Flexible Magnetic Closure Device for Clothing Load Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closure devices for detachable connections, such as on clothing or bags, lack versatility and comfort while failing to securely hold parts together under load, especially in shearing directions.

Innovation Solution

A closure device featuring flexible base bodies with magnetically attractive engagement sections, where the engagement sections are made of deformable materials like thermoplastic elastomers, providing adjustable fit and secure magnetic friction to hold parts together, even under load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rigid materials are used for the base bodies, then the locking device can provide strong structural support, but it cannot be flexibly adapted to various shapes and may cause discomfort during wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various shapesVSAvoidstructural support
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base bodies are made from flexible material that can be elastically deformed, allowing the locking device to adapt to various shapes while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible material enables the device to conform to different surfaces and contours without compromising its load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the base bodies are changed to exhibit both flexibility for adaptation and sufficient strength for structural support. The flexible material allows elastic deformation for shape adaptation while recovering to maintain structural support under load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If rigid materials are used for the engagement sections, then the locking device can provide stable engagement, but it creates noise during opening and closing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable engagementVSAvoidnoise during operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement sections are made from flexible material that dampens impact noise during opening and closing operations. The elastic properties of the material allow for smooth engagement and disengagement while reducing audible clicks or snaps that would occur with rigid materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement sections utilize flexible material that combines the properties of stability for reliable engagement with noise-dampening characteristics. The material provides both mechanical stability for secure locking and acoustic damping for quiet operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the engagement sections are made of flexible material, then the locking device can provide comfortable wear and quiet operation, but the friction between engagement sections may be insufficient under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfortable wearVSAvoidfriction between engagement sections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible material in the engagement sections is designed to provide sufficient friction under load while maintaining comfort during wear. The material's elastic properties allow it to deform and conform to mating surfaces, increasing contact area and friction force when loaded, while remaining soft and comfortable during normal wear conditions.

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

The closure device offers easy attachment and detachment while ensuring secure holding of parts together, absorbing loads and preventing separation, with adjustable fit to various shapes and comfortable wear.

Implementation Method 1

The joining of the locking parts and their retention in the closed position is magnetically supported by the magnetically attractive effect of the magnetic sections of the locking parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a flexible material is understood to be a material that provides elastic, flexible deformability to the first basic body and/or the second basic body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformability: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

By using a flexible material, an advantageous (adhesive) friction can be provided between the engagement sections of the locking components in the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3638069B1Closure device for detachably connecting two parts
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 FIDLOCK GMBH
  • EP3638069B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3638069B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3638069B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~1E

AI summary

The invention relates to a closure device (1) for detachably connecting two parts to each other comprising: a first closure part (2), which has a first main body (20), at least two first engagement sections (21) formed on the first main body (20), which are spaced apart from each other along a loading direction (B) and which form an intermediate space (22) between themselves, and at least one first magnet section (211) arranged on the first main body (20); and a second closure part (3), which has a second main body (30), at least one second engagement section (31) formed on the second main body (30), and at least one second magnet section (311) arranged on the second main body (30). The first closure part (2) and the second closure part (3) can be placed against each other in such a way that, in a closed position, the at least one second engagement section (31) is at least partly received by the intermediate space (22) in order to support a load acting along the loading direction (B) between the first closure part (2) and the second closure part (3), the at least one first magnet section (211) and the at least one second magnet section (311) interacting in an magnetically attracting manner in the closed position. The first main body (20) and/or the second main body (30) is produced from a flexible material at least in some sections. In this way, a closure device for detachably connecting two parts is provided, which closure device can be used in various applications, for example on articles of clothing, such as a shoe, a shirt or a jacket or the like, or to connect other parts.