Magnetic Fixings and Connectors with Rotational Locking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic fixing arrangements lack a mechanism that allows for secure axial and rotational movement between magnetic components while preventing sheer or folding motions, which limits their application in various domains such as furniture, bathroom equipment, and toys.

Innovation Solution

A push-pull mechanism featuring first and second magnetic components that are axially and rotationally movable, with magnetic poles oriented to switch between locking and unlocking positions, utilizing guides made of antimagnetic materials to prevent unwanted motion, and additional mechanisms to stabilize the straddling position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If magnetic components are made rotatable relative to guides, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to prevent unwanted motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational movement capabilityVSAvoidprevention of unwanted motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic component is designed with selective mobility: it can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the guide for operation, but is constrained against translation and folding motions. This dynamic constraint system allows the component to be rotatable when needed while preventing unwanted motion through magnetic coupling and geometric constraints between the magnetic component and guides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing arrangement is divided into separate functional elements: guides that provide structural support and constraint, and magnetic components that provide controlled mobility. The guides remain fixed while the magnetic components rotate, segmenting the functions of constraint and movement into separate elements that work together

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If magnetic components are made axially movable, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional constraint mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial movement capabilityVSAvoidconstraint mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical constraint mechanisms (screws, clips, latches) are replaced with magnetic fields for axial movement control. The magnetic attraction and repulsion forces between the magnetic components and guides provide axial constraint and release without complex mechanical structures, simplifying the overall device while maintaining functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If magnetic components straddle two guides, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in unlocking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidunlocking operation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic component uses periodic reversal of magnetic polarity through rotation to achieve unlocking. By rotating 180 degrees, the magnetic poles reverse, changing the magnetic interaction from attractive to repulsive (or vice versa), which automatically releases the straddling constraint. This periodic action simplifies unlocking to a simple rotation rather than requiring manual release mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables secure attachment and detachment of parts with aesthetic, haptic, and cost-effective solutions, suitable for diverse applications by preventing sheer or folding motions, thus enhancing usability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

having magnetic poles oriented such that rotation of said first magnetic component causes relative axial movement of the magnetic components between a locking position and an unlocking position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20170301446A1Magnetic fixings and connectors

Publication Date: 2017.10.19 INELXIA

AI summary

A mechanism for fixing together first and second parts and comprising first and second guides provided respectively in or attached to the first and second parts. The mechanism further comprises first and second magnetic components coupled respectively to the first and second guides such that the first magnetic component is rotatable with the first guide and the first part, and the second magnetic component cannot rotate relative to the second guide, the magnetic components being moveable axially and rotationally with respect to each other and having magnetic poles oriented such that rotation of said first magnetic component causes relative axial movement of the magnetic components between a locking position in which one of the magnetic components straddles the two guides and an unlocking position in which it does not straddle the two guides.