Buckle Teeth Material Differentiation for Tension Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners with a buckle and band fail to maintain tension without compromising the integrity of the teeth, leading to potential failure under force, as the materials used for the hinge and teeth are often too stiff or too flexible, and the need for an integral mechanical hinge limits design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A buckle and toothed band design where the teeth are made of a stronger, stiffer material and the rest of the buckle is made of a flexible, ductile material, with a biasing mechanism to ensure reliable engagement, eliminating the need for an integral mechanical hinge and allowing separate materials for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the buckle is made of a single stiff material to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the flexibility and ductility required for encircling objects is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle is constructed with different materials in different regions: the jaw and teeth use a stiff, strong material (such as nylon 6.6 or acetal) to withstand tensile loads and maintain engagement, while the body and tongue use a more flexible, ductile material (such as polypropylene) to allow deformation and encircling of objects. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and flexibility.
2Strength
If the teeth are made of a stiff material to withstand tension forces, then the strength is improved, but the reliability of engagement is compromised due to potential deformation or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle employs composite construction where the jaw teeth are made of a stiff, high-strength material (nylon 6.6, acetal, or polyoxymethylene) that can withstand tensile forces without deforming, while the body is made of a more ductile material. This composite approach ensures that the teeth maintain their engagement reliability under tension while the overall buckle remains flexible and reliable.
3Stability of the object's composition
If an integral mechanical hinge is used to connect the jaw to the body, then the structural stability is improved, but the design flexibility and ability to use separate materials is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle is divided into separate components: the body, the jaw, and the tongue are formed as distinct parts that can be manufactured separately using different materials. These components are then assembled together, allowing optimal material selection for each part's specific function while maintaining overall structural stability through the assembly design.
4Ease of manufacture
If the same material is used for the entire buckle, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the optimal performance of different parts is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the buckle are manufactured from materials optimized for their specific functions: the jaw and teeth use stiff, strong materials for load-bearing and engagement, while the body and tongue use flexible, ductile materials for deformation and insertion. This local quality differentiation ensures optimal performance of each part while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple through injection molding of separate components.
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 the strength and reliability of the fastener by allowing the teeth to withstand higher forces without deforming, maintaining engagement under tension and preventing failure, while the flexible buckle material ensures flexibility when encircling objects.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element having a first end and a second end, the resilient element being retained by the body in a resiliently biased condition towards the jaw with the second end abutting the jaw
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A fastener for holding or clamping at least one object is provided that comprises: a band (10) formed into a closed loop, said band having a first end and a second end and teeth (11) on its outer surface; and a buckle (12) that holds the band in a closed loop and comprises a body having a passage (15) and for holding the band in a closed loop possibly under considerable tension; a toothed jaw projects into the passage and engages the band in the passage and holds the end of the band against the tension in the band. The jaw and the body of the buckle are separate mouldings and can be made of separate materials.