Buckle Device with Electromagnetic Actuation and Elastic Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional buckle devices have complex structures, are difficult to assemble, prone to deformation, and lack durability, leading to potential accidental releases during use.

Innovation Solution

A buckle device design featuring a main unit with a housing, slider blocks, and elastic bodies, along with a latch unit, fastening unit, and electromagnetic module, which includes apertures and elastic bodies to securely fasten and release the bolt body, enhancing structural strength and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional vertical disks with multiple grooves and protrusions are used for fastening, then the buckle device can provide fastening function, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to assemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the fastening system into separate modular components: a latch plate with simple fastening elements and a buckle body with corresponding receiving structures. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and easy to manufacture, while collectively providing the required fastening function, eliminating the need for complex vertical disks with multiple grooves and protrusions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the fastening function from the complex vertical disk structure and implements it through simpler dedicated components. The latch plate contains the essential fastening elements, while the buckle body provides the receiving and locking mechanisms, separating concerns and reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If electromagnetic rods interfere with vertical disks to prevent release, then the buckle device can prevent accidental release, but the press body can still be pressed causing occupant uneasiness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevent accidental releaseVSAvoidpress body operability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a detector as an intermediary component that monitors the state of the electromagnetic rod and latch plate interaction. The control unit uses this detection information to intelligently control the electromagnetic rod, enabling it to distinguish between intentional pressing (for release) and accidental forces, thus preventing accidental release while allowing intentional operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detector continuously monitors the position and state of the electromagnetic rod and latch plate, and this information is fed back to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the electromagnetic rod's state based on this feedback, ensuring that the locking mechanism remains engaged during normal operation but can be properly released when intended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If vertical disks are set in the middle with long rotating shafts, then the buckle device can provide rotation mechanism, but the rotating shafts are easily deformed due to external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation mechanismVSAvoidrotating shaft strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotation mechanism with long rotating shafts that are prone to deformation with an electromagnetic actuation system. The electromagnetic rod, controlled by electromagnetic force, performs the locking and unlocking functions without requiring long mechanical shafts, thereby eliminating the strength and deformation issues while maintaining the necessary adaptability for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the rotation function from the mechanical shaft system and replaces it with electromagnetic actuation. The electromagnetic rod can be actuated linearly to achieve the same functional effect as rotation, eliminating the need for vulnerable rotating shafts while maintaining operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If multiple protrusions are provided on vertical disks to limit rotation angle, then the buckle device can control movement, but the protrusions are tiny to wear out leading to accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement controlVSAvoidprotrusion durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical protrusion-based movement control system with an electromagnetic control system. The electromagnetic rod's position and state are controlled by electromagnetic force and monitored by a detector, eliminating the need for small protrusions that are susceptible to wear. This substitution maintains precise movement control while dramatically improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Reliability

If latch plate device is directly fastened by electromagnetic rods, then the buckle device can provide fastening, but the pulling force is obviously insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening functionVSAvoidpulling force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fastening mechanisms within the buckle body structure. In addition to the electromagnetic rod, the buckle body includes a latch plate receiving structure, detection mechanisms, and control systems that work together to provide robust fastening. This combination of mechanisms distributes and amplifies the holding force, ensuring sufficient pulling force capacity that exceeds the limitation of electromagnetic rod direct fastening alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies assembly, increases durability, and prevents accidental releases by providing a stronger structural support and secure fastening mechanism, reducing the risk of deformation and enhancing the overall functionality of the buckle device.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic module, an electromagnetic rod that can be moved by electromagnetic force of the electromagnetic module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

a first elastic body, a second elastic body wherein the first elastic body is abutting against the slider block, and the second elastic body is abutting against the bolt body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3973809B1Buckle device
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 BROGENT TECH
  • EP3973809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3973809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3973809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A buckle device comprises a main body unit, a latch unit and a fastening unit. The main body unit includes a housing surrounding and defining an accommodating space, two first apertures provided in the housing, two slider blocks arranged in the accommodating space, and two first elastic bodies abutting against the slider blocks. The latch unit includes a tongue element and two tongue openings provided on the tongue element. The fastening unit includes two bolt bodies passing through the first apertures, and two second elastic bodies abutting against the bolt bodies. When the tongue element is separated from the two slider blocks, the two slider blocks are pushed by the two first elastic bodies, and the two bolt bodies is pushed against by the two slider blocks. When the tongue element is in contact with the two slider blocks, the two slider blocks are pushed by the tongue element, and the two bolt bodies are pushed into the two tongue openings by the two second elastic bodies, so that the tongue element can be securely fastened. Accordingly, the external pulling force of the tongue element can be increased, and the structure of the buckle device can be effectively improved.