EP2166894A2

EP2166894A2 - Magnetic closure with an opening-assisting spring

Info

Publication number: EP2166894A2
Application number: EP08784344A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joachim Fiedler
Original assignee: Fidlock GmbH
Current assignee: Fidlock GmbH
Priority date: 2007-07-12
Filing date: 2008-07-12
Publication date: 2010-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-12
Also published as: EP2166894B1; US8851534B2; CN101842030A; ATE536113T1; WO2009006888A3; CN101842030B; WO2009006888A2; US20110167595A1

Abstract

A magnetic closure comprises a magnet-armature structure having a magnet and an armature, the magnet and the armature being constituted such that, for an automatic closing, the armature and the magnet mutually attract each other in a closing direction below a predetermined minimum distance, and, for an opening, the magnet is laterally shifted or rotated with respect to the armature into an open position so that the surfaces of magnet and armature facing each other in a mutually attracting manner become smaller, whereby the force of attraction between magnet and armature comes smaller, Further, an opening-assisting spring is provided for assisting the opening, wherein the opening-assisting spring either is automatically pretensioned by the magnetic force during the automatic closing, or is pretensioned during the opening operation.

Description

Magnetic closure with opening support spring

The invention relates to a magnetic closure that connects flexible or solid elements together, such. B. a closure on a handbag.

Magnetic closures are known from the prior art, which attract each other when closing, but are rotated or displaced against each other for opening. These closures have the advantage that they can be opened softer than if the closure had to be pulled apart in the same direction in which it contracts when closing. Such a magnetic closure is described in the document DE 196 42 071 A1. In this construction, the armature is completely pushed off the magnet during the opening movement, so that closures of this type can be opened almost force-free.

Often, however, such closures do not have an optimal feel, wherein the feel is understood to mean the quality of how a closure feels when it is opened but also when it closes when it is operated by hand. The reason for this defective feel is the fact that when the closure halves are completely separated, a remainder of the magnetic force usually has to be overcome, so that a jerky feel arises since, in contrast to the construction of DE 19642 071 A1, there is not always sufficient displacement. move available to laterally move the armature and magnet until the magnetic force acting between armature and magnet is almost zero. Therefore, the last opening movement must be opposite to the closing movement. To remedy this deficiency, magnetic closures are known from the prior art, which operate on the principle of verpolbaren magnetic systems. With the rotation or displacement of the magnet systems against each other, ie in the implementation of the opening movement, the magnet systems are brought into a repulsive opposing position. This comfortably supports the opening of the closure and significantly improves the feel. However, these closures are expensive to produce, since a variety of magnets is needed or consuming multi-pole magnetizations of the magnets.

An improvement in the feel when closing a magnetic closure is described in the document DE3631092. Here, a spring is provided, which is arranged between armature and magnet and generates a force opposing the magnetic field after closure in order to reduce the impact sound when closing. Despite the advantage achieved when closing, this closure does not have a good feel when opening, because it has to be separated with a strong jerk. The reason for this is that the magnet is separated opposite to the closing direction and so has the typical jerky force curve of a magnet with maximum attraction in the closed position and strong non-linearly decreasing attraction with increasing distance of armature and magnet.

The object of the invention is to provide a magnetic closure, which has a good feel, which can be built compact and is inexpensive to produce.

The object is achieved with a magnetic closure according to claim 1, which has a magnet-armature construction with the following features: A magnet and an armature are designed so that for automatically closing the magnetic closure, the armature and the magnet attract each other, which of course lied presupposes a predetermined minimum distance. This tightening takes place in a closing direction - which is not the opposite opening direction, because to open the magnet is laterally displaced or rotated relative to the armature. When closing a magnetic surface of an anchor face is attracting. The magnet, the armature and in particular the attracting surfaces are dimensioned so that the desired suit and the desired locking force can be achieved. When the shutter is closed, an armature surface and a magnetic surface touch or are closely spaced.

When the armature is laterally depressed to open the armature, the area with which the armature faces the magnet decreases, which also reduces the magnet-armature attraction. This displacement or twisting is carried out up to the opening position, in which the opposing surfaces of magnet and armature have the smallest size.

Since the feature combination described above is known from the prior art, a more detailed description can be dispensed with. It is also clear to the person skilled in the art that an armature can also be a second magnet.

