Magnetic Buckle with Guide Protrusions for One-Handed Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional buckles require both hands to fasten and unfasten, and they are not stable against external contact or pressure, making them inconvenient and unsafe for use in situations like climbing or trekking.
Innovation Solution
A buckle design featuring a plug member with a shaft and a socket member with magnets, guide protrusions, and retaining grooves that allow for one-handed operation and stable fastening, using magnetic forces to couple and decouple the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional buckle with lock arms and chamber is used, then the fastening function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and requires two hands to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical lock arm system with a magnetic coupling system. Magnets are embedded in the plug member and socket member, creating automatic magnetic attraction when brought close together, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of lock arms and enabling one-handed operation while simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic buckle system performs the fastening action automatically through magnetic attraction when the plug and socket are brought close together. The user simply needs to approach the components, and the magnetic force automatically couples them without requiring manual engagement of locking mechanisms, enabling self-service operation.
2Ease of operation
If magnetic force is used to couple plug member and socket member, then one-handed operation is enabled, but the fastening becomes unstable against external contact or pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coupling mechanism into two functional segments: magnetic attraction for automatic coupling and guide protrusions with retaining grooves for mechanical retention. The guide protrusions extend from the plug member and fit into corresponding grooves on the socket member, providing mechanical interlocking that prevents separation under external pressure while maintaining the simplicity of the magnetic coupling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide protrusions and retaining grooves act as intermediary mechanical elements between the magnetic plug member and socket member. These intermediaries provide the necessary mechanical retention and stability, bridging the gap between the simple magnetic coupling and the requirement for stable fastening under external forces.
3Manufacturing precision
If both hands are required to fasten the buckle, then precise coupling can be achieved, but the user must put down things held in hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the two-handed mechanical manipulation system with a magnetic field-based automatic coupling system. The magnetic attraction provides sufficient holding force to maintain precise alignment and coupling without requiring two hands for manipulation, allowing users to fasten the buckle while holding other items.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system automatically achieves precise alignment and coupling when the plug and socket are brought close together. The magnetic attraction self-aligns the components and maintains the coupling without requiring manual adjustment or two-handed operation, enabling convenient one-handed fastening while carrying items.
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
Enables convenient one-handed operation and maintains a stable fastened state due to magnetic coupling and guided alignment, reducing the complexity of the structure and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
A buckle design featuring a plug member with a shaft and a socket member with magnets, guide protrusions, and retaining grooves that allow for one-handed operation and stable fastening, using magnetic forces to couple and decouple the components.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a buckle including a plug member and a socket member. The plug member includes a shaft part protruding from one side of a first body, a first magnet inserted into the shaft part, a connection recess formed on the outer face of the shaft part, and at least one guide protrusion formed on the inner wall of the connection recess. The socket member includes a connection protrusion formed on one side of a second body to be inserted into the connection recess, a coupling recess formed in the middle of the connection protrusion so that the shaft part is inserted into the coupling recess, a second magnet inserted into the coupling recess, and at least one guide groove formed in the outer surface of the connection protrusion to guide the guide protrusion.