EP2252176B1 - Locking magnet closure - Google Patents

Description

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, wherein 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 that have a particularly good feel are in the document WO 2008/006357 A1 described.

These closures are still relatively large or heavy according to previously known constructions 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 can be fastened to each element or form the closure modules with the elements an integrated unit.

The closure modules have the following features: a magnet-armature construction with at least one magnet in closure module 1 and an armature or second magnet in closure module 2, wherein the magnet-armature construction is designed so that when closing the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 are contracted automatically 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 of the locking piece and the spring locking element from an engagement position in the locking piece and spring locking element are engaged, rotated or displaced in a disengaged position against each other in the locking piece and spring locking element are not engaged, without the spring locking element is pushed aside. 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.

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 gives way 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 pliable, 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 according to another, also known from the prior art principle, 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 a wedge gradually aside, that is pressed 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 a multiply kinked resilient strip parallel to the closing direction X.

According to claim 4, 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 5, the spring on one or more resilient joints or resilient articulated thin bodies.

According to claim 6, 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 7, the spring is also designed as a separate component and held in the open position by means of one or more outer stops centered in the closure module 2.

According to claim 8, the magnet-armature construction has a weakenable magnet system.

According to claim 9, the magnet-armature construction on a poled magnetic system.

According to claim 10, a return device is provided, which pushes back the displaced in opening Y of the latching magnetic shutter in the direction of the functional elements to their 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.

Fig. 1a-g

eine allgemeine Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit Öffnung durch eine Freigabelücke;

Fig. 2

das erfindungsgemäße Federverriegelungselement aus Fig1-g nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 2;

Fig 3.

ein erfindungsgemäßes Federverriegelungselement nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 3;

Fig. 5

ein erfindungsgemäßes Federverriegelungselement nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 4;

Fig. 6

ein erfindungsgemäßes Federverriegelungselement nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 5;

Fig. 7

ein erfindungsgemäßes Federverriegelungselement nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 5.

Fig. 8a-g

eine sehr nahe mit dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel verwandte Ausführung der Erfindung nach Anspruch 2;

Fig. 9a

in einer Explosionsdarstellung einen erfindungsgemäßen Schiebe-Rastverschluss nach Anspruch 1;

Fig. 9b-d

den Verschluss gemäß Fig. 9a in unterschiedlichen Ansichten;

Fig. 10a-g

in zu den Ansichten und Bewegungsphasen von Fig. 1a-g analogen Ansichten einen erfindungsgemäßen Verschluss nach Anspruch 1 und Anspruch 8 und

Fig. 11a-g

in zu den Ansichten und Bewegungsphasen von Fig. 1a-g analogen Ansichten einen erfindungsgemäßen Verschluß nach Anspruch 1 und Anspruch 9.

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

Fig. 1a-g

a general embodiment of the invention with opening through a release gap;

Fig. 2

the spring locking element according to the invention Fig1-g according to claims 1 and 2;

Fig. 3

an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 3;

Fig. 5

an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 4;

Fig. 6

an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 5;

Fig. 7

An inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 5.

Fig. 8a-g

a very closely related to the first embodiment embodiment of the invention according to claim 2;

Fig. 9a

in an exploded view of a sliding latching closure according to the invention according to claim 1;

Fig. 9b-d

the closure according to Fig. 9a in different views;

Fig. 10a-g

in to the views and motion phases of Fig. 1a-g analogous views of a closure according to the invention according to claim 1 and claim 8 and

Fig. 11a-g

in to the views and motion phases of Fig. 1a-g analogous views of a closure according to the invention according to claim 1 and claim 9.

Fig. 1 a 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 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 9b form a snap 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 against 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 AA and BB.

Fig. 1b shows the closed position analogous to Fig. 1 e. 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 the twisting 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 to the gaps between the locking pieces 7b, 7d and thus out of engagement with the locking pieces 7a, 7c.

Fig. 1d-1g show the main functional phases 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 strip-shaped spring 9z is particularly flexible in this direction, since the strip in the direction Z in its thickness, ie smallest dimension is the easiest to bend, so it is only the magnetic force of a relatively weak magnetic anchor construction 21, 22 necessary to overcome the spring force of the spring 9z.

Fig. 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. At high load, the engagement projections now want to dodge 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 phase of operation, the connecting module 1 is now rotated with the rotary knob 40 axially in the direction Y so far that the functional phase after Fig. 1f is reached, in which the connection module 1 has been rotated so far that the engagement projections 9a, 9b of the spring locking element 9 against the gaps between the locking pieces 7b, 7d are and thus out of engagement with the locking pieces 7a, 7c. The closure can now be opened as in Fig. 1g shown.