According to the invention, an opening assist spring is provided to assist the opening operation. The opening support spring is stretched at the time of opening and acts against the remaining magnetic force, so that depending on the size of this spring force a jerky opening of the closure can be reduced or avoided altogether. The tensioning of the opening assist spring may be at different times. It is possible to tension the opening support spring already during closing or only when opening the closure.

If the clamping of the opening support spring when closing done, the construction is designed so that the opening support spring is tensioned by the force acting between the magnet and armature during the closing magnetic force. If, then, during opening, that is to say during lateral displacement or when turning from magnet to armature, the magnetic locking force becomes ever smaller, an additional weakening of this locking force occurs due to the oppositely acting spring force. If in the opening position of the closure, the remaining magnetic locking force is just as large as the spring force, both forces cancel each other, so that the closure can be separated without force.

If the tensioning of the opening assist spring is to take place only upon opening, the structure is designed such that the opening assist spring is pretensioned upon opening, i. H. During lateral displacement or when turning from magnet to armature, the opening assistance spring is prestressed by the force to be applied for this purpose.

According to claim 2, the acting spring force of the opening assist spring in the open position is greater than the remaining magnetic attraction force between the shutter halves. This will cause the closure halves to separate by themselves, providing approximately the same feel as known from polarity reversible magnetic closures in which the closure halves are actively forced apart by magnetic repulsion force.

According to claim 3, first, the opening assist spring is biased before the displacement or rotation between magnet to anchor begins. If then the displacement or the rotation between magnet has used to anchor, the force acting against the magnetic force spring force also causes an improvement in the opening haptics.

According to claim 4, the opening support spring is executed in the form of at least two adjacent detent springs with rising beveled detents or as an open detent spring ring with a least 2-threaded with tapered threads.

The detent springs or detent spring ring snap when closing by the magnetic force and secure the closure so in addition form-fitting and also serve during the opening as Öffnungsunterstützungsfedem. This is caused by the interaction with also beveled threads or linearly rising tapered locking lugs on the movable connecting module by the biased spring detents push the locking lugs out of positive engagement and bias by the shift in the direction of the slope of the locking lugs.

The magnetic force, the minimum overlap surface, the bevels on the detent springs and the spring tension are adjusted so that the deflected by the slopes of the detents bias of the detent spring is stronger than the remaining magnetic force in the open position with minimal overlap area, so that the shutter in the open position the acting as opening springs, biased at opening detent springs or by the biased when closing detent spring ring opens.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the technical teaching according to claim 1 can be implemented very widely in concrete embodiments of magnetic closures without requiring an inventive performance. Thus, the magnetic closure according to the invention can be used according to claim 1 as a magnetic module for closures, the z. Example, in the document WO 002008006357 or DE 10 2007 033 277 are described, in which magnetic fasteners have an additional mechanical lock. When opening the shutter by lateral displacement of armature and magnet this lock is released. The number and size of the magnets used can be reduced in the application of the technical teaching of claim 1 and thus costs can be saved.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

List of reference numbers used:

1 first connection module

2 second connection module 3 anchors

4 magnet 5, 5a, 5b spring

6 ejector pin 6a screw surface of the ejector pin

6b Sloping to spring

7 ejector

8 guide aids on the first connection module

9 guide aids on the second connection module 10 rocker arm

11 force deflecting bevel or helical surface

12 eccentrics

13 axis

Fig. 1a shows an exploded view of a rotary closure.

Fig. 1b shows a sectional view of a rotary closure during the closing process. Fig. 1c shows a sectional and perspective view with hidden

Elements of a rotary closure in the closed position. Fig. 1d shows a sectional and perspective view with hidden elements of a rotary closure during the opening operation after rotation.

Fig. 1e shows a sectional view of a rotary closure during the opening process after rotation. Fig. 1f shows a sectional view of a rotary closure during the opening process after rotation and during the ejection by the ejection mechanism.

Fig. 2a shows an exploded view of a buckle with Kippanker. Fig. 2b, 2c, 2d show the plug buckle in side view during the closing process. Fig. 2e, 2f show the plug buckle in side view during the opening process. FIG. 3a shows a linearly displaceable closure in a sectional view in FIG

Closed position. Fig. 3b shows a linearly displaceable closure in sectional view after the shift. Fig. 3c shows a linearly displaceable closure in sectional view

Opening.

Fig. 11b shows a sectional and perspective view with hidden elements of a rotary closure in the closed position. Fig. 11c shows a sectional and perspective view with hidden elements of a rotary closure after rotation. Fig. 11d shows a sectional view with hidden elements of a rotary closure during the opening operation after opening. 11e shows a sectional view of a rotary closure during the opening process after the rotation has taken place.

