Multi-function buckle assembly with dual retention mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckle assemblies are limited in functionality as they only function with a specific corresponding male buckle element, lacking the ability to interchangeably retain both a male buckle body and a retainer ring.
Innovation Solution
A female buckle body design featuring a receptacle for the male buckle extension and a slot for a retainer ring, with pivotally supported lever bodies that include locking elements and extensions to selectively retain either component by switching between blocking and released positions, allowing dual functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a female buckle body is designed with a receptacle for male buckle extension, then it can securely retain the male buckle body, but it cannot retain a retainer ring
Solution Approach 1:
The female buckle body is designed with dual functionality: it includes a receptacle for receiving male buckle extensions and a slot for receiving retainer rings. The lever body with its locking element and locking extension can selectively engage with either the male buckle extension or the retainer ring, allowing a single component to perform multiple retention functions without requiring separate buckle bodies for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The female buckle body is segmented into distinct functional zones: a receptacle portion for male buckle extensions and a slot portion for retainer rings. The lever body is further segmented with a locking element that engages the male buckle extension and a locking extension that engages the retainer ring, allowing independent control of each retention function while maintaining a unified structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single female buckle body is designed to retain both male buckle body and retainer ring, then versatility is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element and locking extension are merged into a single lever body that pivotally connects to the female buckle body. This unified lever mechanism simultaneously controls both the receptacle retention (via locking element engagement with male buckle extension) and the slot retention (via locking extension engagement with retainer ring), achieving dual functionality through a single integrated action rather than requiring separate mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the locking extension protrudes across the slot in blocking position, then retainer ring removal is prevented, but it may interfere with male buckle insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The lever body is designed to be movable between blocking and released positions. When in the blocking position, the locking extension protrudes across the slot to prevent retainer ring removal. When in the released position, the locking extension retracts to allow easy insertion of either the male buckle extension or the retainer ring. This dynamic positioning eliminates interference during insertion while maintaining secure retention when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle assembly includes a female buckle body that interchangeably mates with either one of a male buckle body or a retainer ring defining a leading bar. The female buckle body has a receptacle to receive an extension portion of the male buckle body slidable therein. A biased lever body is pivotally supported on the female buckle body for cooperating with a catch on the male buckle body between a blocking position retaining the extension portion in the receptacle and a released position allowing removal of the extension portion. The female buckle body also has a slot aligned with the receptacle to receive the leading bar of the retainer ring therein so that the lever body can also selectively retain the retainer ring mated with the female buckle body.