Buckle Controller with Rotating Band Control Portion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional buckles used for adjusting the size of clothing and accessories are complex to manufacture, have poor durability, and are damaged easily due to repetitive use, with a large number of components contributing to these issues.
Innovation Solution
A controller and band system that allows for selective movement in two directions, featuring a body portion, a band control portion that rotates between positions, and an elastic portion that deforms under external force, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional buckles use a button rotatably mounted in the buckle housing with multiple components, then the band can be tightened and released, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the button, spring, and band control functions into a single integrated band control portion. This component combines the rotational mechanism with the band engagement features, eliminating the need for separate buttons and springs while maintaining the tightening and releasing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The band control portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the rotational control mechanism, the band engagement element, and the force transmission component. This multi-functional design replaces several specialized components with one versatile element, simplifying the overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If conventional buckles use a button rotatably mounted in the buckle housing, then the band can be released by turning the button, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the button mechanism with the band control features into a single molded or machined component. This integration eliminates multiple assembly steps and reduces manufacturing complexity while preserving the ease of operation for releasing the band.
Solution Approach 2:
The band control portion is designed to automatically engage and disengage the band through its rotational movement, eliminating the need for separate controlling mechanisms. The component serves itself by integrating the control function directly into its structure, simplifying both manufacturing and operation.
3Ease of operation
If conventional buckles use multiple components including button, holding means, and spring, then the band can be controlled, but the device size increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the button, holding means, and spring into a single compact band control portion. This consolidation reduces the overall volume by eliminating the space required for multiple separate components and their associated assembly clearances, while maintaining full band control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The band control portion is designed with nested functional elements where the rotational mechanism, holding features, and elastic elements are integrated within each other. This nesting approach minimizes the external dimensions while preserving all control functions, reducing the overall buckle size.
4Ease of operation
If conventional buckles use a button rotatably mounted in the buckle housing with holding means and spring, then the band can be selectively restricted, but the durability decreases due to repetitive use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the button, holding means, and spring into a single robust band control portion that eliminates weak points at component interfaces. This integration reduces the number of connection points that could fail under repetitive use, thereby improving durability while maintaining selective band restriction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The band control portion is designed to automatically reset and return to its initial state after each operation cycle, eliminating wear on separate returning mechanisms. The integrated design ensures that all components move together as a unified system, reducing relative motion and friction that would otherwise degrade durability over time.
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, enhances durability, and provides user convenience by allowing smooth sliding and easy operation while minimizing the device's size, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional buckles.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic portion which is elastically deformed when the band control portion is changed in position from the first position to the second position due to an external force and is located to be immovable in the first direction and the second direction in an internal space of the body portion to restore the band control portion from the second position to the first position using a restoring force caused by the elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a controller which allows a movement of a band in a first direction to be free but allows a movement of the band in a second direction to be selective.