Buckle Device Partitioning Section Blocks Foreign Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing buckle devices fail to effectively prevent foreign objects from reaching the detector side, especially when a foreign object enters through the insertion opening and passes through a through hole in the housing, potentially interfering with the detection mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A buckle device with a partitioning section that includes a through hole for communication between the moving member and the communication member, where the communication member closes the through hole upon movement, and a guide portion that directs foreign objects away from the detector side, ensuring they do not reach the detector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a through hole is formed in the partitioning section to allow communication between the moving member and the communication member, then the detector can detect insertion of the tongue, but foreign objects can pass through the through hole and reach the detector side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection functionVSAvoidforeign object intrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The partitioning section is designed to be movable, changing its state between blocking and allowing passage. When the tongue is inserted, the partitioning section moves to an opened state, enabling the communication member to detect insertion. When no tongue is inserted, it remains in a closed state, blocking foreign objects from reaching the detector side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The partitioning section is preliminarily positioned in a closed state that blocks foreign objects before any insertion occurs. This preliminary blocking action is maintained until the actual insertion event triggers the partitioning section to move to the opened state, ensuring foreign object prevention is active before potential harm can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the detector is disposed at an outside region to the groove to avoid foreign objects, then foreign objects are suppressed from reaching the detector, but the detector cannot communicate with the moving member without forming a through hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign object suppressionVSAvoidcommunication structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partitioning section and the communication path are merged into a single integrated structure. The partitioning section itself forms the wall of the groove and includes the through hole, eliminating the need for separate communication passages and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining foreign object suppression capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The partitioning section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a barrier to foreign objects, forms the structural wall of the groove, provides the through hole for communication, and moves to enable detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2614739B1Buckle device
Publication Date: 2015.07.29 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
  • EP2614739B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2614739B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2614739B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Foreign objects that have entered inside an insertion body are suppressed from reaching a detector side. In a buckle device, when a tongue plate is attached, an ejector slides downwards inside a buckle body, opening a through hole in a partitioning wall of a lower cover at the upper side. A main body portion of a slider member of a buckle switch is inserted into the through hole, closing off a portion of the through hole that has been opened by the ejector. Hence it is suppressed that foreign objects discharged through an insertion through hole in the buckle body to outside the buckle body pass through the through hole and reach the buckle switch side further than the partitioning wall.