Locking Buckle Assembly Angular Offset Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckle mechanisms for bags and straps require manual intervention for engagement and disengagement, lacking an automatic or intuitive method to maintain the strap in a fixed position without accidental separation, especially under load.
Innovation Solution
A locking buckle assembly with a strap plate, base part, and locking mechanism that aligns and secures the strap plate with the base part through a specific angular arrangement, utilizing a locking peg and spring mechanism to maintain the strap in a fixed position, requiring intentional action to disengage, and featuring a ramped surface to facilitate alignment and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual buckle mechanism is used, then the user can control engagement and disengagement, but the user must manually intervene to prevent accidental separation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically engages when the strap plate is inserted into the base part, without requiring manual operation. The spring-loaded locking peg automatically secures the strap plate in the engaged position, providing self-service functionality that prevents accidental separation while eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to preemptively counteract accidental separation forces. The locking peg protrudes into a locking hole in the strap plate before any separation can occur, creating a preliminary protective action that prevents harmful separation rather than reacting to it after it happens
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental separation, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: a locking peg, a spring, and a locking hole. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The locking peg provides the locking function, the spring provides the biasing force, and the locking hole provides the engagement point, creating a reliable system without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element between the locking peg and the strap plate. It provides the necessary biasing force to maintain engagement without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple components. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall mechanism while achieving reliable locking under various load conditions
3Manufacturing precision
If the buckle requires alignment for engagement, then manufacturing precision can be reduced, but time is lost during engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The strap plate opening and lock plate are designed with predetermined angular relationships and geometric features that guide alignment before engagement. The ramped surface on the lock plate and corresponding features on the strap plate create a self-aligning mechanism that prepares the components for engagement, reducing the time required during actual use while maintaining manufacturability
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 assembly provides a secure and intuitive locking mechanism that prevents accidental separation, maintaining the strap in a fixed position under load, with audible and visual feedback confirming the locked state, enhancing user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to bias the release button and the locking peg into, respectively, a button opening and a peg receiving opening defined in the front plate
Data Source
AI summary
A locking buckle assembly for coupling and decoupling a web strap includes a strap plate and a base part. The base part includes a front plate and a rear cover. A locking mechanism including a release button and a locking peg is positioned between the front plate and the rear cover. The release button and the locking peg are biased by a spring through respective openings in the front plate. A lock plate is provided on a surface of the front plate. Respective longitudinal axes of the lock plate and the front plate are angularly offset from each other. The strap plate includes an opening sized to receive the lock plate and couples to the base part when the lock plate captures the strap plate and the longitudinal axes of the strap plate and the base part are aligned. In that orientation, the locking peg couples to the strap plate and the strap plate and the base part are only decoupled by pressing of the release button in opposition to the urging of the spring.