Composite Buckle Hook Mechanism for Corrosion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckles for garments and shoes face issues with corrosion, rust, and high costs when made of metal, and safety concerns due to conductive properties, while plastic buckles lack strength and resistance, requiring larger dimensions and sometimes metal hooks for reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
A joining element with a buckle and hook design featuring a rectilinear and lying portion, where the hook's arms open wide to constrain and rotate on the buckle, allowing for simpler strap insertion and using composite materials like polyamide and fiberglass to avoid metal issues, with a rivet for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal or metal alloy buckles are used, then strength and solidity in coupling are improved, but corrosion and rust occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a plastic buckle body with metal reinforcement elements (metal insert or metal plate) fixed to the buckle. This composite structure provides the strength and solidity of metal while avoiding direct exposure of metal to corrosive environments, thus preventing corrosion and rust while maintaining coupling strength.
2Reliability
If stainless steel, titanium or noble metals are used for buckles, then corrosion proofing is improved, but costs become high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a plastic buckle body as the main component, which is inexpensive to manufacture. The plastic material provides sufficient durability for the application while being far cheaper than stainless steel, titanium, or noble metals. The design accepts that the buckle may have a limited service life but compensates through the functional metal reinforcement elements.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining inexpensive plastic with small amounts of metal reinforcement, the patent achieves a cost-effective solution that provides corrosion resistance without requiring expensive corrosion-proof metals for the entire buckle structure.
3Strength
If metal buckles are used, then strength is improved, but conductive properties cause safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the metal material from the main buckle body and uses it only as a reinforcement element or insert. The primary buckle structure is made of non-conductive plastic, removing the harmful conductive properties from the main component while retaining necessary mechanical strength through the metal reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of plastic and metal allows the non-conductive plastic to form the main body, eliminating harmful conductive properties, while metal reinforcement provides the necessary strength in a controlled, localized manner.
4Reliability
If plastic buckles are used, then corrosion resistance is improved, but strength and resistance to wear and tear deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite buckle combining plastic and metal elements, where the plastic provides corrosion resistance and the metal reinforcement provides enhanced strength and wear resistance. This synergistic combination allows the buckle to achieve both corrosion resistance and mechanical strength that neither material could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal reinforcement is applied locally at critical stress points or areas requiring enhanced strength, rather than making the entire buckle from metal. This localized reinforcement provides necessary strength and wear resistance while maintaining the corrosion-resistant plastic body.
5Strength
If plastic buckles are dimensioned larger, then strength is improved, but dimensions become too big for small applications
Solution Approach 1:
The metal reinforcement elements provide disproportionate strength enhancement relative to their size. By incorporating metal inserts or plates into the plastic buckle, the patent achieves metal-level strength in a much smaller, more compact configuration, allowing the buckle to be small enough for applications like accident prevention shoes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Joining element (10) to be fixed preferably on garments and/or shoes and comprising a buckle (12) and a hook (14) to block in a wished position a strap through which the hook (14) passes. The hook (14) comprises a tip (44, 46) from which a first arm (40) and a second arm (42) extend and open wide. Each arm is provided with grasping means (48) which embrace the ends of a portion of the buckle so as to constrain the hook to the buckle with the possibility for the hook to rotate and to have the hook tip beat on a portion of the buckle itself.