Elastic Wire Buckle Arms for Stable Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckles face challenges in stability during engagement and ease of release between the male and female members, despite achieving adequate strength and a lightweight structure with a small number of components.
Innovation Solution
A buckle design featuring a male member with concave engaged parts and a female member formed from an elastic metal wire, along with a cover body that includes operating parts to facilitate engagement and disengagement, improves stability and ease of release by allowing elastic deformation to widen or narrow the distance between the arms, enhancing the structural integrity and user operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the female member is formed of one elastic metal wire with bent parts, then the structure is simplified and weight is reduced, but the stability of the inserting piece during engagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and geometric parameters of the metal wire by forming bent parts at specific positions along the arms. These bent parts create elastic deformation zones that allow controlled movement while maintaining overall structural stability during engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The female member is segmented into functional zones: the base portion for structural support, the arms for engagement, and the bent parts for elastic deformation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function while contributing to overall stability
2Ease of manufacture
If the engaging parts are formed by bending metal wire, then the number of components is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the ease of release of engagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the engaging parts through the bent sections, which allow elastic deformation during engagement and disengagement. This dynamic behavior enables easy release by allowing the arms to flex outward when force is applied to the operating parts
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic metal wire structure provides self-service by automatically returning to its original position after deformation. When the operating parts are pressed, the bent parts deform to release engagement, and then spring back to re-engage automatically, reducing the effort needed for operation
3Ease of operation
If the arms are made elastic to allow widening and narrowing, then the ease of engagement is improved, but the strength and rigidity of the structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only specific portions of the arms (the bent parts) elastic, while the base and engaging portions maintain their strength. This localized elasticity allows engagement movement without compromising the overall structural integrity of the female member
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 buckle achieves adequate strength, simplicity, and ease of engagement and disengagement with improved stability and reduced component count, resulting in a lightweight and cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
the pair of arms are provided with a pair of respective engaging parts, integrally formed by bending, and the engaging parts can be engaged/disengaged with the engaged parts of the inserting piece as a distance between the arms are widened/narrowed due to elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A simple light-weighten buckle including a male member having an inserting piece, a female member having an insertion port and a cover body storing the female member therein, wherein the inserting piece has a pair of concave engaged parts, the female member is formed of one elastic metal wire and has a base, a pair of arms that are bent and extend from respective ends of the base, a pair of bent parts provided in the middle of the respective arms, and a pair of engaging parts provided at respective front ends of the pair of arms, and the cover body has a cover main body, an insertion hole the inserting piece, a storage part that communicates with the insertion hole and stores the female member therein, and operating parts that can press the pair of respective bent parts inward from the outside of the cover body.