Magnetic Fastening Assembly for Secure Tool-Free Mudguard Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for bicycles, such as mudguards, lack a reliable and user-friendly mechanism for secure attachment and easy detachment, often requiring complex operations or tools.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device featuring a base part and a fastening assembly with magnetic elements and a locking part that interacts magnetically to secure the connection via a fixing element, allowing for easy attachment and detachment by overcoming magnetic forces, and optionally incorporating threaded devices for enhanced security and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking element with fixing element is used to secure the connection between base part and fastening assembly, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of operation for detachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoiddetachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical locking mechanisms (screws, clips, or complex latch systems) with a magnetic field-based locking system. The magnetic element generates a magnetic force that acts on the locking element, providing secure attachment without mechanical interlocking components. This substitution allows for both strong holding force during attachment and simple detachment by overcoming the magnetic force, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and easy removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If magnetic elements are used to assist the locking element in attaching to the base part, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment easeVSAvoidconnection security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two different locking mechanisms into a single integrated system: a magnetic attraction mechanism for ease of attachment and a mechanical fixing element for reliable connection security. The magnetic element provides initial attraction and alignment, making attachment easy, while the fixing element (such as a detent or latch) engages with a corresponding feature on the base part to provide positive mechanical locking. This combination ensures both ease of operation and connection reliability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a locking element with fixing element is used to secure the connection, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems (multiple screws, clips, or interlocking components) with a simplified magnetic-based locking mechanism. The magnetic element provides the primary holding force, eliminating the need for multiple mechanical fastening components. The locking element with fixing element serves as a simple mechanical backup rather than a complex multi-component system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining attachment security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a reliable, secure, and user-friendly fastening mechanism that ensures the mudguard remains attached under load while allowing easy removal without tools, improving usability and durability.

Implementation Method 1

the base part and/or the fastening assembly have a first magnetic element and the locking element have a second magnetic element, which interact magnetically attractively when the base part and the locking element are connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3781826B1Fastening device having a base part and a blocking part
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 FIDLOCK GMBH
  • EP3781826B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3781826B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3781826B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A fastening device (1) comprises a base part (2) and a fastening assembly (4), which can be fitted to each other along a fitting direction (X1), and at least one latching element (22), which is arranged on the base part (2) or fastening assembly (4), wherein in a fitted position, the base part (2) and the fastening assembly (4) are connected to each other in a form fit manner by means of the at least one latching element (22). A blocking part (3) is also provided, which, when the base part (2) and the fastening assembly (4) are in the fitted position, can be connected to the base part (2), wherein the base part (2) and/or the fastening assembly (4) has a first magnetic element (23) and the blocking part (3) has a second magnetic element (33), which interact with one another in a magnetically attracting manner when the base part (2) and the blocking part (3) are connected, wherein the blocking part (3) has a fixing element (32), which is designed to interact with the at least one latching element (22) to block the form-fit connection between the base part (2) and the fastening assembly (4).