Magnetic Snap-In Holder Release Without Clearance Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding devices require clearance for component release and do not securely hold the component after release, leading to potential falling issues.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with movable detent elements not influenced by magnetic force, using a locking element made of ferromagnetic material that is pre-tensioned by a spring and moved by magnetic force to release the component, ensuring secure holding and removal without clearance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the component is pressed further into the holding device to release the connection, then the magnetic force can act on the detent elements to tilt them out of the groove, but clearance must be provided between the holding device and the component
Solution Approach 1:
The detent element is divided into two independent functional parts: a magnetic portion that responds to magnetic force for tilting, and a detent portion that maintains the latching position. This segmentation allows the magnetic portion to move independently under magnetic influence while the detent portion remains positioned to engage the groove, eliminating the need for clearance during release operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic portion acts as an intermediary between the magnetic field and the detent element. This intermediary component is tiltable under magnetic force while the detent element itself remains in position, mediating the release function without requiring the detent element to move out of its latching position.
2Ease of operation
If the detent element is completely released from the groove, then the component can be removed, but the component becomes unsecured and may fall off
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the detent element into a magnetic portion and a detent portion, the invention ensures that the detent portion remains in the groove to maintain component security, while the magnetic portion tilts to enable release. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing removal capability while maintaining continuous support.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent portion continuously engages the groove to prevent the component from falling, providing preliminary support that counteracts gravity and potential dropping hazards. This preliminary anti-action maintains security throughout the release process while allowing controlled removal.
3Reliability
If the detent element is spring-loaded to latch into the groove, then the connection is secure, but the detent element must be movable to allow release
Solution Approach 1:
The detent element is segmented into a spring-loaded detent portion that provides secure latching and a separate magnetic portion that responds to magnetic force. This segmentation allows the detent element to maintain security through spring loading while enabling simple magnetic actuation for release, reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the need for mechanical movement of the entire detent element with magnetic actuation of the magnetic portion. Instead of mechanically pushing or pulling the detent element, a magnetic field is used to tilt the magnetic portion, simplifying the release mechanism while maintaining secure latching through the spring-loaded detent portion.
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 component holding without clearance and reliable release without manual pressing, preventing unwanted detent element movement and ensuring component safety during removal.
Implementation Method 1
the locking element to be moved by the magnetic force into its release position
Implementation Method 2
the holding device to have a spring element which pretensions the locking element in the direction of its inhibited position
Data Source
AI summary
A holding device (10) for holding a component (12), the holding device (10) being convertible from a component holding mode into a component release mode by magnetic force. The holding device (10) for holding the component (12) has a movable detent element (14), the position of which is not influenced by the magnetic force. A method for releasing a snap-in connection between a holding device (10) and a component (12) is also provided, having the following steps: generating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the holding device (10); and applying a force that moves the holding device (10) and the component (12) apart from each other to release the snap-in connection.