Magnetic Closure Latch for Secure Load-Holding and Easy Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices are difficult to close securely and comfortably, and opening them requires significant effort, lacking ease of use and efficient connection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with magnetic elements that attract closure parts for easy secure engagement and an actuating element that allows effortless disengagement, combined with a resilient connection and force transmission element to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a locking element is secured by force action on a force transmission element in the locking direction, then the connection between closure parts is strengthened, but the device becomes more difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces part of the mechanical locking system with magnetic interaction. Magnetic elements are integrated into the closure parts to provide an additional holding force that assists the mechanical locking element. This substitution reduces the reliance on purely mechanical force transmission, allowing the locking element to be secured with less mechanical force while maintaining strong connection, thereby easing the opening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device combines different types of connection mechanisms - mechanical locking element, force transmission element, and magnetic elements - into a composite system. This composite approach allows the device to leverage the advantages of each mechanism: the mechanical elements provide secure locking and controlled release, while the magnetic elements provide additional holding force and assist in alignment, resulting in both strong connection and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If magnetic elements are added to assist closing of closure parts, then the ease of closing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic elements serve multiple functions within the closure device. They assist in closing by providing attractive force that pulls the closure parts together, they supplement the locking element by providing additional holding force, and they aid in alignment during the closing process. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the closure system by introducing magnetic fields as an additional interaction mechanism. The magnetic elements create a magnetic force field that acts between the closure parts, adding a new dimension to the closing and holding mechanism. This parameter change (adding magnetic attraction) significantly improves ease of closing while the modular integration keeps the complexity increase manageable.
3Speed
If the locking element is automatically engaged by magnetic attraction, then the closing speed is improved, but the control over engagement precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic elements act as intermediaries that facilitate the closing process. They provide a gentle attractive force that guides the closure parts toward each other and assists in the automatic engagement of the locking element. The magnetic field serves as a mediator that speeds up the closing action while the mechanical locking element maintains precision control, combining the benefits of fast automatic engagement with precise positioning.
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 firm, automatic connection that is easy to close and comfortable to open, ensuring secure attachment and quick release with minimal user effort.
Implementation Method 1
the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element interact in a magnetically attractive manner when the locking element and the engagement element are placed against one another
Implementation Method 2
a force transmission element which is operatively connected to the locking element and can be loaded along a force direction... the locking element is loaded in a locking direction by the force action of the force transmission element
Implementation Method 3
a resilient connection is created between the closure parts by the force transmission element being operatively connected to the locking element
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a closure device (1) comprising: a first closure part (2) which has a locking element (24), a force transmission element (21) that can be loaded in a force direction (F) and is operatively connected to the locking element (24), and an actuation element (23) that can be moved relative to the locking element (24); and a second closure part (3) which has an engagement element (31), wherein, in order to connect the first closure part (2) and the second closure part (3), the locking element (24) and the engagement element (31) can be joined together and interconnected in a closed position. In the closed position, when the force transmission element (21) is loaded in the force direction (F), the locking element (24) is loaded in a locking direction (E) towards contact with the engagement element (31) by the action of force of the force transmission element (21). The actuation element (23) can be actuated to move the locking element (24) counter to the locking direction (E) in order to release the connection between the locking element (24) and the engagement element (31). The first closure part (2) has a first magnet element (22) and the second closure part (32) has a second magnet element (32).