Mechanical-Magnetic Connecting Structure With Helical Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical-magnetic connecting structures face challenges in increasing locking force without enlarging mechanical latching elements or magnets, limiting stability and loadability, and have restricted angular ranges for opening, which affects haptic experience and size constraints.
Innovation Solution
The use of helical engagement portions in a mechanical-magnetic connecting structure, where module A and module B are rotatably guided, with magnets and armatures designed for maximum attraction transitioning to repulsion, and featuring a positive lock mechanism with helical engagement portions that increase the undercut or overlap surface, allowing for enhanced loadability and smaller closure designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the resilient element is dimensioned sufficiently strong to ensure mechanical stability and locking function, then the locking force is improved, but the spring force increases requiring a stronger and larger magnet
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent functional parts: a mechanical locking element providing structural strength and a magnetic element providing only the force needed to initiate engagement. The mechanical element bears the full locking load, while the magnet only needs to overcome static friction and spring preload, allowing a smaller, lighter magnet to be used.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from relying solely on magnetic force for both initiation and maintenance of locking to a two-stage process: magnetic force initiates engagement by pushing the locking piece against the resilient element, then mechanical engagement maintains locking. This dimensional separation of functions allows optimization of each component independently.
2Strength
If the overlap surface or undercut surface is increased to improve mechanical stability, then the loadability is improved, but the angular range for locking is reduced limiting the closure design
Solution Approach 1:
The locking piece and resilient locking element are designed with curved, arc-shaped engagement surfaces that follow a portion of a circular path. This curvature allows the components to engage and disengage smoothly through rotation while maintaining a large overlap surface area, effectively decoupling the angular range from the mechanical stability.
3Ease of operation
If a stronger magnet is used to overcome the spring force and enable automatic snapping, then the locking function is improved, but the cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the function of initiating closure (magnetic) from maintaining closure (mechanical). The magnet only needs to provide enough force to push the locking piece against the resilient element's spring force for initial engagement, not to sustain the entire locking load. This segmentation allows using a weaker, cheaper magnet while maintaining automatic snapping functionality.
4Strength
If the diameter of the rotary closure is increased to allow larger overlap surface, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the closure size becomes undesirable for applications like handbags
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the overlap surface area optimization from the radial dimension (diameter) to the axial dimension (depth of engagement). By increasing the depth of the undercut or overlap in the radial direction through curved engagement surfaces, the closure achieves high mechanical stability without increasing the overall diameter, making it suitable for compact applications.
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
This solution significantly increases the mechanical loadability of closures while enabling smaller, lighter, and less expensive designs, providing improved haptic experience and stability through the use of weaker magnets and segmented resilient elements.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic force of attraction either is weakened considerably or a repulsive force is applied, which opens the closure
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic force of attraction either is weakened considerably or a repulsive force is applied, which opens the closure
Implementation Method 3
The locking piece and the resilient locking element overlap or undercut each other in the condition snapped into place
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical-magnetic connecting structure for releasably connecting a first element with a second element is provided. The connecting structure consists of a module A which is firmly connected with the first element or is rotatably arranged in the first element, and a module B which is firmly connected with the second element or is rotatably arranged in the second element. The module A is rotatably guided in module B. In module A at least one magnet and in module B at least one armature or second magnet is arranged and the shape, location and polarity of the magnets or of the magnet and the armature are designed such that when rotating module A relative to module B, the magnets or magnet and armature move from a closed position with maximum magnetic attraction into an open position with weakened magnetic attraction or a magnetic repulsion of module A and module B is obtained.