Elastic Clasp with Toggle Lock for Compact Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding clasps with toggle hinges are complex, bulky, and aesthetically unappealing, with multiple parts and mechanisms that complicate production and increase wear, while also requiring additional components for increased deployment, which hampers ease of use and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A folding clasp design featuring a fixed blade, an elastic blade hinged at two pivot points, and a toggle locking mechanism where the elastic blade's tension maximizes at a critical position to securely lock the blades, allowing easy deployment and unlocking with minimal parts and maintaining aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional toggle hinge clasp is used, then the clasp can lock securely, but the structure becomes complex and bulky with multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the toggle element and the positioning means into a single integrated component. The toggle element itself is shaped to engage with the groove while its positioning features are incorporated into the same structure, eliminating the need for separate positioning components and reducing overall part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the locking action through engagement with the groove, provides positioning guidance through its shaped features, and maintains structural integrity as part of the hinge assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Reliability
If positioning means are added to ensure correct toggle element positioning, then locking reliability improves, but the clasp becomes bulkier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning features are merged into the toggle element structure itself rather than being separate components. The toggle element includes integrated positioning features such as shaped engagement surfaces and geometric constraints that guide proper positioning without requiring additional positioning means.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle element is designed with specific local geometric features at critical positions to provide positioning guidance. The shape of the toggle element includes localized engagement surfaces and contours that ensure correct alignment with the groove and hinge components without adding overall bulk.
3Length of moving object
If an additional blade is added to allow greater deployment, then the clasp can open wider, but the number of parts and handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic blade that can dynamically adapt its position and flexibility during operation. The elastic properties allow the blade to deploy smoothly and return to its original position, providing greater deployment range without requiring additional rigid structural components or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic blade utilizes changes in material properties and mechanical parameters to achieve deployment. The elastic modulus and flexibility of the blade material allow it to bend and return, providing a dynamic deployment mechanism that avoids the need for additional parts while achieving greater opening range.
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
The clasp achieves secure and easy locking/unlocking with a single action, is resistant to wear, and maintains a compact, aesthetically pleasing form, suitable for various bracelets with fewer components, ensuring durability and ease of production.
Implementation Method 1
the first movable blade is an elastic blade; in that said articulation is constituted by a first articulation element articulated at the second end of the second folding slat around a third pivot point and by a second articulation element integral with the fixed slat and intended to cooperate with the first hinge element; and in that the first mobile blade and the first and second articulation elements are arranged so that the tensile force on the first mobile blade is maximum when the first and second articulation elements are in a position where they cooperate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The clasp has an elastic mobile blade (2) articulated with respect to a fixed blade (1). A ball and socket joint is provided with male and female articulation elements (6, 7). The mobile blade and the articulation elements are arranged such that the mobile blade is expanded completely to enter into a non-loaded state in which the mobile blade and another mobile blade (3) are unfolded with respect to the fixed blade and released around three pivot points of the blades when the second pivot point is shifted to a side of a line passing through the first and third pivot points.