Fig. 12a shows an exploded view of a buckle with a

Tilting armature.

Fig. 12b shows a plug buckle in a sectional view in the closed position. Fig. 12c shows a plug-in buckle in sectional view when opening.

Fig. 13a shows a linearly displaceable closure in sectional view in the

Closed position.

Fig. 13b shows a linearly displaceable closure in sectional view after the displacement.

Fig. 13c shows a linearly displaceable closure in sectional view

Opening.

Fig. 13d shows a linearly displaceable closure in an exploded view.

Fig. 14 show an embodiment as a pocket closure.

Fig. 14a shows an exploded view.

Fig. 14b shows the position of sections AA and BB. Fig. 14c shows the sectional view AA of the closure in the rest position. Fig. 14d shows the sectional view BB of the closure in the actuated position shortly before opening.

FIGS. 16-17 show a linearly displaceable embodiment of a magnetic closure.

Fig. 16a shows in side and sectional view A-A the magnetic closure Fig. 16a 'in the closed position of Fig. 17b.

Fig. 16b shows in side and sectional view A-A the magnetic closure shortly Fig. 16b 'before the open position.

Fig. 17a shows a perspective view of both modules. 17b shows a perspective view of both modules in the closed position.

Fig. 1a shows an embodiment of the connection modules 1 and 2. connection module 1 and 2 are rotatably guided by the guide means 8 and 9 against each other. In the connection module 1, the armature 3 and the ejection mechanism 7 are fixed by a leaf spring 5 and an ejector pin 6. In the connection module 2, the magnet 4 is attached. As can be seen in FIG. 1b, the ejector pin protrudes beyond the armature in the relaxed state of the spring 5. The spring is dimensioned so that it is stretched when the armature and magnet come together, as seen in FIG. 1c. Fig. 1d and 1e show that with a suitable geometry after twisting of armature and magnet, the overlap area of armature and magnet has become smaller and thus the magneti- see attraction has reached the state of minimal attraction. The spring is further dimensioned so that, as shown in Fig. 1f, it overcomes the residual attraction of magnet and armature and separates the magnetic closure.

The popping of the magnetic closure has thus been achieved by a rotation of the connection modules, which was perceived by the person who operates the closure as pleasant to the touch. The plug buckle of Fig. 2 a - f is another embodiment of the closure according to the invention. Here, the connecting module 2 designed as a plug is guided in the housing guide 9 of the connection module 1. In the connection module 1, the rocker arm 10 is mounted tiltable with anchor 3. The ejection mechanism, that is, the opening assisting spring is here formed by the spring sections 5a, 5b and supported by a slight deformability of the housing. FIGS. 2b-2d show how, after the plug has been plugged into the housing, the plug is pulled into the housing by the magnetic force and the spring sections 5a, 5b are tensioned by the magnetic force, ie bent straight. If the rocker arm 10 with the armature, as shown in Fig. 2e, 2f tilted displaced from the magnet, the magnetic attraction is so far attenuated that the prestressed spring force of the spring portions 5a, 5b is stronger than the remaining magnetic attraction between armature and Magnet so that the plug is ejected.

Fig. 3a shows an embodiment of a linearly displaceable magnetic closure.

The connection modules 1 and 2 are guided by the guides 8a, 9a and 8b, 9b in a linear direction of movement. The eject mechanism is constituted by the opening assist spring 5, which is cocked in the shown closed state.

Fig. 3b shows the closure after a successful displacement of armature and magnet against each other. FIG. 3c shows how, after displacement in the position of minimum magnetic attraction, the spring force of the ejection mechanism is greater than the force of attraction, so that the connection modules 1 and 2 pop open.

The above description relates to an embodiment in which the biasing of the opening assist spring is performed during closing operation. Hereinafter, the operation of the invention will be described with reference to Figures 11-13, when the biasing of the opening support spring during the displacement or rotation between the magnet and armature, ie during the opening movement.

