Magnetic Fastening with Protrusion-Recess Locking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic fastening devices are susceptible to disturbances from external forces exceeding the attractive magnetic forces, leading to instability in the connection between units.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating protrusions and recesses on the abutment surfaces with magnets that exert an attractive force parallel to the surfaces, providing a form fit that maintains the connection even when external forces exceed the magnetic force, supplemented by a synergistic effect between magnetic and form-fit fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If only magnetic force is used for fastening, then the fastening device is simple and easy to operate, but the connection becomes unstable when external forces exceed the magnetic force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic fastening with form-fit mechanical engagement by integrating protrusions and recesses into the abutment surfaces. The magnets provide the primary attractive force while the protrusion-recess geometry provides mechanical interlocking, creating a hybrid fastening system that merges two different fastening mechanisms into a single unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system uses a composite approach by combining magnetic materials (for attractive force) with mechanically engineered geometric features (protrusions and recesses). This composite fastening mechanism leverages both magnetic attraction and mechanical form-fit to achieve superior connection stability compared to magnetic fastening alone.
2Reliability
If protrusions and recesses are added to provide form fit, then connection stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The form-fit features (protrusions and recesses) are localized to specific regions of the abutment surfaces rather than requiring complex overall structural changes. This local modification approach adds minimal complexity while providing targeted mechanical interlocking where it is most needed for connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system segments the connection mechanism into distinct functional elements: magnetic components for attraction and geometric protrusion-recess features for mechanical interlocking. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design by dividing the fastening function into manageable, modular elements.
3Reliability
If magnets are displaced to maintain form fit, then mechanical stability without play is achieved, but magnetic fastening force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the force trade-off by introducing a geometric dimension through the protrusion-recess configuration. The magnets are displaced laterally (in the plane of the abutment surface) rather than separated in the direction normal to the surfaces, maintaining mechanical stability through form-fit while preserving magnetic attraction in the critical load-bearing direction.
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 magnetic fastening device achieves a mechanically stable connection without play, ensuring the units remain fastened due to the combined magnetic and form-fit mechanisms, with the magnetic force maintaining the form fit and allowing easy release without moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnet and a second magnet which exert an attractive force on each other
Implementation Method 2
a component of said attractive force extending parallel to said first abutment surface and said second abutment surface maintains said at least one protrusion in said at least one recess
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a magnetic fastening device (100) for releasably fastening a first unit (102) and a second unit (104) to each other, said magnetic fastening device (100) comprising at least one pair (110, 112) of magnets (110a, 110b, 112a, 112b), wherein one (102) of said units is provided with at least one protrusion (106), while the other (104) of said units is provided with at least one recess (108) for receiving said at least one protrusion (106), and wherein a first magnet (110a, 112a) and a second magnet (110b, 112b) of each pair (110, 112) are displaced relative to each other by a displacement distance (d) in a displacement direction (D) such that, in a state in which said units (012, 104) abut against each other, a component (FD) of said attractive force (F) maintains said at least one protrusion (106) in said at least one recess (108).