loading on the connector may cause tilting in the connector receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field replaces mechanical friction-based positioning with a non-contact holding force. This eliminates the friction that causes tilting during opening operations while maintaining the ability to distinguish between opening and closing directions through the mechanical slide mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the holding force from mechanical contact (with friction) to magnetic field interaction (without friction). This parameter change in the nature of the holding force eliminates the tilting problem while preserving directional operation distinction.
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 guide elements maintain the connector's position, facilitating easy insertion and removal, while magnetic assistance enhances the closing and opening processes, ensuring smooth operation and preventing tilting, thus improving the closure device's usability.
Implementation Method 1
a detent spring element which in a closed position of the closure device latchingly holds the connector at the housing and for opening the closure device can be moved out of engagement with the connector
Implementation Method 2
a magnet-armature construction is provided, which effects a force of magnetic attraction between the connector and the housing for supporting the closing operation of the closure device
Data Source
AI summary
A closure device for connecting two parts is provided. The closure device includes a connector, a housing which includes a connector receptacle, into which the connector can be inserted in a closing direction for closing the closure device, a slide shiftably arranged at the housing, which for opening the closure device is shiftable along an opening direction different from the closing direction, a detent spring element which in a closed position of the closure device latchingly holds the connector at the housing and for opening the closure device can be moved out of engagement with the connector by shifting the slide in the opening direction, in order to release the connector from the housing, so that in an open position of the closure device the connector is separated from the housing, and at least one guide element which guides the connector on insertion into the connector receptacle for closing the closure device along the closing direction into the closed position and supports the connector against tilting relative to the closing direction when the slide is shifted for opening the closure device.