Magnetic Fastening with Form-Fit Locking Under External Forces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic fastening devices are susceptible to external forces exceeding the attractive magnetic forces, leading to instability in the fastening of units.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating protrusions and recesses with a form fit mechanism, where the attractive force between magnets maintains the protrusion in the recess, providing a synergistic effect between magnetic and form-fit fastening, and using active magnets for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If magnetic fastening devices are used to fasten units, then easy fastening and release is achieved, but stability under external forces deteriorates when external forces exceed the attractive magnetic forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of fastening and releaseVSAvoidstability under external forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines magnetic attraction with form-fit mechanical engagement by integrating protrusions and recesses into the magnetic fastening system. The magnets provide the primary attractive force while the protrusion-recess geometry provides mechanical interlocking, creating a hybrid fastening mechanism that maintains both ease of operation and high reliability under external forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system uses a composite approach combining magnetic fields (from permanent magnets) with mechanical form-fit structures (protrusions and recesses). This composite fastening mechanism leverages both magnetic attraction and geometric interlocking to achieve superior performance compared to either mechanism alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If form fit mechanism with protrusions and recesses is added to magnetic fastening, then stability under external forces is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability under external forcesVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the form-fit mechanism directly into the magnetic fastening structure, combining two fastening functions into a single unified system. The protrusions and recesses are incorporated as integral features of the fastening components rather than separate mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining enhanced stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 with minimal play, remaining secure even under external forces, and allows for easy release without moving parts, enhancing the reliability and usability of the fastening system.

Implementation Method 1

a first magnet and a second magnet exerting an attractive force to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4201242A1Magnetic fastening device
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 CARDO SYST LTD
  • EP4201242A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4201242A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4201242A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A magnetic fastening device (100) for releasably fastening a first unit (102) and a second unit (104) to each other, said first unit (102) having a first unit abutment surface (102a), and said second unit (104) having a second unit abutment surface (104a), said first unit abutment surface (102a) and said second unit abutment surface (104a) being adapted for abutment against each other, and said magnetic fastening device (100) further comprising at least one pair (110, 112) of magnets (110a, 110b, 112a, 112b), a first magnet (110a, 112a) of said pair (110, 112) of magnets being allocated to the first abutment surface (102a), and a second magnet (110b, 112b) of said pair (110, 112) of magnets being allocated to the second abutment surface (104a), said first magnet (110a, 112a) and said second magnet (110b, 112b) exerting an attractive force (F) to each other.