Accessory Fastener Structure for Easy Push-Twist Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fasteners for accessories, such as necklaces, require a 90-degree twist and a pinching mechanism, making them larger, heavier, and more expensive, with a risk of accidental disengagement due to slippery hands and difficulty in checking the engagement status at the back of the neck.
Innovation Solution
A fastener design featuring a female part with a shorter opening and an engagement-separating gap, and a male part with a circular locking frame and guide parts for easy engagement and disengagement by pushing and twisting, allowing for smaller size and reduced pinching force requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the male part is rotated 90 degrees and pushed into the female part for engagement, then the fastener can be securely connected, but the female part requires a hole (eye) for smooth movement and the male part requires an additional pinching part, making the fastener almost twice as long as conventional fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into functional segments: the male part has a locking protrusion and locking groove for engagement, while the female part has a clamping structure with elastic deformation capability. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring one continuous long structure, reducing overall length while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a linear insertion mechanism (requiring 90-degree rotation and long axial movement) to a radial clamping mechanism where the female part expands radially to clamp the male part. This dimensional change eliminates the need for long axial holes and pinching parts, significantly reducing the length of both male and female parts.
2Reliability
If the male part is rotated 90 degrees for engagement, then connection is achieved, but the pinching position is on the axis while the female part opening contacts the side of the male part outside the axis, requiring strong pinching force especially when hands are slippery
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pinching the male part to rotate it 90 degrees for engagement, the invention inverts the mechanism: the female part actively clamps the male part radially after alignment. The elastic deformation structure of the female part provides the clamping force, eliminating the need for strong manual pinching and making operation easy even with slippery hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformation structure of the female part automatically provides the clamping force needed for engagement. Once the male part is aligned with the female part opening, the elastic material naturally expands to clamp the male part securely without requiring additional manual force, making the system self-servicing for the engagement action.
3Reliability
If the male part and female part are made longer to accommodate rotation and pinching mechanisms, then engagement is possible, but the fastener becomes more costly and heavier since products made from gold/platinum are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener uses segmented functional elements (locking protrusion, locking groove, radial clamping structure) that can be implemented with minimal material. This segmentation avoids the need for long continuous structures, reducing the amount of expensive gold/platinum material required while maintaining engagement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from a linear axial engagement mechanism to a radial clamping mechanism, the invention dramatically reduces the length dimensions of both male and female parts. This dimensional transformation directly reduces material consumption, making the fastener lighter and less costly while using precious metals like gold or platinum.
4Reliability
If the male part is rotated 90 degrees for engagement, then connection is achieved, but it is impossible to check whether the male part rotates 90 degrees or not when engaging at the back of the neck
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates visual indicators (such as color-coded markers or contrasting colors on the male and female parts) that change appearance or alignment when properly engaged. This allows the user to visually confirm correct engagement status even when the fastener is at the back of the neck, eliminating the need to physically check the rotation angle.
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 fastener is easier to engage and disengage with minimal force, is more compact, and reduces the risk of accidental disengagement, maintaining a secure connection while being user-friendly and aesthetically appealing.
Implementation Method 1
the female part further comprises an opening part, which can close elastically, at a tip of the holding frame body
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener for accessories includes a pair of a female part (1) and a male part (2). The female part (1) includes a holding frame body (12), a holding space (13) which is surrounded by the holding frame body (12), and an opening part (14) which can close elastically. The female part (1) further includes a guide part (15) for insertion at an outer side of the opening part (14). The male part (2) includes a circular locking frame body (22), a locking accepting part (25) which is surrounded by the locking frame body (22), and a locking part (21) which can close elastically at a tip of the locking frame body (22). The male part (2) further includes a guide part (23) for engagement/disengagement at an inner side of the locking part (21) and an outer shell on a periphery of the locking frame body (22).