EP2252176A2 - Locking magnet closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure for closing preferably handbags, furniture, doors, and comparable objects, made of a first closure module and a second closure module having the following characteristics: a magnetic keeper design pulling the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 together in the direction of closure, closure module 1 and closure module 2 being rotatable or displaceable for opening in opening direction Y lateral to closing direction X, a locking device having at least one spring locking element made of an engaging protrusion and a spring, wherein the locking piece  pushes to the spring locking element the side in a direction Z when closing and then engages with the engaging protrusion, and wherein, the locking piece and the spring locking element are pushed against each other from an engagement position to a non-engagement position when displacing the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 in the opening direction Y, wherein the spring of the spring locking element is designed and disposed so that it comprises a double function, namely that the spring deflects by bending lightly in the direction Z when closing, but the spring is rigid in bending under load on the closure opposite the closing direction X.

Description

 Rest magnetic closure

The invention relates to a closure for closing preferably handbags, furniture, doors and similar everyday objects. From the state of the art, the most varied closure constructions are known for these applications. These closures are operated by hand and have a resilient locking catch, whereby the closure halves are brought together by means of a manually applied force. The force of a spring must be overcome until the engagement elements snap together. The spring holds the engagement elements in an undercut form-fitting together.

An essential feature of closures that are operated by hand is the so-called haptic. A good feel is to be understood below as the property of the closure that the closure, based on its application, can be operated particularly easily.

Closures which have a particularly good feel are described in document WO 2008/006357.

These closures are according to previously known constructions are still relatively large or heavy and require a relatively large magnet. It is therefore a continuing need to improve these closures and to provide designs that allow for a smaller overall volume and the use of smaller magnets, thereby also reducing costs. This object is achieved with a latching magnetic closure according to claims 1 and 2.

The article according to the invention according to claim 1 consists of a first closure module and a second closure module for connecting two elements, wherein each one of the closure modules is fastened to each element or form the closure modules with the elements an integrated unit.

The closure modules have the following features: a magnetic anchor construction with at least one magnet in closure module 1 and an armature or second magnet in closure module 2, wherein the magnetic anchor construction is designed so that when closing the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 are contracted selbstätig in the closing direction X by means of the magnetic force.

Furthermore, the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 is designed such that the closure modules for opening in the opening direction Y are laterally to the closing direction X rotatable or displaceable.

A locking device is provided for the positive locking of the closure modules, wherein the locking device has at least one spring locking element consisting of an engagement projection and a spring and wherein the spring locking element is arranged in the closure module 1. Furthermore, a locking piece is provided which is arranged in the closure module 2, wherein when closing the locking piece pushes the spring locking element in a direction Z aside and then positively locks with the engagement projection, and depending on the structural design when moving or twisting closure module 1 and closure module. 2 in the opening direction Y, the locking piece and the spring locking member are engaged or disengaged from an engaging position in which the locking piece and spring locking member are engaged, into which the locking piece and spring locking member are not engaged, without pushing the spring locking member aside. The magnetic anchor Construction is such that when closing the locking device is automatically closed by the magnetic force of the magnet-armature construction.

According to the invention, the spring of the spring locking element is designed and arranged such that it has a double function:

When closing the spring differs soft in the direction of Z but at a load of the closure against closing direction X, the spring is rigid.

It is known to the person skilled in the art that the cross-sectional geometry and also the shape of a spring influences its bending stiffness. The invention takes advantage of this effect and uses a spring or a spring system of several springs, which is designed and arranged so that upon closure of the closure, a load of the spring takes place in the direction in which the spring is flexible, d. H. The spring is shaped and mounted in such a way that the spring can be bent with little force when closing. However, when trying to open the shutter opposite to the closing direction, the spring is loaded in a direction in which it is rigid. As a result, a high locking force of the closure is ensured, which is usually so large that the closure opens only by the mechanical destruction of the spring.

Corresponding spring geometries are known to those skilled in the art, therefore, only a few essential geometries in connection with the respective structural installation situation are explained in the embodiments.

By using this dual function of the spring latching magnetic fasteners can be built particularly small and stable according to the preamble of claim 1.

