Closure Device With Magnetic Attraction and Mechanical Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for connecting parts are not suitable for carrying large loads and may unintentionally open under excessive loads, lacking a balance between ease of use and high-strength locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a second closure member pivotably attached to a force application element at a strategic location near the locking protrusion, which introduces a force to maintain engagement even under load, combined with magnetic attraction for secure locking and a blocking element to prevent unintended opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnets are used to secure closure members, then the closure device is easy to close, but it cannot carry large loads and may unintentionally open under excessive loads
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into two functional parts: a first closure member with locking protrusion and magnet, and a second closure member with corresponding features. This segmentation allows the magnetic attraction to handle easy closing while the mechanical locking protrusion handles load-bearing, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device combines two different retention mechanisms: magnetic attraction (first magnetic member and second magnetic member) and mechanical positive locking (locking protrusions). This composite approach allows the system to benefit from both the ease of magnetic attraction for closing and the strength of mechanical locking for load-bearing, directly resolving the technical contradiction.
2Strength
If a rigid locking mechanism is used to carry large loads, then the closure strength is high, but the device becomes difficult to open and close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces part of the mechanical locking system with a magnetic field-based retention system. The magnets provide the primary attraction force for holding closure members together, allowing the mechanical locking protrusions to be simpler and easier to engage/disengage, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If magnets are positioned far from the locking protrusion, then the closure members can close easily, but the risk of unintentional opening under load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional qualities at different locations: magnets are positioned to provide attraction force for easy closing, while locking protrusions are positioned at the engagement interface to provide mechanical strength and prevent unintentional opening under load. This local differentiation of function resolves the contradiction between ease of closing and reliability.
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 device provides a strong, reliable closure capable of handling large loads while being easy to open and close, with reduced risk of unintentional opening due to its leveraged magnetic attraction and blocking mechanism, suitable for various applications including safety closures.
Implementation Method 1
The first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are constituted to magnetically attract each other when the second closure member is attached to the first closure member, hence supporting the closing of the closure device by generating an attraction force pulling the closure members into engagement with each other.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure device for releasably connecting two parts with each other includes a first closure member and a second closure member attachable to the first closure member and in a closed position is held on the first closure member. The second closure member has a rigid second locking protrusion, wherein the second locking protrusion can be brought into engagement with the first locking protrusion in an engagement direction and in the closed position engages the first locking protrusion in a positive locking manner. The first closure member includes a first magnetic member and the second closure member includes a second magnetic member, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member being constituted to magnetically attract each other when the second closure member is attached to the first closure member for closing the closure device.