Lift-Up Buckle Device With Soft Cover For Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Buckle devices experience a reduction in durability due to repeated movement, particularly affecting the coupling members connected to the buckle.
Innovation Solution
A buckle device design featuring a coupling member with a guide section and soft and hard covers that allow flexible displacement and reduce contact pressure between the coupling member and the guide section, along with an abutting suppression section to prevent collision, enhancing durability and self-supporting properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coupling member is repeatedly displaced to move the buckle, then the buckle can be repositioned, but the durability of the coupling member deteriorates due to contact with the guide section
Solution Approach 1:
A soft cover made of flexible material is provided that covers the coupling member and can be deformed when load is input to the buckle. This flexible cover protects the coupling member from direct contact with the guide section while allowing the buckle to move, thus resolving the contradiction between repositioning capability and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft cover acts as a cushioning element that is positioned beforehand to protect the coupling member. When the coupling member is displaced during buckle repositioning, the soft cover absorbs contact forces before they reach the coupling member, preventing durability deterioration while maintaining operational functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the first cover is made soft to allow flexible displacement, then the buckle can deform under external force, but the self-supporting properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system uses a composite structure with a soft first cover made of flexible material for deformation capability, and a harder second cover that provides structural support. This composite arrangement allows the buckle to deform under external force while maintaining self-supporting properties when no load is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is divided into multiple sections with different material properties: a soft first cover that deforms under load and a harder second cover that provides structural support. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.
3Strength
If the second cover is made harder to secure self-supporting properties, then the buckle maintains structural integrity, but the ability to deform under external force deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-cover system combines a hard second cover for structural support with a soft first cover for deformation. The hard second cover maintains self-supporting properties, while the soft first cover enables flexible displacement under external force, resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure is segmented into a hard outer layer (second cover) for structural integrity and a soft inner layer (first cover) for deformation capability. This segmentation allows the buckle to simultaneously maintain structural integrity and deform under load.
4Reliability
If the dimension of the guide section end portion is increased toward the buckle side, then contact pressure between the coupling member and guide section is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide section features a localized dimensional variation where the end portion dimension increases toward the buckle side. This local quality change reduces contact pressure specifically at the critical contact area between the coupling member and guide section, improving durability without requiring a complete redesign of the entire guide structure.
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 effectively suppresses the reduction in durability of the coupling member and secures self-supporting properties by reducing contact pressure and preventing collisions, allowing for flexible displacement under external forces without compromising the buckle's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first cover that is soft, that engages with the guide member and covers the coupling member, and that is deformed when load is input to the buckle
Data Source
AI summary
A reduction in the durability of a coupling member coupled to a buckle is suppressed. A lift-up buckle device includes a buckle that engages with a tongue inserted through webbing worn by an occupant, and wires that each have a portion fixed to the buckle and that are displaced to move the buckle. The lift-up buckle device also includes a wire guide that includes a guide groove that guides the wires, and a soft lower cover that engages with the wire guide and covers the wires. A dimension of an end portion on the buckle side of the guide groove is set so as to increase on progression toward the buckle side.