Buckle Device Thrust Spring Assembly Fatigue Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing buckle devices for motion simulation chairs suffer from insufficient durability due to spring fatigue, complex assembly processes, and a complicated structure, particularly at the junctions between tension springs and fasteners, leading to brittleness and increased assembly difficulty.

Innovation Solution

A buckle device design featuring a main unit with a housing, disk unit, press unit, and elastic unit, utilizing thrust springs that eliminate the need for annular fasteners, allowing for smoother operation and extended lifespan by integrating a spring disk support region and press support region to push the vertical disk and press body, respectively, while maintaining the buckle's functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If tension springs with annular fasteners are used to provide tensile force between objects, then the buckles can be fastened and provide securing force, but the junction between the spring and fastener becomes brittle over time due to spring fatigue, reducing durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring forceVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the annular fastener component from the spring assembly, extracting the source of the brittle junction. The spring directly engages with the connecting regions without requiring separate fasteners, eliminating the fatigue-prone connection points while maintaining the securing force function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring and its mounting structure are merged into an integrated assembly where the spring ends directly engage with the connecting regions. This consolidation eliminates the separate fastener components and their vulnerable junctions, combining the fastening and springing functions into a single durable unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple separate fasteners and connecting regions are used for each spring, then the components can be securely fastened, but the assembly process becomes complex and tedious, increasing assembly difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fasteningVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fastening operations into a single integrated spring assembly that engages with connecting regions in one action. The spring design incorporates direct engagement features that eliminate the need for separate fastener installation steps, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting regions are designed with distinct engagement features that allow the spring assembly to be segmented into manageable installation steps, where each spring can be independently and quickly attached to its corresponding connecting regions without interfering with other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If each movable object is provided with separate springs and fixing members, then the components can function independently, but the overall structure becomes complicated with various and abundant springs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent functionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring assembly is designed as a universal component that can perform multiple functions: providing tensile force, securing movable objects, and engaging with different connecting regions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate fixing members and reduces the variety of spring types required, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining independent functionality.

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

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 durability by preventing metal fatigue and simplifies assembly, extending the buckle's lifespan and reducing structural complexity, ensuring smooth operation and accurate control of the buckle's positions.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic unit includes at least one first spring body, wherein the first spring body is a thrust spring... the first spring body pushing the vertical disk to the disk unlatched position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The elastic unit includes at least one first spring body, wherein the first spring body is a thrust spring... the spring disk support region supporting one end of the first spring body, the spring press support region supporting the other end of the first spring body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

the press support body presses against the rotation limiting region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3679823B1Buckle device
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 BROGENT TECH
  • EP3679823B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3679823B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3679823B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A buckle device comprises a main unit (3), a disk unit (4), a press unit (5), and an elastic unit (7). The main unit (3) includes a housing (32). The disk unit (4) includes at least one vertical disk (41). The press unit (5) includes a press body (51). The elastic unit (7) includes a first spring body (71). One end of the first spring body (71) is disposed on the vertical disk (41). The other end of the first spring body (71) is disposed on the press body (51). The first spring body (71) is a thrust spring to extend the lifespan of the buckle device.