Magnetic Snap Latch for One-Handed Animal Accessory Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Snap latches used in animal retention equipment fail to adequately prevent accidental release of accessories and do not facilitate one-handed operation, especially when attaching accessories to moving animals.
Innovation Solution
A snap latch design incorporating a magnet for retention and a release mechanism that allows single-handed operation, with a repulsive force to maintain the latch in the engaged position and a contoured release shelf for easy activation, ensuring items remain secured even if the gate is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional spring-loaded gate is used to close the hook mouth, then the latch can prevent accidental release of accessories, but it requires two-handed operation and cannot reliably retain accessories when the gate is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spring-loaded mechanical gate system with a magnetic field-based retention system. Magnets embedded in the hook mouth create magnetic attraction forces that hold accessories in place without requiring a mechanical gate to physically block them. This substitution enables one-handed operation while maintaining reliable retention, as the magnetic force continuously holds the accessory regardless of gate position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary force between the hook and the accessory. Instead of direct mechanical contact through a gate, the magnetic field acts as a mediator that exerts attractive force on ferromagnetic accessories, holding them securely in the hook mouth. This intermediary magnetic force provides reliable retention while allowing the gate to be operated with one hand.
2Reliability
If a gate is used to obstruct the latch opening to prevent item movement, then accessory retention is improved, but the complexity of the device increases and one-handed operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex mechanical gate obstruction system by substituting it with a magnetic field-based retention mechanism. Magnets are embedded in the hook mouth structure, creating a simple yet effective system that prevents accidental release through magnetic attraction rather than mechanical blocking. This reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the retention function from the mechanical gate system and implements it separately through embedded magnets in the hook mouth. This separation allows the gate to be a simple operable component while the magnets provide the actual retention force, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining prevention of accidental release.
3Reliability
If a strong magnetic field is used to retain accessories, then retention reliability is improved, but the force required to activate the release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies magnetic fields locally at specific points in the hook mouth where accessories are most likely to be retained. By positioning magnets strategically in the hook mouth rather than using a uniform strong magnetic field throughout, the system achieves reliable retention of accessories while minimizing the total magnetic force that must be overcome during release. The local application of magnetic force provides sufficient retention without creating excessive resistance to opening.
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 latch effectively retains accessories with a strong magnetic field and allows one-handed operation, preventing accidental release and maintaining security during use, even when the latch is accidentally opened.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet may be captured by or connected to the hook. The magnet may be positioned on the hook in such a way as to assist in the retention of items inserted into the mouth of the hook through the latch opening.
Implementation Method 2
when the latch is in the disengaged position and is brought in close proximity to a ferromagnetic material, the ferromagnetic material will be drawn through the latch opening and attach to the retaining magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A latch has a hook, with a free end and a gate end; a gate; a latch opening; a release; a retaining magnet; and a repulse. The release is activated to move the latch into a disengaged position. The repulse may act to maintain the latch in an engaged position. The retaining magnet is captured in the hook. The latch opening is a void between the free end and the gate end. The gate is retractably attached to the gate end. The gate extends across the latch opening when in the engaged position. The gate is retracted toward the gate end when in the disengaged position.