Self-Closing Buckle Mechanism for Wearable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional buckle mechanisms for securing portable electronic devices often fail to maintain a closed position without strap tension, leading to potential device loss or disconnection during strenuous activities.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing buckle mechanism featuring a tang and buckle loop with a biasing member, such as a spring bar or elastic insert member, that maintains engagement by providing a restoring force to keep the tang in the closed position, even when strap tension is absent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional buckle mechanism is used without a biasing member, then the device can be easily opened when needed, but the buckle cannot maintain a closed position without strap tension, leading to potential device loss
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member automatically maintains the tang in the closed position without requiring continuous user intervention or external strap tension. The spring-loaded mechanism self-regulates to keep the buckle secured, only requiring user action when intentionally opening is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The buckle mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: the tang for engagement, the biasing member for maintaining closed position, and the release mechanism for opening. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If strap tension is applied to hold the buckle closed, then the buckle remains secure, but the mechanism fails when strap tension is released, allowing unintended opening
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member acts as a counterforce mechanism that opposes the tendency of the tang to move away from the closed position. It provides a continuous restoring force that balances any forces trying to open the buckle, eliminating dependency on strap tension for maintaining the closed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is pre-loaded during assembly to automatically exert a closing force on the tang. This preliminary action ensures the buckle starts in a secured state and maintains closure without requiring external forces during normal operation.
3Reliability
If a biasing member is added to maintain closed position, then the buckle remains secure without strap tension, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is integrated with the existing tang and buckle loop structure rather than being a completely separate system. The spring-loaded mechanism combines the closing force function with the engagement structure, adding minimal components while achieving reliable maintained engagement.
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 self-closing buckle mechanism securely attaches wearable devices to the user, reducing the risk of device loss and facilitating easy attachment and detachment, while maintaining engagement without relying on continuous strap tension.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member, spring, or other compliant element may be used to bias the tang toward the notch or mating feature of the buckle loop
Implementation Method 2
A self-closing buckle mechanism featuring a tang and buckle loop with a biasing member, such as a spring bar or elastic insert member
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to a wearable device including first and second band straps attached to a device body. A buckle mechanism is configured to attach the first band strap to the second band strap and includes a spring bar attached to an end of the first band strap and a buckle loop engaged to the spring bar. A tang is configured to engage a hole formed in the second band strap to secure the first band strap to the second band strap. The tang defines an aperture that receives the spring bar and is configured to pivot about an offset axis that is offset with respect to an axis of the bar. As the tang is rotated, a restoring force biases the tang toward the buckle loop.