Overmolded Magnetic Latch for Vehicle Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical latches in vehicles suffer from vibrations, noise, and degradation issues due to plastic components, leading to rattling, squeaking, and a lack of quality feel, and fail to adequately accommodate variations in plastic and metal thicknesses and production tolerances, resulting in poor lid closure and potential breakage.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic latch assembly featuring overmolded magnets with vibration-dampening rubber, which provides a magnetic attraction for easy lid closure and compensation for magnetic degradation, reducing noise and maintaining a consistent attracting force, and can be easily replaced without replacing the entire latch mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical latches with plastic springs are used, then the latch can engage and disengage the lid, but the plastic degrades over time resulting in loss of elasticity, rattling, and buzzing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical plastic spring system with a magnetic field-based retention system. The magnet provides continuous holding force without mechanical contact or wear, eliminating the degradation issues of plastic springs while maintaining reliable engagement and disengagement of the lid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating principle from elastic mechanical force to magnetic field force. This parameter change allows the retention mechanism to operate without material degradation, as magnetic fields do not suffer from fatigue or loss of elasticity like plastic springs.
2Force
If conventional mechanical latches with exposed magnets are used, then magnetic attraction can be provided, but the exposed magnets contact other surfaces resulting in vibration, chattering, rattling, and buzzing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic holder as an intermediary component between the magnet and the contacting surfaces. This holder acts as a buffer that prevents direct contact between the magnet and other surfaces, thereby eliminating vibration, chattering, and noise while preserving the magnetic attraction force.
3Reliability
If conventional mechanical latches require multiple actions (squeeze and lift) are used, then the latch can be securely engaged, but the operation becomes complex and requires multiple manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex mechanical linkage and multiple-action mechanism from the latch system. By using a simple magnet-magnetic holder arrangement, the system achieves secure engagement through a single natural action (closing the lid) while maintaining reliability, eliminating the need for squeeze and lift operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanical latches are used, then the latch can accommodate various thicknesses and tolerances, but the plastic components vibrate and produce plastic snap sounds resulting in low quality feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical plastic contact system with a magnetic field system. The magnetic field continuously adapts to thickness variations and tolerances without producing vibration or noise, as there is no mechanical impact or plastic-to-plastic contact, thereby eliminating plastic snap sounds while maintaining adaptability.
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 latch assembly effectively reduces vibrations and noise, maintains a consistent closure force, and adapts to environmental changes, providing a high-quality, durable, and ergonomic solution for lid closure with reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet is attached to a container and a magnetic holder is attached to a lid. The magnet provides a magnetic attraction to the magnetic holder to hold the lid closed.
Implementation Method 2
The vibration dampening material can include a rubber overmold of the magnet. The magnet can be attached to a container and the magnetic holder can be attached to a lid. The magnet provides a magnetic attraction to the magnetic holder to hold the lid closed. The vibration dampening material absorbs vibrations.
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic latch for a lid and the bin of a container in a vehicle comprises at least one overmolded magnet detachably connected to a lid. A metal portion is magnetically attracted with the overmolded magnet. At least one overmolded magnet is connected to a bin having a magnetic attraction with the lid overmolded magnet to magnetically open and close the lid and the bin of the container. The overmold on the magnet encloses the magnet with vibration dampening material such as rubber. The metal portion may be a second at least one overmolded magnet second. The container may be a center console, glove box, ash tray, trunk, sun roof shade, cover. Spears, clips, prongs other suitable fasteners may be formed on one side of the overmold to allow insertion and attachment to a corresponding hole on the lid.