Magnetic Releasable Coupling for Slide Fastener Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operations for mounting a slide fastener to a set of coupling elements can be challenging, especially for users with limited hand mobility, as it requires gripping and positioning both the slide fastener and the coupling elements.
Innovation Solution
A releasable coupling device comprising a first housing structure with a temporary magnet and a second housing structure with a permanent magnet, allowing for easy coupling and uncoupling by magnetic attraction, which simplifies the mounting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual mounting operations are used to attach slide fastener to coupling elements, then the coupling can be securely fastened, but the ease of operation deteriorates for users with limited hand mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical gripping and positioning operations with a magnetic field-based coupling system. The permanent magnet in the first housing structure and temporary magnet in the second housing structure create magnetic attraction that automatically draws the coupling elements together, eliminating the need for users to manually grip and position both components simultaneously. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with magnetic field interactions directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining secure fastening while dramatically improving ease of operation for users with limited hand mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system enables self-alignment and self-attachment of the housing structures. When brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the permanent and temporary magnets automatically guides the components into their coupled state without requiring precise manual positioning. The system serves itself by using the magnetic field to perform the alignment and attachment functions that would otherwise require manual dexterity, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable connection.
2Reliability
If permanent mounting is used to attach slide fastener to coupling elements, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates when mounting/demounting is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic magnetic coupling that can transition between coupled and uncoupled states. The permanent magnet provides continuous magnetic field generation, while the temporary magnet responds dynamically to proximity - becoming magnetized when near the permanent magnet and demagnetizing when moved away. This dynamic behavior enables the connection to be reliably formed when needed while allowing easy separation and reattachment, providing both connection reliability and remounting capability that static permanent mounting cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in magnetic properties as a parameter to control the coupling state. The temporary magnet's magnetic susceptibility changes based on its proximity to the permanent magnet - exhibiting magnetic attraction when within the magnetic field range and losing magnetism when moved beyond it. This parameter change allows the system to provide strong, reliable coupling during use while enabling simple separation by moving components beyond the magnetic field, achieving both connection reliability and adaptability for remounting.
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 releasable coupling device facilitates easier and more accessible mounting of slide fasteners, reducing the manual dexterity required and making it usable by a broader range of individuals, including those with limited hand mobility.
Implementation Method 1
the permanent magnet and the temporary magnet are configured to magnetically attract when the temporary magnet is within a magnetic field of the permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
The temporary magnet is configured to be demagnetized at a distance that is greater than the coupling distance
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Aspects herein are directed to a releasable coupling device (10) having a first housing structure (100) that includes a temporary magnet (110) and a second housing structure (200) that includes a permanent magnet (210). The first housing structure (100) is receivable by a receiving receptacle (220) of the second housing structure (200). The releasable coupling device (10) may be included as a part of a slide fastener assembly (300) having two slider tapes (310,320).