Side Release Buckle with Conductive Contact Points for Automatic LED Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often fail to activate or deactivate light-emitting diodes (LEDs) embedded in items, leading to battery drain or failure to turn them on, as they require a separate switch to be manually turned on and off.
Innovation Solution
A side release buckle device with conductive contact points that form a switch when the male and female members are locked or unlocked, allowing the LEDs to turn on and off automatically with the buckle's locking mechanism, eliminating the need for a separate on/off switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate switch is provided to control LEDs, then the LEDs can be activated and deactivated, but the user may fail to activate or deactivate them properly, leading to battery drain or failure to turn them on
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the switch function with the buckle's locking mechanism by integrating conductive contact points into the male and female buckle members. When the buckle is locked, the contact points establish electrical connection to activate the LEDs; when unlocked, the connection is broken and LEDs turn off. This merging eliminates the need for a separate manual switch, ensuring reliable LED activation tied directly to the buckle's functional state.
2Extent of automation
If a manual switch is used to control LEDs, then the user has control over LED activation, but this requires additional user action that is often overlooked or forgotten
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically controlling LED activation through the buckle's own locking mechanism. The conductive contact points are positioned such that the act of locking the buckle itself closes the electrical circuit, activating the LEDs without requiring any additional user action. The system uses its own operational state (locked/unlocked) to automatically control the LED function.
3Illumination intensity
If LEDs are always on to ensure visibility, then visibility is maintained, but battery energy is continuously consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by activating LEDs only during specific periods when the buckle is in the locked state. The conductive contact points ensure that electrical power is supplied to the LEDs only when the buckle is properly secured, creating an on-demand illumination pattern that matches the actual need for visibility during buckle usage, rather than continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A side release buckle device that has a male member and a female member. The female member has a housing, a catch assembly and at least one contact point. The male member is capable of interlocking with the female member and has an arm assembly, a catch assembly and at least one contact point. At least one switch is formed by the contact between the contact point of the male member and the contact point of the female member. An electrical circuit traverses the female and male member, such that when the members are “locked” together the switch is closed and when the members are apart the switch is open. The electrical circuit has a series of wires, a source of electrical energy, a currently limiting resistor, at least one switch and an electrical element (e.g. light source).