Vacuum Mount Connection for Impact-Resistant Quick Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting devices for attaching electronic devices, such as cameras or mobile phones, to helmets or vehicles lack ease of use and reliability under impact loads, as they often require precise operation to secure and release the attachment, and may not effectively absorb impulse forces without loosening.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device featuring a closure module with a housing assembly, an adjustable tilting adjusting element, and a vacuum element that creates a negative pressure effect for secure attachment, allowing easy closure and intuitive release through various tilting movements, and optionally enhanced with magnetic elements for additional holding force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a vacuum element is used to secure attachment, then holding force is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidease of release
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the vacuum sealing function from the entire connecting device by introducing a detachable sealing element that can be independently removed. This allows the vacuum effect to be maintained during attachment while enabling easy release by simply detaching the sealing element, resolving the contradiction between strong holding force and ease of release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic operation by allowing the sealing element to transition between attached and detached states. The sealing element can be dynamically removed to release the vacuum effect for easy detachment, then reattached to restore the vacuum holding force, enabling flexible control between strong attachment and easy release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If magnetic elements are added for additional holding force, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vacuum holding mechanism with magnetic elements in a integrated connecting device. The magnetic elements work synergistically with the vacuum effect to provide enhanced holding force, while the overall structure remains unified and manageable, balancing improved strength with acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the adjusting element requires precise operation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidease of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-alignment functionality where the sealing element automatically positions itself relative to the connecting device during attachment. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for precise manual alignment operations while maintaining manufacturing precision, resolving the contradiction between precision and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device provides a secure and resilient attachment under impact loads, allowing easy operation to attach and detach electronic devices without requiring precise movements, while effectively absorbing and dissipating impulse forces.

Implementation Method 1

the vacuum element and the attachment assembly are held together by a vacuum effect between the vacuum element and the attachment assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum effect: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The closure module has a first magnetic element and the attachment assembly a second magnetic element, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are magnetically attracted to each other in the connected position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3943762B1Connection device for releasably connecting two parts
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 FIDLOCK GMBH
  • EP3943762B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3943762B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3943762B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

A connecting device (1) for detachably connecting two assemblies (4, 5) comprises a closure module (2) assigned to a first of the assemblies (4, 5) and comprising a housing assembly, an adjusting element (22) adjustable on the housing assembly and a vacuum element (27), and an attachment assembly (3) assigned to a second of the assemblies (4, 5), wherein the vacuum element (27) can be connected to the attachment assembly (3) along an attachment direction (A) and interacts with the attachment assembly (3) in a connected position such that, when the closure module (2) and the attachment assembly (3) are subjected to load relative to each other, the vacuum element (27) and the attachment assembly (3) are held together by a vacuum effect between the vacuum element (27) and the attachment assembly (3).The adjusting element (22) can be tilted in different spatial directions relative to the housing assembly to release the vacuum element (27) from the mounting assembly (3) in order to open a flow opening (201) in the housing assembly for an inflow of air into a space (B) located between the vacuum element (27) and the mounting assembly (3).