According to claim 2, a latching magnetic closure is claimed, which is almost identical to the closure of claim 1. Only the opening of the closure takes place after another, also from the prior art principle, wherein the displacement or rotation of closure module 1 and Closure module 2 in the opening direction Y, the spring locking element from an engagement position in which the locking piece and the spring locking element are engaged, gradually by means of a wedge, that is pushed into a disengaged position in which the locking piece and the spring locking element are no longer engaged ,

According to claim 3, the spring of the spring locking element is an axially bent to the closing direction X resilient strip.

According to claim 4, the spring of the spring locking element is parallel to the closing direction X repeatedly kinked resilient strip.

According to claim 5, the spring is a meandering back and forth axially to the direction X bent or bent parallel to the direction X stripes.

According to claim 6, the spring on one or more resilient joints or resilient articulated thin bodies.

According to claim 7, the spring is designed as a separate component and held in the open position by means of one or more inner stops centered in the closure module 2.

According to claim 8, the spring is also designed as a separate component and centered in the open position by means of one or more outer stops held in the closure module 2.

According to claim 9, the magnet-armature construction has a weakenable magnet system.

According to claim 10, the magnet-armature construction on a verpolbares magnetic system.

According to claim 11, a reset device is provided, which is the shifted in opening Y of the latching magnetic closure in the direction of the functional elements pushed back to its original position. The restoring force may be a mechanical spring force or a weight force. The weight force is generated by means of a mass that is raised by the rotational movement when opening the shutter by hand. This can z. B. an eccentric can be used. When the mass piece is released, it is pulled down by the gravitational force, with the return device resetting, so that the engagement position is restored.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments and schematic drawings.

Figures 1a-g show a general embodiment of the invention with opening through a release gap.

Fig. 1a shows an exploded view of all parts of the invention.

A first connection module consists of: a rotary member 7, a magnet 22 and locking pieces 7a, 7c, which are formed as a peripheral edge. A second connection module consists of: a housing rim 8, a housing cap 10, an armature or magnet 21 and a spring locking element 9 of a curved strip-shaped spring 9z with the engagement projections 9a, 9b, which on the support surface 30 of the housing ring with the end face 29 rests.

Between the first connection module and the second connection module, a closable and releasable rotary-latching closure is effected in that the locking pieces 7a, 7c of the rotary member 7 form a latching closure with the bevelled engagement projections 9a and 9c projecting on the spring locking element 9.

The spring-locking element 9 is positioned by striking the spring ends 9c and 9g on the strut 10b of the housing cap 10 against rotation. In addition, the spring-locking element 9 by the inner stopper 10c centered in the lower part. The spring-locking element 9 rests with the upper end face 29 on the bottom surface 30 of the housing rim 8.

FIG. 1b and FIG. 1c show the closure according to the invention in the sectional views A-A and B-B.

FIG. 1b shows the closed position analogously to FIG. 1e. Here, the engagement projections 9a, 9b of the spring lock member 9 are engaged with the lock pieces 7a, 7c.

FIG. 1c shows the phase after rotation of the connection module 1 in the direction Y analogous to FIG. 1f. The connection module 1 has been twisted so far that the engagement projections 9a, 9b of the spring locking element 9 are opposite the gaps between the locking pieces 7b, 7d and thus are out of engagement with the locking pieces 7a, 7c.

Figures 1d-1g show the most important phases of operation during closing and opening:

Fig. 1d shows the closing. When closing, connection module 1 and connection module 2 are pulled together in the direction X by the magnetic anchor construction 21, 22. In this case, the engagement projections 9a, 9b of the spring locking element 9 are pushed aside by the locking pieces 7a, 7c in the direction Z. According to the invention, the strip-shaped spring 9z is particularly flexible in this direction, since the strip is inclined in the direction Z in its thickness, i. H. smallest dimension is the easiest to bend, so it is only the magnetic force of a relatively weak magnetic armature construction 21, 22 necessary to overcome the spring force of the spring 9z.

1e shows the closure in the closed position after latching of locking pieces 7a, 7c and engagement projections 9a, 9b.

Now acts a loading force against the closing direction X, press the locking pieces 7a, 7c on the engaging projections 9a, 9b. For heavy loads, now deflect the engagement projections in direction W and bend the spring 9z as indicated by the broken line. However, since the spring 9z is already bent in one direction and an inelastic surface can only be curved in one direction, it is now particularly resistant to bending in the direction of loading in the opposite direction to X. The closure is therefore very strong, so it can be built very small with good strength values. Furthermore, it can also be built inexpensively, since the magnets can be sized small.

