Magnetic Closure Contact Assembly for Secure Electrical Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices lack a mechanism for easy, secure, and reliable connection and disconnection of parts, particularly for electrical assemblies, ensuring both mechanical stability and electrical contact.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with engagement projections that engage in a positive-locking manner, assisted by magnetic attraction and a locking element to prevent accidental separation, allowing for easy assembly and secure mechanical connection while establishing electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If engagement projections are designed for positive-locking engagement, then mechanical stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical engagement with a hybrid system combining magnetic attraction and mechanical positive-locking engagement. The magnetic device assists the engagement projections to snap together automatically, reducing assembly force requirements while maintaining secure mechanical connection upon engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic device acts as an intermediary between the engagement projections during assembly. It provides attractive force to guide and assist the projections into their engaged position, making the assembly process easier while the projections themselves maintain the secure mechanical connection.
2Reliability
If a locking element is added to prevent accidental separation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is merged with the engagement projection structure itself rather than being a separate component. The engagement projection is designed with an integrated locking feature that automatically engages with the other closure part, providing accidental separation prevention without adding separate locking mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If magnetic attraction force is used to assist placement, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to magnet positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic device serves multiple functions: it provides attraction force during assembly, guides the engagement projections into proper alignment, and maintains the closed position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for extremely precise magnet positioning, as the magnetic field provides a tolerance buffer for alignment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrical contact elements are integrated into closure parts, then adaptability is improved for electrical assemblies, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact elements are merged with the closure parts themselves rather than being separate components. The closure parts are designed to provide both mechanical closure function and electrical contact function through integrated contact elements that engage when the closure parts are assembled.
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
Facilitates easy and secure attachment of electrical assemblies with magnetic assistance, ensuring a firm hold and reliable electrical contact without accidental disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic device acting between the first closure part and the second closure part, which serves to assist the attachment of the first closure part and the second closure part to one another by providing a magnetic attraction force
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3A~3D
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
A locking device (1) for releasably connecting two parts comprises a first locking part (2) having a first engagement projection (220, 221) and a second locking part (3) having a second engagement projection (320, 321), wherein the first locking part (2) and the second locking part (3) can be attached to one another to close the locking device (1) and are mechanically connected to each other in a closed position by the first engagement projection (220, 221) and the second engagement projection (320, 321) engaging with each other in a form-fitting manner in the closed position. A magnetic device (25, 35) acting between the first locking part (2) and the second locking part (3) is designed to assist the attachment of the first locking part (2) and the second locking part (3) to one another by providing a magnetic attraction force.It is provided that the first locking part (2) has at least one first electrical contact element (24) and the second locking part (3) has at least one second electrical contact element (34), wherein in the closed position the at least one first electrical contact element (24) and the at least one second electrical contact element (34) are electrically contacting each other in operative connection.