Advanced magnetic zipper for industrial and consumer applications
Sensors, Devices and Components
Ref.-Nr.: 0705-4974-BC
Keywords
full magnetic zipper, automatic closing, permanent magnet
Technology
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization have developed an advanced magnetic zipper for industrial and consumer applications that is immune against misaligned closing of both rows.

FIG. 1: Conventional magnetic zippers fail to compensate for positioning offsets: The automatic closing mechanism connects the entire length of both rows even when two starting pairs are misaligned (a, b). The inventive magnetic zipper features two rows of magnetic elements with varying length and polarization (c). Here, a positioning offset fails to induce an automatic closing mechanism (d, e). Although all figures exemplify magnetic zippers with diametrically magnetized elements, longitudinally magnetized elements are also possible.
The design is based on permanent magnetic elements of different lengths as illustrated in Figure 1 (c,d). The pattern formed by the different lengths is such that in the case of positioning offsets, neighboring elements are generally repelled from the opposing rows. Thus, the automatic closing mechanism is only triggered when two matching pairs of magnetic elements are brought into contact by the user.
This simple but effective improvement increases the usability of magnetic zippers. Further it is a key technology establishing magnetic zippers for applications that demand user-friendly and reliable zippers, such as outdoor clothing, adventure backpacks or industrial applications.
Advantages
Advanced magnetic zipper design feature
- strong connection between permanent magnetic elements.
- robust, high speed automatic closing mechanism.
- reliability no slider or teeth to damage or jam
- one-touch operation that does not require manual alignment by the user
Patent Information
- EP priority patent pending
PDF Download
- Ref.-No.: 0705-4974-BC (388.6 KiB)
Contact person

Dr. Bernd Ctortecka, M. Phil.
Senior Patent- & License Manager
Physicist
Phone: +49 89 / 29 09 19-20
E-Mail:
ctortecka@max-planck-innovation.de