Magnetic Strap Attachment for Secure and Adjustable Device Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional straps lack ease of personal adjustment and require complex mechanical connections, making them difficult to attach or detach from items, and often require specific orientations for secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic attachment system that uses symmetric or asymmetric magnetic elements to securely attach straps to devices or other straps, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, adjustable lengths, and preferred orientations, combined with mechanical elements for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical connections are used to attach straps to items, then secure attachment is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates making it difficult to attach or detach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical connection systems (buckles, clips, snaps) with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic elements create secure attachment through magnetic attraction forces while allowing easy attachment and detachment by simply bringing the strap near the item or pulling it away, eliminating the complexity of mechanical fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic elements as an intermediary between the strap and the item. These magnetic elements serve as a mediator that provides both secure holding force and easy release capability, acting as a bridge between the strap and the item without requiring direct mechanical interlocking.
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical connections are used, then fixed attachment is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates limiting personal adjustments to length and attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment system where the strap length and attachment points can be easily modified. The magnetic elements are positioned at multiple locations along the strap, allowing users to adjust the length and configuration by simply moving or removing magnetic elements, providing adaptability while maintaining secure attachment through magnetic forces.
3Reliability
If mechanical connections are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity increases making the system difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical connection systems with simple magnetic elements. Instead of using multiple moving parts, springs, latches, and adjustment mechanisms, the invention uses magnetic attraction to provide secure attachment with minimal components, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving attachment security.
4Reliability
If conventional straps are used, then attachment is achieved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates requiring complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces difficult-to-manufacture mechanical connection components with magnetic elements that can be easily integrated into the strap. Magnetic elements can be attached using simple bonding or embedding techniques, eliminating the need for precise mechanical machining, assembly of multiple parts, and quality control of moving components, thereby significantly improving ease of manufacture.
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 attachment system provides a secure, adjustable, and user-friendly method for attaching straps to various items, ensuring easy interchangeability and accommodating different user preferences, such as left- or right-handed use, while maintaining a secure and aesthetically pleasing design.
Implementation Method 1
The attachment element can use any of a number of attachment protocols to secure the attachment point to the separate device or apparatus or in some cases, attach to another attachment element at another attachment point on the length of material. The attachment protocols can include methods and mechanisms such as, for example, a magnetic attraction between a magnetic or ferrous element disposed at the attachment point and a corresponding magnetic element on the separate device.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6A~7B
Figure 8A~9B
AI summary
A system comprising a personal electronic device comprising an attachment element (16) defining an opening, and a strap (12) including a first magnetic feature (14) arranged on an end of the strap (12), wherein the strap extends through the opening and loops around a portion of the attachment element (16), the first magnetic feature (14) couples the end of the strap (12) to a surface of the strap (12), and a second magnetic feature (14) is included in the strap (12), wherein the first magnetic feature is attachable to the second magnetic feature in a plurality of positions.