In detail, Fig. 11b shows the structure of the magnetic closure from the connection modules 1 and 2. Connection module 1 and 2 are rotatably guided by the guide means 8 and 9 from a predetermined distance against each other. In connection module 1, the armature 3 and the ejection mechanism 7, consisting of leaf spring 5 and ejector pin 6 are fixed. In the connection module 2, the magnet 4 is attached. As can be seen in FIG. 11b, the ejector pin 6 does not protrude beyond the armature in the relaxed state of the spring 5. The ejector pin 6 is provided on the underside with a screw 6a. FIG. 11c shows how, after rotation of connection module 1 and connection module 2, screwing surfaces 6a and 11 have pressed the placement pin against the spring until it is tensioned and the ejection mechanism from the spring 5 and the ejector pin 6 generates a force acting against the magnetic attraction force.

Figures 11c and 11e also show that, with proper geometry of armature and magnet after twisting, the overlap area of armature and magnet has become smaller and thus the magnetic attraction has reached the state of minimum attraction. The spring is further dimensioned so that, as shown in Fig. 11d, it overcomes the residual attraction of magnet and armature and pushes the closure against the magnetic force, which is perceived as pleasant to the touch.

The buckle according to FIGS. 12a-c is a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention. Here, the connection module 2 is designed as a plug with the guide surfaces 9 and guided in the housing guide 8 in the connection module 1. In the connection module 1, the rocker arm 10 is tiltably mounted with the armature 3 on the axis 13. The ejection mechanism is formed here by the opening support springs 5a, b, which rest unrestrained on the axis 13 in the closed position.

Fig. 12c shows how, after tilting of the rocker arm 10, the spring portions 5a, 5b are tensioned by the eccentric 12. As a result, the plug is ejected in the arrow direction because the force of the ejection mechanism 7 is stronger than the residual magnetic attraction. If the rocker arm 10 with the armature, as shown in Fig. 12e, 12f tilted off the magnet, the magnetic attraction is so far weakened that the prestressed spring force is stronger than the remaining magnetic attraction between armature and magnet, and Plug 2 is ejected.

Fig. 13a shows an embodiment of a linearly displaceable magnetic closure.

Connection module 1 and 2 are guided by the guides 8a, 9a and 8b, 9b in a linear direction of movement in the arrow direction. The ejection mechanism of the spring 5 is relaxed in the closed state shown.

Fig. 13b shows how after the displacement of the connecting modules 1, 2, the armature and the magnet are brought into the position of minimum attraction and the spring 5 of the ejection mechanism was biased by means of the obliquely to the direction of displacement attack surface 6b of the spring 5 during the displacement. FIG. 13c shows how, after being shifted to the position of minimal magnetic attraction, the spring force of the ejection mechanism is greater than the force of attraction and the closure pops up.

14 a-d show a further special embodiment as a pocket closure according to claim 4. Here, the opening spring is designed as a threaded locking latch spring, which is explained below:

Fig. 14a shows an exploded view of all items: - In the upper collar 1 d, the rotary member 1 a is mounted. The sleeve ring 1c is used for fixing z. B. in the fabric layer of a pocket cover.

- The rotary lever 1a is inserted on the rotary member 1b.

In the rotary part 1b, the rectangular armature 3 is arranged, as well as the inclined threads 11a, 11b.

- These threads 11a, b are engaged in the closed position in engagement behind the threads 10a, b of the opening spring acting as a detent ring fifth

- In the foot part 2 c of the magnet 4 is arranged, which is in the rest position relative to armature 3. The foot part is fastened in the lower cuff 2a. The lower collar ring 2b is used for fixing z. B. in the fabric layer of a bag body.

Fig. 14b shows the position of sections A-A and B-B. FIG. 14c shows the sectional view A-A of the closure in the rest position, in which magnet 4 and armature 3 face each other with maximum overlapping area. When closing the magnetic attraction between armature 3 and magnet 4 had the locking ring 5 spread by means of the tapered threads 10a, b and 11a, b, until finally the threads 11a, b of the rotary member are locked behind the threads 10a, b of the locking ring and have reached a positive connection of connection module A and connection module B.

Fig. 14d shows the sectional view BB of the closure in the actuated position just before the opening. Here, the rotary member 1 b was turned over the turning handle 1 a so far that the armature 3 only minimally overlaps the magnet 4 and thus the magnetic attraction was significantly weakened. In addition, the rotation has caused the tapered threads 11a, b of the rotating member 1b to have the tapered threads 10a, b of the locking ring 5 forced apart during the rotation in the arrow direction. As can be seen, arises now by the interaction of the tapered threads 10a, b, and 11a, b with the bias of the locking ring acting against the magnets ejection force. In the open position magnetic force and spring force are predetermined so that this Ejection force is greater than the remaining magnetic force between armature and magnet and thus opens the shutter.

