Coupling Member with Elastic Locking for Wearable Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining a stable wear state while allowing easy attachment and detachment of coupling members, which affects user personalization and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A coupling member design that includes a band member, a slide member, and a locking member, allowing for secure attachment to the housing while enabling easy release and replacement, using a mechanism with a button to manipulate the locking state and a bar with elastic properties for secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coupling member is made to be easily attached/detached, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the worn state deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidstability of worn state

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member employs a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The locking member can be easily manipulated to change states, allowing simple attachment/detachment operations while maintaining stable locked state when engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic bar automatically engages with the housing when the coupling member is attached, providing self-locking functionality. The elastic deformation of the bar creates automatic engagement without requiring additional fastening operations, ensuring both ease of attachment and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If the coupling member is rigidly mounted on the housing, then the stability of the worn state is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of worn stateVSAvoidease of replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member is divided into separable components including the band member, locking member, and elastic bar that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the coupling member to be rigidly mounted when needed while enabling easy separation and replacement through simple manipulation of individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism transitions between rigid locked state and separable unlocked state. The elastic bar provides rigid engagement during normal wear, but can be easily disengaged by manipulating the locking member, allowing replacement without complex tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the coupling member is made to be easily replaced, then the adaptability is improved, but the stability of the worn state deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacement for personalizationVSAvoidstability of worn state

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member uses a dynamic locking system that can be easily activated or deactivated. The locking member allows users to quickly transition between wearing and replacement states, enabling easy personalization while ensuring stable wear when the locking mechanism is engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic bar provides automatic engagement and self-locking functionality, ensuring stable worn state without requiring complex fastening procedures. This self-service mechanism allows users to easily replace coupling members for personalization while maintaining reliability during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 secure and stable wear of electronic devices while allowing users to easily replace and personalize the coupling members, maintaining both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

a bar with elastic properties for secure engagement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10168736B2Coupling member and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A coupling member that is attachable to/detachable from a housing of an electronic device while making the housing wearable on a user's body, and an electronic device including the coupling member is provided. The electronic device includes a band member that is configured to come in contact with a user's body portion, a slide member that is mounted on the band member, and is bound to a portion of the housing in a state where the coupling member is mounted on the housing, an opening that is formed in the slide member, a locking member that is disposed on the band member, and a locking protrusion that is formed on a locking member. The locking protrusion appears to the outside of the slide member through the opening according to the reciprocating of the locking member, and the coupling member is bound to the housing.