As the next functional phase, the connecting module 1 is now rotated axially in the direction Y with the rotary knob 40, so that the functional phase according to FIG. 1f is reached, in which the connecting module 1 has been rotated so far that the engagement projections 9a, 9b of the spring locking element 9 are opposite the gaps between stand the locking pieces 7b, 7d and thus out of engagement with the locking pieces 7a, 7c. The closure can now be opened, as shown in FIG. 1g.

2 shows the spring locking element according to the invention from Fig1-g according to claims 1 and 2.

Here is again the double function to recognize: the axially bent to X direction strip spring 9z is bendable in the direction Z and when loading the engaging projections 9a, 9b against the direction X, whereby an evasive force W is generated, against the escape force W particularly rigid.

3 shows an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 3.

The strip spring 9z, which is bent several times parallel to the direction X, is flexurally flexible in the direction Z and, when the engagement projections 9a, 9b are loaded against the direction X, whereby an evasion force W is generated, the bending force W is particularly rigid. 5 shows an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 5.

The strip spring 9z, which curves back and forth in a meandering manner in the direction X, is flexurally flexible in the direction Z and, when the engagement projections 9a, 9b are loaded against the direction X, whereby an evasion force W is generated, against the escape force W. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the bends can also be kinks parallel to the direction X.

6 shows an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 6.

The spring locking element has a resilient hinge 50 with the hinge axis parallel to the direction X. The side regions 51, 52 are designed to be particularly stable. As a result, the spring locking element is flexible in the direction Z and under load of the engagement projections 9a, 9b, counter to the direction X, whereby an evasive force W is generated, against the escape force W particularly rigid.

7 shows an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 6.

The spring locking element has a plurality of resilient hinge-like thin spots 53a, 53b, 53c with the hinge axis parallel to the direction X. The side regions 51, 52 are designed to be particularly stable. As a result, the spring locking element is flexible in the direction Z and under load of the engagement projections 9a, 9b, counter to the direction X, whereby an evasive force W is generated, against the escape force W particularly rigid.

8a-g show a very closely related to the first embodiment of the invention embodiment according to claim 2.

Fig. 8a shows an exploded view of all parts of the invention. A first connection module consists of: a rotary member 7, a magnet 22 and locking pieces 7a, 7c, which are formed as a peripheral edge and wedge-shaped rising surfaces 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h.

A second connecting module consists of: a housing rim 8, a housing cap 10, an armature or magnet 21 and a spring-locking element 9 of a curved strip-shaped spring 9z with the engagement projections 9a, 9b, which rests on the support surface 30 of the housing ring with the end face 29 ,

Between the first connection module and the second connection module, a closable and releasable rotary-latching closure is effected in that the locking pieces 7a, 7c of the rotary member 7 with the projecting on the spring locking element 9 beveled engagement projections 9a and 9c form a latching closure.

The spring-locking element 9 is positioned by striking the spring ends 9c and 9g on the strut 10b of the housing cap 10 against rotation. In addition, the spring-locking element 9 is centered by the inner stop 10c positioned in the lower part. The spring-locking element 9 rests with the upper end face 29 on the bottom surface 30 of the housing rim 8.

FIGS. 8b-8e show the most important functional phases during closing and opening:

Fig. 8b shows the closing. When closing, connection module 1 and connection module 2 are pulled together in the direction X by the magnetic anchor construction 21, 22. In this case, the engagement projections 9a, 9b of the spring locking element 9 are pushed aside by the locking pieces 7a, 7c in the direction Z. According to the invention, the strip-shaped spring 9z is particularly flexible in this direction since the strip is easiest to bend in the direction Z in its thickness, ie in its smallest dimension, so that only a relatively weak magnet-armature construction 21, 22 is necessary. to overcome the spring force of the spring 9z. Figure 8c shows the closure during closing, where the engagement projections are pushed aside.

8d shows the closure in the closed position, where locking pieces 7a, 7c and engagement projections 9a, 9b are locked in a form-locking manner.

