Hinged Clasp With Segmented Anchoring For Secure Bag Closure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers, such as bags and leather articles, with clasps suffer from reliability and ease of use issues, often being too large and complex to manufacture economically.
Innovation Solution
A clasp design featuring an anchoring portion, a wide portion, and an intermediate connection portion with hinged elements that allow for compact, extended, and closing positions, ensuring secure closure without being overly large, and can be manufactured simply and economically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clasp is designed to be secure and reliable, then closure reliability is improved, but the clasp size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clasp is divided into distinct functional segments: an anchoring portion for secure attachment, an intermediate connection portion with hinged elements for controlled movement, and a wide portion for engagement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving reliable closure without unnecessary overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clasp incorporates hinged elements that enable dynamic movement between compact, extended, and closing positions. This dynamic capability allows the clasp to adapt during operation - remaining compact during use, extending for engagement, and securing in the closing position - thereby achieving reliability through controlled motion rather than static complexity.
2Reliability
If a clasp is designed to be secure and reliable, then closure reliability is improved, but the clasp size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged elements allow the clasp to fold into a compact configuration where components nest together when not in use. The intermediate connection portion enables the wide portion to be positioned close to the anchoring portion in the compact state, significantly reducing the overall volume occupied by the clasp while maintaining full functionality when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic hinged mechanism allows the clasp to transition between a compact stored state and an extended engaged state. This dynamic capability enables the clasp to achieve secure closure reliability only when needed, while minimizing volume during normal use when the container is closed or open without the clasp engaged.
3Ease of manufacture
If a clasp design is simplified for easy manufacturing, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but closure reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clasp is designed with clearly defined segmented portions (anchoring, intermediate connection, and wide portions) that can be manufactured separately using standard fabrication processes and then assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be optimized independently while ensuring reliable assembly through the hinged connection elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate connection portion with hinged elements serves as a mediator between the anchoring and wide portions. This intermediary structure provides a simple yet effective mechanical connection that ensures reliable force transmission and secure engagement without requiring complex manufacturing processes, bridging the gap between manufacturing simplicity and closure reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a pair of flaps, which can be brought close to one another, one of the flaps having a buttonhole; and a clasp designed to get through the buttonhole. The clasp includes an anchoring portion, which is fixed to the other one of the flaps; a wide portion, which is designed to prevent the clasp from moving apart from the buttonhole; and an intermediate connection portion, connected, through a pair of hinges, to the anchoring portion and to the wide portion, respectively. The wide portion and the anchoring portion are configured to rotate relative to the intermediate portion, so that the clasp is able to assume a plurality of operating conditions. The buttonhole is designed to interact with the clasp based on the operating condition assumed by the clasp, allowing the flaps or walls be brought close to one another or preventing them from moving apart.