Switchable Magnet With Movable Slide And Pole Pieces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnets with movable parts require continuous electrical energy or complex structures to maintain their magnetic state, leading to high power consumption or structural complications.

Innovation Solution

A magnet design featuring a movable slide with permanent magnets and pole pieces, where the magnetic flux is directed differently between two stable positions, allowing the slide to remain in place without electrical energy consumption, using a simple structure and magnetic forces to maintain equilibrium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electric current is constantly supplied to the coil to maintain the movable part in the second position, then the movable part stays in position, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of movable part positionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable part uses its own permanent magnet's magnetic field to generate the restoring force that returns it to the second position, eliminating the need for external energy supply. The system serves itself by utilizing the inherent magnetic properties of the permanent magnet rather than requiring continuous external power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electrical system (coil requiring continuous current) with a magnetic system using permanent magnets. The magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet in the movable part interacts with the body's magnetic structure to provide the restoring force, substituting electrical actuation with magnetic attraction.

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

2Use of energy by moving object

If springs or other means are provided to push the movable part towards the second position, then the movable part stays in position without power consumption, but the structure becomes complicated and more prone to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The permanent magnet in the movable part generates its own magnetic field to create the restoring force, making the system self-sufficient. No external springs or mechanical means are needed because the magnetic interaction between the permanent magnet and the body's magnetic structure automatically provides the necessary force to return the movable part to its neutral position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical spring systems with a magnetic field-based system. The interaction between the permanent magnet's field and the body's magnetic structure creates a force field that performs the function of mechanical springs, eliminating moving mechanical components and reducing structural complexity.

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

3Ease of operation

If a coil is used to move the movable part between positions, then the magnetic state can be changed, but continuous power is required to maintain the state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic state switchingVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous power supply, the patent uses periodic or pulsed action through permanent magnets. The movable part is actuated by magnetic forces generated only when needed to change state, then maintains its position passively through the permanent magnet's inherent field, requiring energy only during state transitions rather than continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic coil system with a permanent magnet system. The coil's function of generating magnetic force to move the movable part is achieved instead by the permanent magnet's inherent magnetic field, eliminating the need for continuous electrical energy while maintaining the ability to switch magnetic states.

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

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 magnet achieves stable magnetic states without electrical energy consumption, allows easy state changes with minimal energy, and provides a robust, reliable, and expandable design with a large holding force in a small size.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet may be directed through the body to an object to be attached

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The movable part is moved between the two positions by supplying a sufficient amount of electric current through the coil in a suitable direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3100288B1Switchable magnet
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 IXTUR
  • EP3100288B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3100288B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a magnet (100), which comprises a body (102) and a first slide (101) arranged to be movable relative to the body (102) between a first and a second position. The first slide (101) comprises a first permanent magnet (106), and a first and a second pole piece (107, 108) attached to opposite magnetic pole sur- faces of the first permanent magnet (106). The body (102) comprises a first and a second plate (103, 104), which are arranged in parallel and at a first distance from each other. The second plate (104) comprises a first through hole (109), in which the first slide (101) is movably arranged so that the first pole piece (107) is directed towards the first plate (103), wherein at the first position of the first slide (101), the first pole piece (107) is located outside the first through hole (109) and at least part of the second pole piece (108) is located inside the first through hole (109), and at the second position of the first slide (101), the first permanent magnet (106) and at least part of the first and the second pole piece (107, 108) are located inside the first through hole (109).