Now acts a loading force against the closing direction X, press the locking pieces 7a, 7c on the engaging projections 9a, 9b. At high load, the engagement projections now want to dodge in direction W and the spring 9z as indicated by the broken line, bend. Since, however, the spring 9z is already bent in one direction and an inelastic surface can only be bent in one direction, it is now particularly resistant to bending in the direction of loading in the opposite direction to X. The closure is thus very strong, so that it can be built very small with good strength values and it can also be built inexpensively, since the magnets can be sized small.

Next, the connection module 1 with the rotary knob 40 is now rotated axially in the direction Y, that the functional phase is reached according to Fig 8e, in which the connection module 1 was rotated so far that the engagement projections 9a, 9b of the spring locking element 9 by the wedge-shaped slopes 7h , 7e have been pushed back and are thus out of engagement with the locking pieces 7a, 7c. The lock can now be opened.

9a shows an exploded view of a sliding detent closure according to the invention according to claim 1.

A first connection module consists of: a plug 7, a magnet 22 and a locking piece 7a, which is formed as a peripheral edge.

A second connection module consists of:

the housing 10 with the closing opening 70 for closing the connecting modules in the direction X and the opening 71 for pushing out the plug 7 in the direction Y, the spring locking element 9 consisting of a strip spring 9z bent axially in the direction X, the circumferential engagement projection 9a and the end surfaces 9g and 9e, with which the spring is supported on the projection 10b, the housing bottom 10z with projection 10b and

Anchor or second magnet 21.

9b shows a perspective view of the opened closure. The closing proceeds as follows: the magnet-armature construction 21, 22 pulls the plug 7 through the closing opening 70 in the housing 10. In this case, the locking piece 7a urges the spring locking element 9 by the magnetic force aside. It is spread when snapping in the direction of Z or Z '.

The spring 9z fulfills the dual function according to the invention, analogously to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1a-g and FIG.

Since the spring is further bent in the direction of Z in the same direction of its bending when spreading, it is bendable when snapping, d. that is, the magnet-armature system may be relatively weak to meet the requirement to contract the closure automatically. However, the spring 9z is very rigid in the case of a load of the closure against the direction X, as shown in FIG. 2, and as a result the closure is locked in a form-locking manner in a very reliable manner.

For opening, the plug is now, as shown in FIG. 9c, linearly displaced in the direction Y through the opening 71, without the spring being pushed aside. The lock opens so very comfortable.

FIG. 9d shows a sectional view with the closure after opening, with the plug 7 and housing 10 displaced in the direction Y.

An advantageous development is given when the space between the recesses 9x, 9y of the spring 9z for the lateral pushing out of the locking piece 7a is not as wide as the locking piece, but slightly smaller, so that the closure with a predetermined force against a slight spread of the spring must be opened. Then the lock keeps special for sure. This development is to a certain extent a hybrid solution between a closure according to the preamble of claim 1 and the preamble of claim 2.

MAGNETIC SYSTEMS

A further development according to the invention according to claim 7 is when the executed as a separate component spring locking element 9 is kept centered with the inner stop 10c when the shutter is open. Then secure locking is supported. All embodiments of FIGS. 1a-g, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9a-e, 10a-g have this inner stop. The meander spring according to FIG. 5 can be guided both by an inner stop and an outer stop. The person skilled in the art also knows other means of how a ring spring can be moved but centered, such as e.g. the fixation with e.g. three elastic pins see.

FIGS. 10a-g show, analogously to the views and movement phases of FIGS. 1a-g, a closure according to the invention according to claim 1 and claim 9. The only difference from the embodiment according to FIGS. 1a-g is that the magnet system consists of two bar-shaped magnets 21, 22 a rotation in the direction of Y has less overlapping surface (compare Fig. 10b AA and Fig. 10c AA) and thereby the attraction of the magnet is reduced when opening, which allows a particularly simple opening.

11a-g show, analogously to the views and movement phases of FIGS. 1a-g, a closure according to the invention according to claim 1 and claim 10. The only difference from the embodiment according to FIGS. 1a-g is that the magnet-armature system comprises four magnets 21a , 21b, 22a, 22b. These are in the closed position according to Fig 11e attractively opposite and stand after the rotation in the direction Y repulsive against (compare Fig 11b AA and Fig 11c AA) and thus the attraction of the magnet is reduced when opening, which allows a particularly simple opening, there the shutter pops open when opening. The further developments according to FIGS. 10a-g and 11a-g with weakenable or polarized magnet systems also have the advantage that the magnets are reset by their efforts to align themselves with one another in an attractive position.