Fig. 2 shows the spring locking element according to the invention 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.

Fig. 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.

Fig. 5 shows an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 4.

The strip spring 9z, which is bent back and forth in a meandering manner in the direction X several times, 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 bending force W is particularly rigid. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the bends can also be kinks parallel to the direction X.

Fig. 6 shows an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 5.

The spring locking element has a resilient hinge 50 with the hinge axis parallel to the direction X. The side portions 51, 52 are formed 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.

Fig. 7 shows an inventive spring locking element according to claims 1 and 5.

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 portions 51, 52 are formed 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.

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

Fig. 8a shows in exploded view 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 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 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 rotation-locking 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 snap closure. The spring-locking element 9 is positioned by striking the spring ends 9e 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.

Fig. 8b-8e show the main 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.

Fig. 8c shows the closure during closing, where the engagement projections are pushed aside.

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

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 therefore very strong, so 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 so far that the functional phase after Fig. 8e is reached, in which the connection module 1 has been rotated so far that the engagement projections 9a, 9b of the spring locking element 9 were pushed back by the wedge-shaped bevels 7h, 7e and thus out of engagement with the locking pieces 7a, 7c. The lock can now be opened.

Fig. 9a shows an exploded view of a sliding latching 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.

• dem Gehäuse 10 mit der Schließöffnung 70 zum Schließen der Verbindungsmodule in Richtung X und der Öffnung 71 zum Herausschieben des Steckers 7 in Richtung Y,
• dem Federverriegelungselement 9 bestehend aus einer axial zur Richtung X gebogenem Streifenfeder 9z, dem umlaufenden Eingriffsvorsprung 9a und den Endflächen 9g und 9e, mit denen sich die Feder an dem Vorsprung 10b abstützt,
• dem Gehäuseboden 10z mit Vorsprung 10b und
• Anker oder zweitem Magneten 21.

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 to 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.

Fig. 9b shows in perspective view the opened shutter. The closing proceeds as follows: the magnet-armature structure 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 double function according to the invention, analogous to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Fig 1a-g and fig2 :

As the spring is further flexed in the direction of Z in spreading in the same direction of its flexing, it is bendable when snapped, that is, the magnet-armature system may be relatively weak to meet the constraint to contract the closure automatically. However, the spring 9z is very resistant to bending when the closure is loaded counter to the direction X, as in FIG Fig. 2 shown and thus the closure is locked very reliable positive locking.

To open now the plug as in Fig. 9c shown, linearly displaced in the direction Y through the opening 71, without the spring is pushed aside. The closure opens so very comfortable.

Fig. 9d shows a sectional view with the closure after opening, with displaced in the direction of Y connector 7 and housing 10th

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 closure keeps very safe. 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 6 is provided when the spring locking element 9 designed as a separate component is held centered with the inner stop 10c when the closure is open. Then secure locking is supported. All execution of Fig. 1a-g . 2 . 3 . 6 . 7 . 9a-e . 10a-g have this inside stop. The meander feather after Fig. 5 can be guided by an inner stop as well as 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.

Fig. 10a-g show analogous to the views and movement phases of Fig. 1a-g A closure according to the invention according to claim 1 and claim 8.

The only difference to the execution after Fig. 1a-g is that the magnet system of two bar-shaped magnets 21,22 after rotation in direction Y has less overlap surface (see Fig. 10bA-A and Fig. 10cA-A ) and thereby the attraction of the magnet is reduced when opening, which allows a particularly simple opening.

Fig. 11a-g shows analogous to the views and movement phases of Fig. 1a-g A closure according to the invention according to claim 1 and claim 9.

The only difference to the execution after Fig. 1a-g is that the magnet-armature system consists of four magnets 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b. These lie in the closed position Fig. 11e attractive and face repulsive towards the Y in the turn (compare Fig. 11bA-A and Fig. 11c AA ) and thereby the attraction of the magnets is reduced when opening, which allows a particularly simple opening, since the shutter pops up when opening by itself.

The further developments Fig. 10a-g and 11a-g with weakenable or polarized magnetic systems also have the advantage that the magnets by their effort to align with respect to attraction position, a provision of the closure takes place.

