Buckle Male Member Curved Linking Body Torsion Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional buckles are prone to catching other objects in the space surrounded by the base, legs, and linking body, and struggle to maintain stability against torsion forces due to inadequate rigidity and operability issues during engagement and disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A buckle design featuring a male member with elastically deformable legs linked by a curved linking body and projecting portions that extend between the linking body and legs, allowing for inward deformation without increasing the insertion length, and providing stability against torsion forces by distributing external forces through the projecting portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pair of legs project from both widthwise sides of the base to enable easy insertion and engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the legs are likely to be accidentally caught by other objects and opened widely outward to be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The male member is divided into distinct functional segments: a base portion, a pair of legs for engagement, and a linking body for structural connection. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while the linking body provides overall structural integrity and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A linking body is introduced as an intermediary component between the base and the pair of legs. This linking body serves as a mediator that provides structural support, prevents the legs from opening widely outward, and reduces the likelihood of accidental catching while maintaining the legs' projection for easy insertion.
2Ease of operation
If the supported ends of the pair of legs are formed to be thin to enable easy elastic deformation for disengagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the rigidity against external torsion forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the legs have different structural characteristics: the supported ends are formed to be thin for easy elastic deformation during disengagement, while the linking body provides enhanced rigidity and strength to resist external torsion forces. This local differentiation of structural quality allows simultaneous satisfaction of both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The male member combines different structural characteristics in a composite design: thin-supported legs for flexibility and ease of deformation, and a rigid linking body for strength and torsion resistance. This composite structure integrates both flexible and rigid elements to achieve multiple functional requirements.
3Reliability
If a linking body is disposed around the distal end of the guide bar to prevent contact between the linking body and guide bar, then the reliability is improved, but the length dimension in the insertion direction must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the length dimension in the insertion direction, the linking body is positioned and configured in a different spatial arrangement where it links the pair of legs without extending significantly in the insertion direction. This dimensional reconfiguration achieves the reliability goal while minimizing the insertion length.
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 design enhances operability by preventing leg damage, reduces the likelihood of catching other objects, and maintains stability against torsion forces without lengthening the insertion direction, ensuring secure engagement and disengagement while minimizing the risk of structural damage.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of legs that project from both widthwise sides of the base, the pair of legs being elastically deformable in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the male member
Implementation Method 2
a linking body that links the pair of legs and allows the legs to be elastically deformed inward, the linking body being curved such that an intermediate portion thereof is closest to the base
Implementation Method 3
a pair of projecting portions being substantially parallel with the insertion direction of the male member extend from the base between the intermediate portion of the linking body and the legs
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A buckle includes a male member (A) and a female member (B). The male member (A) includes: a base (10); a pair of legs (20) that project from the base (10); engaging portions (30) that are provided on the legs (20) to be engageable with the female member (B); and a linking body (40) that links the pair of legs (20). The linking body (40) includes a curved portion (42) that is curved such that the middle thereof is closest to the base (10). A pair of projecting portions (50) that are substantially parallel with an insertion direction of the male member (A) extend from the base (10) to be disposed outside the curved portion (42) such that the curved portion (42) is interposed therebetween. With this arrangement, the linking body for linking the pair of legs can be disposed with less possibility that other objects are caught in a space in the male member and without increasing a length dimension in the insertion direction more than necessary. The male member can be stably held relative to the female member against a torsion force.