Magnetic Safety Latch With Spring Bias And Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic safety latches for gates, particularly in applications like swimming pools and playgrounds, face challenges in ensuring that young children cannot operate them while allowing older individuals to do so easily, and there is a need for more consumer choices that are economic, convenient, robust, and safe, with aesthetic considerations.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic latch system comprising a displaceable latch element with a biasing member, a magnetic attracting arrangement, and a retraction element that allows the latch to engage and disengage securely, along with an optional key-locking mechanism for enhanced safety and aesthetics, ensuring the latch remains functional even when locked with the gate open.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the latch mechanism is positioned high to prevent children from reaching it, then safety is improved, but accessibility for older persons deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical latch mechanism with a magnetic latch system. The magnetic attraction force provides the latching action, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components. This allows the latch to be positioned at a height that is safe from children's reach while still being operable by adults through a simple pulling motion on the indicator element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an indicator element as an intermediary component between the user and the magnetic latch mechanism. This indicator element can be pulled to manually retract the latch element, providing a user-friendly interface that maintains safety while ensuring accessibility for all users including older persons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a mechanical latch mechanism is used, then structural strength is improved, but mechanical resistance may prevent the gate from reaching the fully closed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidgate closing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical latch mechanism with a magnetic latch system. The magnetic attraction force provides the latching action, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components. This allows the latch to be positioned at a height that is safe from children's reach while still being operable by adults through a simple pulling motion on the indicator element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the latch element is held firmly in position, then latching reliability is improved, but manual retraction becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching reliabilityVSAvoidmanual retraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a spring element that provides a biasing force to assist in the retraction of the latch element. This dynamic element stores and releases mechanical energy, reducing the manual force required to overcome the magnetic attraction and retract the latch, thereby maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system provides a robust, safe, and aesthetically pleasing solution that prevents young children from opening the gate while allowing older individuals to do so easily, with the key-locking feature ensuring the latch remains operational for safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic attracting arrangement provided in the latch element and the second unit to cause the latch element to move to the projecting position and engage in the engagement structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a displaceable latch element displaceably mounted in a support in a housing and biased by a biasing member to a retracted position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring biasing: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2318626B1Magnetic safety latch

Publication Date: 2013.12.11 D & D GROUP PTY LTD

Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2~3

AI summary

A magnetic latch for a gate has first and second units for mounting on a gate and a gate post respectively. The first unit has a displaceable latch element displaceably mounted in a support in a housing and biased to a retracted position. The second unit has a complementary engagement structure with which a latching portion of the latch element is adapted to engage when the magnetic latch is in a latching position and the latch element is displaced to a projecting position. A magnetic attracting arrangement is provided to cause the latch element to move to the projecting position and engage in the engagement structure when the magnetic latch is in the latching position, and then the engagement structure prevents movement of the door or gate away from the closed position. A retraction element is provided in the first unit for displacing the support and increasing the bias on the latch element to exceed the force of the magnetic attracting arrangement, whereby the latch element moves towards the retracted position and the gate may be moved from the closed position.