Buckle With Adjustable Folding-Back Shaft For Band Length

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing buckles for divers' wristbands are complex and costly due to numerous parts, making it difficult to easily and rapidly adjust the band length while minimizing protruding components and ensuring secure attachment during shocks.

Innovation Solution

A buckle design featuring a frame, length adjustment chain, and folding-back shaft with a position adjuster, allowing for easy adjustment of band length by moving the folding-back shaft within the frame, reducing the number of parts and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex latch mechanism with multiple parts (cam, coil spring, latch pawls) is used to secure the buckle, then the reliability of the buckle is improved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuckle securityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the latch pawl, cam, and spring into an integrated latch mechanism assembly that operates as a unified component. The cam is formed as part of the slider structure, and the spring is positioned within the same housing, merging multiple previously separate parts into a consolidated mechanism that maintains reliability while reducing overall part count

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slider component serves multiple functions: it acts as both the length adjustment mechanism and the cam for the latch operation. The single slider element performs both positioning and locking functions, eliminating the need for separate cam components and reducing device complexity while maintaining secure engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a complex latch mechanism with multiple parts is used to secure the buckle, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuckle securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the latch pawl, cam, and spring into an integrated latch mechanism assembly that operates as a unified component. The cam is formed as part of the slider structure, and the spring is positioned within the same housing, merging multiple previously separate parts into a consolidated mechanism that maintains reliability while reducing overall part count

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slider component serves multiple functions: it acts as both the length adjustment mechanism and the cam for the latch operation. The single slider element performs both positioning and locking functions, eliminating the need for separate cam components and reducing device complexity while maintaining secure engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the band length is adjusted by moving multiple components, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveband length adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the latch pawl, cam, and spring into an integrated latch mechanism assembly that operates as a unified component. The cam is formed as part of the slider structure, and the spring is positioned within the same housing, merging multiple previously separate parts into a consolidated mechanism that maintains reliability while reducing overall part count

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slider component serves multiple functions: it acts as both the length adjustment mechanism and the cam for the latch operation. The single slider element performs both positioning and locking functions, eliminating the need for separate cam components and reducing device complexity while maintaining secure engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7797801B2Buckle for band and object wearing device using the buckle

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A buckle for a pair of band sections connected to an object at a pair of opposite positions for wearing the object on a user's body includes a frame connected to one band section, a length adjustment chain connected to the other band, a chain folding-back shaft for folding back the chain, and a folding-back shaft position adjuster for moving the position of the folding-back shaft adjustably. When the position of the shaft is changed in the length direction of the frame, the position where the chain is folded back by the shaft changes and a distance between both the band sections is adjusted.