Buckling Device Elastic Portion Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional buckling devices for masks and diving fins require excessive strength to adjust due to insufficient flexibility and material fatigue, leading to potential safety issues and breakage.
Innovation Solution
A buckling device with an elastic portion made of a material with shore hardness between A10 and A95, providing better flexibility than the other portions, allowing for easy assembly and non-laborious control, and preventing breakage through the use of materials like silicone, Thermoplastic Rubber, and Polyvinyl Chloride.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the restoration element is made with sufficient strength and hardness, then the buckling device can securely engage the belt, but the material lacks flexibility making it difficult to adjust and prone to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The buckling device is divided into two separate components: a hard body (11) for structural support and engagement, and a soft restoration element (13) for providing restoring force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the body can be made of hard material for secure engagement while the restoration element can be made of flexible material for easy adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material construction by combining hard material (for the body) and soft material (for the restoration element) into a single functional assembly. This allows the device to simultaneously exhibit both high strength for secure engagement and high flexibility for easy operation, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Strength
If the snap-fitting element is made with high strength material, then the engagement is secure, but the element becomes fragile after repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fitting element (12) is separated from the restoration element (13), with the snap-fitting element being part of the hard body structure. This segmentation allows the snap-fitting element to maintain secure engagement strength while the restoration element handles the repeated deformation, distributing the mechanical stress and preventing fatigue in the engagement components.
Solution Approach 2:
The restoration element acts as an intermediary that absorbs the repeated mechanical stress through its elastic deformation. This protects the snap-fitting element and body from fatigue by mediating the force transmission, allowing the engagement components to remain strong and reliable over repeated use.
3Device complexity
If the restoration element is integrally formed with the body, then the structure is simplified, but the material must be hard enough to engage the belt which reduces flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The restoration element (13) is separated from the body (11) as distinct components. This segmentation allows the body to be made of hard material for structural integrity and engagement, while the restoration element can be made of soft, flexible material for easy operation. The separation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to have optimized material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter (hardness/softness) by using different materials for the body and restoration element. The body uses hard material for strength while the restoration element uses soft material for flexibility. This parameter change allows both structural integrity and ease of operation to be achieved simultaneously.
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
Enables swift and secure belt adjustment with minimal strength required, preventing material fatigue and breakage, ensuring consistent engagement and extended longevity of the device.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic portion 33 is made of a material which is softer than that of the first portion 31... The elastic coefficient of the elastic portion 33 is generally smaller than that of the first portion 31... the elastic portion 33 in relation to the first portion 31 possesses better flexibility
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
A buckling device (3) for fastening a belt (6) is provided. The buckling device comprises a first portion (31), a second portion (32) and an elastic portion (33). The elastic portion is made of a material with a shore hardness substantially between A10 and A95. The elastic portion contacts the first portion and the second portion, so that the second portion engages with the belt and the belt is fastened.