Magnet-Armature Closure with Dual-Function Spring Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure designs for handbags, furniture, and doors are large, heavy, and require large magnets, leading to increased costs and a need for more compact and cost-effective solutions with improved haptics for easy operation.
Innovation Solution
A snap-in magnet closure system featuring a magnet-armature construction with dual-function spring locking elements that are flexible during closure but rigid during opening, allowing for automatic closure by magnetic force and providing high locking strength, enabling a smaller and more stable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hand-operated closures with resilient closing detent are used, then the closure can be securely locked, but the construction volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring-based resilient closing detent with a magnet-armature construction. The magnetic force automatically pulls the closure modules together to engage the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for large mechanical springs and reducing overall closure weight while maintaining secure locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating principle from mechanical force (springs) to magnetic force. This parameter change allows for a more compact design with smaller dimensions, as magnetic fields can be generated with minimal physical components compared to mechanical spring systems.
2Force
If traditional spring locking elements are used, then the closure provides locking force, but the spring must be pushed aside during opening increasing operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet-armature construction performs the closing action automatically through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for manual intervention to compress springs. The system serves itself by using magnetic force to both close and secure the closure without requiring the user to overcome spring pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring pushing-aside mechanism with a magnetic field-based system. The magnetic attraction naturally pulls the components together for locking, and opening simply requires overcoming this magnetic attraction without any additional mechanical manipulation of spring elements.
3Extent of automation
If large magnets are used to ensure sufficient magnetic force, then automatic closure is achieved, but costs and construction volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the magnetic system parameters by using high-energy-density magnets and optimizing the magnetic circuit design. This allows achieving sufficient magnetic force for automatic closure with significantly smaller magnet dimensions, reducing both weight and cost while maintaining full automation capability.
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 solution results in a compact, cost-effective closure system with improved haptics, allowing for easy operation and high locking strength, reducing the need for large magnets and enabling efficient use in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet-armature construction with at least one magnet in closure module 1 and an anchor or second magnet in closure module 2, the magnet-armature construction being designed in such a way that closure module 1 and closure module 2 are automatically pulled together in the closing direction X by means of the magnetic force
Implementation Method 2
the spring of the spring locking element is designed and arranged in such a way that it has a dual function: When closing, the spring yields in a flexible manner in the Z direction
Implementation Method 3
when the closure is loaded in the opposite direction to the X closing direction, the spring is rigid. This ensures a high locking force of the closure
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to a closure for closing preferably handbags, furniture, doors, and comparable objects, made of a first closure module (1) and a second closure module (2) having the following characteristics: a magnet-anchor design (21, 22) pulling closure module (1) and closure module (2) together in the closing direction, closure module (1) and closure module (2) being rotatable or displaceable laterally to the closing direction X for opening in the opening direction Y, a locking device having at least one spring locking element (9) made of an engaging protrusion (9a) and a spring (9z), wherein the locking piece (7a) pushes the spring locking element aside in a direction Z when closing and then engages with the engaging protrusion, and wherein the locking piece and the spring locking element are pushed against each other from an engagement position into a non-engagement position when displacing closure module (1) and closure module (2) in the opening direction Y, wherein the spring of the spring locking element is designed and disposed so as to have a double function, i.e. the spring resiliently deflects in the direction Z during the closing action while being rigid when the closure is loaded against the closing direction X.