Adaptable Belt Buckle Mechanism for Dual Widths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt buckles are not conveniently adaptable to different belt widths, requiring complex mechanisms and actuators that complicate the adjustment process.
Innovation Solution
A belt buckle design featuring a bridge with two parts that can be actuated between stable positions to accommodate different belt widths, utilizing a mechanism with a main moving part, positioning pins, and a trigger guard that allows easy selection of width configurations without an independent actuator, facilitating belt passage through a rigid loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a belt buckle is designed to accommodate different belt widths, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for adjustment mechanisms and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment mechanism and the actuator into a single integrated component. The actuator itself performs the adjustment function by moving between positions that correspond to different belt width configurations, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the actuating element and the adjustment mechanism. By moving between different positions, it simultaneously controls the configuration for different belt widths, making a single component perform what would traditionally require multiple separate elements
2Adaptability or versatility
If an independent actuator is added to enable width adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the actuator with the adjustment mechanism, the patent reduces the number of components the user must interact with. The user operates a single integrated actuator that directly controls the width configuration, simplifying the user interface and improving ease of operation compared to systems requiring separate adjustment mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism with multiple components is used for width adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing complexity by combining multiple components into a single actuator element. This integration reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, while still providing the capability for configuration changes between different belt widths
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed with distinct positional states that correspond to different belt width configurations. This segmentation of the actuator's movement into discrete positions allows for simplified manufacturing of each position while maintaining the overall adaptability of the system
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~11
AI summary
The invention relates to a belt buckle (2), adaptable to at least two different widths (e1, e2) of belt tape (3), comprising a housing (4) and at least one bridge (5) formed of two parts (8, 9) which extend on either side of the housing, the belt buckle further comprising a mechanism housed at least in part in a cavity (23) of the housing and movable between at least a first stable position and a second stable position, said mechanism being configured to be moved by the actuation of at least one of the parts of the bridge relative to the other between a first configuration, corresponding to a first width (e1) of belt tape, and a second configuration, corresponding to a second width (e2) of belt tape.