The provision is made according to claim 11 via a weight, for example on the knob 40. Alternatively, the provision is made via a spring when the rotary member 7 is movably mounted in a further component.

Claims

claims 1. latching magnetic closure, consisting of a first closure module and a second closure module with the following features: a magnet-armature construction having at least one magnet 21 in closure module 1 and an armature or second magnet 22 in closure module 2, the magnet-armature construction contracting closure module 1 and closure module 2 in closing direction x when closing, Closure module 1 and closure module 2 are rotatable or displaceable laterally to the closing direction y in the opening direction y, - A locking device for interlocking locking the locking modules between closing module 1 and closure module 2 with - At least one spring locking element (9) consisting of an engagement projection (9 a) and a spring (9 z), wherein the spring locking element is arranged in the closure module 1 and - A locking piece (7 a) which is arranged in the closure module 2, wherein - When closing the locking piece (7 a) the spring locking element (9) in a direction z pushes aside and then positively with the engagement projection (9 a) engages, and wherein - When moving or twisting of closure module 1 and closure module 2 in the opening direction y the locking piece (7 a) and the spring locking element (9) from an engagement position in the locking piece and spring locking element are engaged, rotated in a disengaged position against each other or moved, in the locking piece and spring locking element not in Are engaged, without the spring locking element is pushed aside, - Wherein the magnet-armature construction is dimensioned so that when closing the locking device is automatically closed by the magnetic force of the magnet-armature construction, characterized in that - The spring (9z) of the spring locking element (9) is formed and arranged so that it has a dual function, namely - That when closing the spring deflects pliable soft in the direction z, - but at a load of the closure against closing direction x the spring is rigid. 2. latching magnetic closure, consisting of a first closure module and a second closure module having the following features: a magnetic anchor construction with at least one magnet (21) in closure module 1 and an armature or second magnet (22) in closure module 2, wherein the magnet-armature construction contracts the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 in the closing direction x when closing, - the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 are rotatable or displaceable relative to each other for opening in the opening direction y laterally to the closing direction x, a locking device for the positive locking of the closure modules between closure module 1 and closure module 2 with at least one spring locking element (9) consisting of an engagement projection (9a) and a spring (9z) arranged in the closure module 1, - A locking piece (7 a), which is arranged in the closure module 2 and a wedge (7e, 7f, 7g, 7h) connected to the closure module 2 and the locking piece, - When closing the locking piece (7 a) the spring locking element (9) in a direction z pushes aside and then positively locked into engagement, and wherein - When moving or twisting closure module 1 and closure module 2 in the opening direction y, the spring locking element of an engagement position in which the locking piece and the spring locking element are engaged, by means of the wedge (7e, 7f, 7g, 7h) gradually borrowed aside, ie in a disengaged position is pressed, in which the Locking piece and the spring locking element are no longer engaged, - Wherein the magnet-armature construction is dimensioned so that when closing the locking device is automatically closed by the magnetic force of the magnet-armature construction, characterized in that - The spring (9z) of the spring locking element (9) is formed and arranged so that it has a dual function, namely - That when closing the spring deflects pliable soft in the direction z, - but at a load of the closure against closing direction x the spring is rigid. 3. latching magnetic closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring of the spring locking element is an axially to the closing direction X bent resilient strip. 4. latching magnetic closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring of the spring locking element is a parallel to the closing direction X multiple kinked resilient strip. 5. latching magnetic closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring is a meandering back and forth curved or kinked strip. 6. latching magnetic closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring comprises one or more resilient joints or resilient articulated thin bodies with a hinge axis in the direction X. 7. latching magnetic closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring is designed as a separate component and is held in the open position by means of one or more inner stops centered in the closure module 2. 8. latching magnetic closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring is designed as a separate component and is held in the open position by means of one or more outer stops centered in the closure module 2. 9. latching magnetic closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnet-armature construction has a weakening bares magnet system. 10. latching magnetic closure according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the magnet-armature construction comprises a verpolbares magnetic system. 11. latching magnetic closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a return device is provided which pushes back the displaced upon opening of the latching magnetic closure functional elements in their original position.