The provision is made according to claim 10 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 (10)

1. A locking magnet closure, consisting of a first closure module and a second closure module with the following features:

   - comprising a magnet-keeper construction with at least one magnet (21) in closure module 1 and a keeper or second magnet (22) in closure module 2, wherein on closing the magnet-keeper construction pulls the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 together in closing direction x,

   - for opening, the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 are rotatable or shiftable in opening direction y laterally to the closing direction x,

   - comprising a locking device for positively locking the closure modules between closure module 1 and closure module 2, comprising

   - at least one spring locking element (9), which consists of an engaging protrusion (9a, 9b) and a spring (9z) and which is arranged in the closure module 1, and

   - a locking piece (7a, 7c) which is arranged in the closure module 2,
   wherein

   - on closing, the locking piece (7a, 7c) pushes the spring locking element (9) to the side in a direction z and then positively snaps into place with the engaging protrusion (9a, 9b) and

   - on shifting or rotating closure module 1 and closure module 2 in opening direction y, the locking piece (7a) and the spring locking element (9) are rotated or shifted against each other from an engagement position, in which locking piece (7a, 7c) and spring locking element (9) are in engagement, into a non-engagement position, in which locking piece (7a, 7c) and spring locking element (9) are not in engagement, without the spring locking element being (9) pushed to the side,

   - wherein the magnet-keeper construction is dimensioned such that on closing the locking device is automatically closed by the magnetic force of the magnet-keeper construction,
   characterized in that

   - the spring (9z) of the spring locking element (9) is a strip bent around the closing direction x and is formed and arranged such that it has a dual function, namely

   - that on closing the spring (9z) deflects flexurally soft in direction z and thus when snapping into place is spread in direction z,

   - but when applying a load on the closure against the closing direction x, the spring (9z) is flexurally rigid, such that the locking piece (7a, 7c) and the engaging protrusion (9a, 9b) are locked positively with each other.
2. A locking magnet closure, consisting of a first closure module and a second closure module with the following features:

   - comprising a magnet-keeper construction with at least one magnet (21) in closure module 1 and a keeper or second magnet (22) in closure module 2, wherein on closing the magnet-keeper construction pulls the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 together in closing direction x,

   - for opening, the closure module 1 and the closure module 2 are rotatable or shiftable against each other in opening direction y laterally to the closing direction x,

   - comprising a locking device for positively, locking the closure modules between closure module 1 and closure module 2, comprising

   - at least one spring locking element (9), which consists of an engaging protrusion (9a, 9b) and a spring (9z) and which is arranged in the closure module 1,

   - a locking piece (7a, 7c) which is arranged in the closure module 2, and

   - a wedge (7e, 7f, 7g, 7h) connected with the closure module 2 and the locking piece (7a, 7c), wherein

   - on closing, the locking piece (7a, 7c) pushes the spring locking element (9) to the side in a direction z and then positively snaps into engagement, and

   - on shifting or rotating closure module 1 and closure module 2 in the opening direction y the spring locking element (9) is gradually pushed to the side by means of the wedge (7e, 7f, 7g, 7h) from an engagement position, in which the locking piece (7a, 7c) and the spring locking element (9) are in engagement, into a non-engagement position, in which the locking piece (7a, 7c) and the spring locking element (9) no longer are in engagement with each other,

   - wherein the magnet-keeper construction is dimensioned such that on closing the locking device is automatically closed by the magnetic force of the magnet-keeper construction,
   characterized in that
   the spring (9z) of the spring locking element (9) is a strip bent around the closing direction x and is formed and arranged such that it has a dual function, namely

   - that on closing, the spring (9z) deflects flexurally soft in the direction z and thus when snapping into place is spread in direction z,

   - but when applying a load on the closure against the closing direction x the spring (9z) is flexurally rigid, such that the locking piece (7a, 7c) and the engaging protrusion (9a, 9b) are locked positively with each other.
3. The locking magnet closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring (9z) of the spring locking element (9) is a resilient strip repeatedly kinked.
4. The locking magnet closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring (9) is a strip bent or kinked meandrously to and fro.
5. The locking magnet closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring (9z) includes one or more resilient joints (50) or resilient joint-like thin portions (53a, 53b, 53c) with a joint axis in the direction x.
6. The locking magnet closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring (9z) is configured as a separate component and in the open position is held centered in the closure module 2 by means of one or more inner stops.
7. The locking magnet closure according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring (9z) is configured as a separate component and in the open position is held centered in the closure module 2 by means of one or more outer stops.
8. The locking magnet closure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnet-keeper construction includes an attenuatable magnetic system (21, 22).
9. The locking magnet closure according claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the magnet-keeper construction includes a polable magnetic system (21 a, 21 b, 22a, 22b).
10. The locking magnet closure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a repositioning device is provided, which pushes the function elements shifted on opening the locking magnet closure back into their starting position.

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