17a, b and 16a, b show a linearly displaceable embodiment of the magnetic closure with an opening spring according to claim 4, in which the first connection module 1 and the second connection module 2 are linearly displaced relative to one another.

Fig. 17a shows a perspective view of both modules. In connection module 1, the magnet 4 is attached. In addition, in the connection module 1, the tapered spring catches 10a, 10b, 10c, 10a ', 10b', 10c 'are provided. In connection module 2, the armature 3, and the tapered locking lugs 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 a ', 11 b', 11 c '. The bevelled spring catches 10a, 10b, 10c, 10a ', 10b', 10c ', as well as the tapered locking lugs 11a, 11b, 11c, 11a', 11b ', 11c' are arranged rising.

Fig. 17b shows a perspective view of the connection modules in the closed position. Here, the magnetic attraction of magnet and armature, which face each other in maximum overlap area, the beveled Federra- stungen 10a, 10b, 10c, 10a ', 10b', 10c 'behind the tapered locking lugs 11a, 11b, 11c, 11a', 11b ', 11 c' engaged.

Fig. 16a shows in side and sectional view A-A the magnetic closure in the closed position of Fig. 17b.

Fig. 16b shows in side and sectional view A-A the magnetic closure shortly before the open position after the linear displacement.

Here, the connection modules 1 and 2 have been shifted so far against each other in the direction of the pitch of the locking lugs, that the tapered, rising detents 11b, 11c, 11b ', 11c' the tapered spring catches 10a, 10b, 10a ', 10b' with their slopes have gradually pressed during the displacement in a cocked position. As can be seen, arises now by the interaction of the tapered spring catches 10a, 10b, 10a ', 10b' and the tapered locking lugs 11b, 11c, 11b ', 11c' with the bias of the spring catches 10a, 10b, 10a ', 10b' acting against the magnets ejection force. In the open position magnetic force and spring force are coordinated so that this ejection force is greater than the remaining magnetic force between the armature and magnet and thus opens the shutter.

For a better overview, the sectional drawings of Fig. 16a, the closed position and 16b, the open position, on a separate sheet once again compared as Fig. 16a 'and 16b' faced.

It should be pointed out that the spring catch 11b is pressed by latching lug 11c and 10a by 11b, d. h., The closure according to the invention always requires a plurality of spring detents, which are each pressed by the adjacent locking lug, and would not work with a single spring detent. This shows the advantage of the embodiment as a thread with at least 2 courses: there is no free end, that is, all spring detents are used both as a form-closing elements and as opening support springs, while always remain free ends in the linear design.

Claims

claims

A magnetic fastener having a magnet-armature construction, comprising:

- a magnet (4) and

- An anchor (3) which are formed so

- That for automatic closing of the armature (3) and the magnet (4) below a predetermined minimum distance in a closing direction attract each other and

- To open the magnet (4) relative to the armature (3) laterally displaced or rotated in an open position, so that the attracting opposing surfaces of the magnet and armature are smaller, whereby the attraction force between magnet and armature is lower, characterized marked that

- An opening support spring (5) is provided to support the opening, wherein the opening support spring (5) is either - automatically biased when self-closing by the magnetic force, or

- Is biased during the opening process.

2. A magnetic fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnet closure is formed so that the acting spring force of the opening assist spring is greater than the magnetic attraction force in the open position.

3. Magnetic lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic closure is designed so that first the opening support spring (5) is biased before the displacement or rotation between the magnet (4) to anchor (3) begins.

4. Magnetic closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening support spring as at least two adjacent detent springs (5a, 5b) with rising beveled detents (10a, b) or as an open detent spring ring (5) with an at least 2gängigen thread with bevelled Threads are executed, which during the opening by means of beveled threads (11a, b) or by means of the linearly rising tapered locking lugs (11a, b) on the movable connecting module by the displacement by an interaction of the tapered spring catches (10a, b) and locking lugs (11a , b) are pressed and biased out of shape fit,

- Wherein the magnetic force, the minimum overlap surface, the bevels on the detent springs (5a, b) and the spring tension are tuned so that by the bevels of the detents (10a, b, 11a, b) deflected bias of the detent spring (5) stronger is the remaining magnetic force in open position with minimum overlap area and

- Wherein the pressing and biasing of the detent springs (5a, b) is not performed by the locking lugs or threads opposite in the closed position, but by the adjacent latching lugs (10a, b) or threads (11a, b).