Buckle with Width-Direction Hook Profiles for Ballistic Vest Load Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckles for ballistic vests are difficult to operate and occupy excessive space, making them inefficient for load coupling and storage.
Innovation Solution
The buckle features hook profiles extending in the width direction, allowing for easy opening and closing by pushing the hooks into or away from each other, with a locking element that automatically secures the components under load, enabling efficient load transmission and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional buckle designs with C-shaped clips and tabs are used, then the buckle provides sufficient locking reliability, but the buckle becomes difficult to operate and has excessive overall size
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle is divided into two separate buckle components, each with its own hook profile. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both operation ease and compact size, while maintaining reliable coupling through the interengaging hook profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a complex multi-directional insertion system to a simplified linear pushing motion along the longitudinal axis. The hook profiles are designed to engage through simple pushing movements, eliminating the need for lateral alignment and complex insertion paths.
2Strength
If traditional buckle designs are used, then the buckle provides adequate coupling strength, but the overall length increases reducing available space for additional objects
Solution Approach 1:
The hook profiles are designed to interengage directly with each other, merging the coupling function into a compact interlocking structure. This eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms and extends, resulting in a shorter overall buckle length while maintaining load transmission capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook profiles feature curved geometries that allow for smooth load distribution and interengagement. The curved surfaces of the hook profiles enable efficient force transfer while maintaining a compact form factor, reducing the overall length required for adequate coupling strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If the buckle components are designed with simple geometries, then the manufacturing is easier, but the locking reliability and load bearing capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hook profiles are designed with pre-formed geometries that automatically align and engage when the buckle components are pushed together. This preliminary configuration of the hook profiles ensures reliable locking without requiring complex assembly operations or additional adjustment steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle for releasable load coupling of two elements, the buckle includes a first and a second buckle component. Each of the buckle components may have a connection area via which one of the elements is connectable to the buckle component, and a coupling area wherein the buckle components can be coupled to one another in a form-fit manner. The buckle components may be releasably locked to one another at the coupled position by a locking element. Each of the coupling areas of the buckle components may be defined by a hook profile extending in the width direction. The hook profiles of the buckle components may be configured as complementary elements and interengage at the coupled position of the buckle components. One embodiment includes using the buckle to couple two elements on an object that can be worn on the human body, and in some cases, a ballistic vest.