Quick Release Buckle Assembly with Perpendicular Sliding Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard quick-release buckle systems are difficult to disengage while moving and can be inadvertently released due to directional issues with cord pulls, and the force required for release is dependent on the stiffness of locking legs, making them prone to breakage.
Innovation Solution
A buckle assembly with a spring-loaded locking device that slides perpendicular to the buckle plane for release, allowing secure engagement and disengagement by pulling upward on a cord or strap within a specific angle, preventing inadvertent release and decoupling the strength of the locking mechanism from the release force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the locking legs are made stronger, then the locking mechanism strength is improved, but the force required to release the buckle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the locking legs provide structural strength while the release mechanism uses a cam and lever system to provide mechanical advantage for easy release. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism incorporates a cam and lever system that converts a small release force into sufficient force to disengage the locking legs. The cam profile creates a mechanical advantage that dynamically amplifies the release force, allowing strong locking legs to be released with minimal effort.
2Ease of operation
If a cord is connected to the legs of the male portion to enable quick release, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to inadvertent release
Solution Approach 1:
The cord attachment and cam mechanism are designed with asymmetric geometry that only permits release when the cord is pulled in the specific upward direction. The cam profile and lever arm are positioned such that lateral or downward forces cannot activate the release, creating directional asymmetry that prevents inadvertent release while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the cord pull the locking legs directly as in conventional designs, the cord pulls the cam mechanism which then indirectly actuates the release. This inverted approach allows the cord to be positioned and oriented in a way that prevents inadvertent activation while still providing quick release when intentionally pulled.
3Ease of operation
If a lateral movement or pivoting motion of a lever is used for release, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to inadvertent release from catching on objects
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism inverts the conventional approach by using a vertical sliding motion instead of lateral movement or pivoting. The cam and lever system converts vertical cord pull into the necessary mechanical action for release, eliminating the risk of inadvertent activation that plagues lateral and pivoting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism transitions from lateral or rotational motion to vertical sliding motion in a different dimension. The cord pulls vertically upward, the cam slides vertically within the lever arm, and this vertical motion is then converted to the necessary release action. This dimensional change ensures that environmental obstructions cannot inadvertently trigger release.
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 buckle assembly ensures secure engagement and easy release without inadvertent disengagement, even in restricted environments, by requiring a direct sliding motion that cannot occur accidentally, and maintains strength independent of the release force.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded locking device that slides perpendicular to the buckle plane for release
Implementation Method 2
spring-loaded locking device
Data Source
AI summary
A quick release buckle assembly has a male portion that is inserted into a female portion. Each female portion has a cavity and at a spring-loaded locking device disposed within the cavity. Each male portion has a base with a locking tongue having an aperture, such that inserting the male portion into the open top of the female portion causes the locking device to snap into the aperture in the locking tongue to lock the two buckle portions together. To release the buckle portions, the locking device is pulled upward, in a direction that is between 45 to 90 degrees to the insertion plane of the female portion, until the locking device clears the aperture in the locking tongue. The motion required to release the male portion from the female portion ensures that the buckle will not be inadvertently released by catching on something in the environment.