Picture Frame Magnetic Assembly for Quick Picture Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing picture frames often require complex assembly and risk arrangement errors when exchanging pictures, making the process slow and prone to mistakes.

Innovation Solution

A picture frame design utilizing magnetic forces to securely attach the back wall and passe-partout to the profile frame, allowing for quick and simple picture exchange, with magnets embedded in the passe-partout and back wall, and optional glass pane attachment via pins or pressure springs, enabling easy alignment and secure fixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If magnets are used to fix the back wall and passe-partout in the profile frame, then the picture exchange process is simplified and accelerated, but the risk of arrangement errors and slipping during insertion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepicture exchange speedVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, clips, adhesives) with a magnetic field-based retention system. Magnets embedded in the profile frame create magnetic attraction forces that hold the passe-partout and back wall in place, allowing for tool-free, rapid picture exchange while maintaining secure attachment during normal use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the magnetic components by using strongly magnetized, thin magnet plates with specific magnetic field strengths. This allows the magnets to provide sufficient holding force for secure attachment while being thin enough to not interfere with the picture exchange process or create protrusions that could cause alignment errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the passe-partout and glass pane are firmly connected to the profile frame, then the risk of slipping during picture insertion is reduced, but the complexity of assembling and disassembling the frame increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepicture insertion stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical connection systems (multiple screws, clips, or interlocking mechanisms) with a magnetic field-based retention system. The magnetic attraction between the magnets in the profile frame and the ferromagnetic materials in the passe-partout and back wall provides firm connection during normal use, while allowing for simple manual removal when picture exchange is needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic connection system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it firmly holds the passe-partout and glass pane in place during normal display, provides sufficient attraction to prevent slipping during picture insertion, and allows for easy manual disengagement when picture exchange is required. This single magnetic system replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanical fastening mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Significantly simplifies and accelerates the process of exchanging pictures by reducing the risk of slipping and ensuring correct re-insertion, with the magnets providing strong attraction and the frame's design preventing lateral displacement of the back wall.

Implementation Method 1

The picture frame uses magnetic forces of attraction, at least one magnetic pairing that fixes the back wall with the pictures or photos against the passe-partout and, if present, also the glass pane in the profile frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic forces of attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3172992B1Picture frame with passe-partout and magnets
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 ART & DAY
  • EP3172992B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The subject matter of the invention is a picture frame for quickly exchanging pictures and photos, comprising a profile frame, a back wall, a passe-partout, and optionally a glass pane, with magnets detachably connecting the back wall and passe-partout.