Magnetic Clasp Locking Mechanism Eliminates Plastic Deformation Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding clasp technologies face issues with wear and fragility due to the need for plastic deformation during locking and unlocking, leading to reduced security and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A clasp design featuring male and female locking elements with a pin and recess system that minimizes deformation, providing secure engagement without plastic deformation, and includes a locking force that presses blades together for enhanced security and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional notched locking parts are used in folding clasps, then the locking mechanism can engage blades, but the locking parts wear out quickly and risk breaking due to plastic deformation during locking and unlocking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical locking system based on plastic deformation with a magnetic locking system. Magnets are embedded in the locking parts to provide holding force through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for plastic deformation during engagement and disengagement. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable locking while preventing wear and breakage associated with repeated plastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of locking mechanism from plastic deformation to magnetic attraction. By using magnets with specific magnetic field strengths and positions, the locking force is generated without mechanical stress concentration, thereby extending the service life of locking parts while maintaining security.
2Strength
If the locking mechanism uses plastic deformation to secure blades, then the blades can be locked together, but the locking parts experience high stress and wear during each operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes magnetic attraction for mechanical plastic deformation. Magnets embedded in the locking parts generate holding force through magnetic fields, eliminating stress concentration and wear that occur during repeated engagement and disengagement operations. This maintains strong locking force while removing the harmful wear effect.
3Reliability
If a folding clasp uses a pin passing through a beak in a transverse groove for locking, then the blades can be secured, but the beak wears out quickly and requires high deformation threshold making it inconvenient to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pin-beak-groove system with a magnetic locking system. Magnets provide the locking force without requiring the beak to deform or the pin to pass through repeatedly, eliminating wear on the beak and reducing the force threshold for operation. This maintains secure locking while significantly improving ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
The clasp (100) has a central strip (1) and a strip (2) articulated around a hinge and attached to strands of a flexible bracelet. A locking mechanism fixes one of the strips at another strip when the strips are folded on each other in a closing position of the clasp. The mechanism includes a male locking element (7) and a female locking element that are mutually engaged with each other in a closing position of the clasp. One of the strips exerts locking force between the locking elements to maintain the mutual engagement of the elements in the closing position of the clasp.