Dual Locking Buckle Assembly Single-Hand Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckle assemblies for attaching straps require complex mechanisms that often necessitate two hands to lock and can inadvertently release under sudden pressure, and they have protruding parts that are prone to wear and breakage.
Innovation Solution
A dual locking buckle assembly with a base portion and a locking portion that can be easily connected using a single-hand operation, featuring a sliding mechanism for initial locking and protrusions for secondary locking, preventing inadvertent disengagement, and designed to reduce wear by minimizing protruding parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional protrusions are used to lock the locking port to the main body, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and number of protruding parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking port and main body into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate protrusions to connect them. The locking mechanism uses the relative movement between the integrated parts themselves to achieve secure locking, reducing the number of discrete components while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated locking mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the locking action, prevents inadvertent separation, and eliminates the need for additional protruding parts. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by achieving reliability without increasing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism uses pivoting parts, then the buckle can be released, but two hands are required for operation reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated locking mechanism is designed to be released by the natural movement of the strap during normal use. The strap's tension and movement automatically trigger the release mechanism, eliminating the need for manual two-handed operation and reducing the time required for release.
3Reliability
If protruding parts are minimized, then wear and breakage are reduced improving reliability, but the locking mechanism becomes simpler potentially reducing locking strength
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the locking port and main body into an integrated structure, the patent eliminates multiple protruding parts that would be prone to wear and breakage. The locking strength is maintained through the geometric relationship and relative movement between the integrated parts rather than relying on multiple discrete protrusions.
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle assembly has a base portion with a strap retaining bar and an inner opening disposed between the side walls, and a locking portion having a strap retaining bar and a protrusion extending outwardly from each of the side walls. The length of the locking portion is greater than the length of the opening, and the width of the opening is wider than the width of the locking portion. The side walls of the base portion each have a slot arranged to accommodate the protrusions on the locking portion when the locking portion is placed on the base portion. The locking portion is connected to the base portion by sliding the locking portion through the opening from the bottom side to the top side of the base portion, aligning the locking portion to extend parallel to the base portion, and snapping the protrusions into the slots.