Magnetic Closure Device with Through-Opening Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closure devices for connecting two parts are not easily variable in use, affecting wearing comfort and ease of operation, and often fail to securely hold loads in both shearing and loading directions.

Innovation Solution

A closure device with a first base body featuring an engagement opening designed as a through opening and a second base body with an engagement section that can protrude, supported by magnetic attraction, allowing for adjustable engagement depth and enhanced frictional hold under load, accommodating different thicknesses and loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the engagement opening is designed as a through-opening, then ferromagnetic dirt can be removed more easily and the engagement depth can be adjusted, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement opening is divided into two separate components: the through-opening in the first base body and the engagement section in the second base body. This segmentation allows the through-opening to be cleaned easily while the engagement section provides the necessary engagement function, resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the engagement section is designed to protrude with additional play, then the engagement can be reinforced under load, but the precision of alignment decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement strengthVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement section is designed with variable engagement depth capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its engagement position based on load conditions. The engagement section can protrude further into the through-opening when loads occur, reinforcing the positive and force-fitting engagement, while maintaining alignment through magnetic attraction in normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement depth parameter is made variable rather than fixed. The engagement section can change its engagement depth from a normal position to a protruded position under load, allowing the system to optimize between alignment precision and engagement strength based on operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the closure device uses magnetic attraction to hold parts together, then the closure is easy to operate, but the holding force may be insufficient under large loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of closureVSAvoidholding force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device merges two holding mechanisms: magnetic attraction and mechanical engagement through the engagement section in the through-opening. The magnetic attraction provides easy operation and initial holding, while the engagement section provides additional mechanical support under large loads, combining the advantages of both mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement section acts as an intermediary element between the magnetic attraction force and the load-bearing structure. It transfers and supplements the magnetic holding force with mechanical engagement, ensuring sufficient holding force under large loads while maintaining ease of operation through magnetic attraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables easy and secure attachment and detachment of the closure parts, maintaining a firm hold under various loads and conditions, ensuring comfortable and versatile use.

Implementation Method 1

Holding the first and second closure parts together in the closed position is magnetically assisted in order to facilitate assuming the closed position and to specify a proper alignment of the first and second closure parts to one another in the closed position. The attachment of the closure parts to each other can also be magnetically supported, namely by a magnetically attractive effect of magnets of the first and second closure parts.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3616553B1Closure device for releasably connecting two parts
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 FIDLOCK GMBH
  • EP3616553B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3616553B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3616553B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The proposed solution relates to a locking device (V) for detachably connecting two parts, comprising a first locking part (1) having a first base body (10) and a second locking part (2) having a second base body (20), wherein the first locking part (1) and the second locking part (2) can be attached to one another in such a way that, in a closed position, the first base body (10) and the second base body (20) are at least partially connected to each other in a form-fitting manner to support a load (Fa, Fb) acting between the first locking part (1) and the second locking part (2) along a load direction, and holding the first and second locking parts (1, 2) together in the closed position is magnetically supported.For example, it is provided that an engagement opening (12) on the first base body (10) is designed as a through opening into which, in the closed position, an engagement section (21) of the second base body (20) projects.