Side-release buckle assembly with central opening for alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side-release buckle assemblies are bulky, prone to misalignment, and can become clogged with debris, leading to connection issues and jamming.
Innovation Solution
The buckle assembly features a female connection member with a central opening for alignment monitoring and a guide channel with opposed locking arms and pivotal release buttons, ensuring proper alignment and connection while allowing debris to pass through, and includes a lightweight, airy frame-style configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid shroud covers the connection interface, then the buckle assembly appears complete and protected, but the assembly becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solid shroud with a thin, transparent film window that allows visual inspection of the connection interface while maintaining protection. This thin film provides the necessary coverage without adding significant weight or bulk to the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates open spaces and gaps in the buckle structure that allow debris to pass through while maintaining structural integrity. These openings reduce material usage and weight while still providing functional protection for the connection interface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a solid outer surface covers the connection interface, then the buckle assembly is protected, but it becomes bulky and appears heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin transparent films instead of solid outer surfaces, allowing the structure to remain compact while providing necessary protection. The films conform to the buckle shape without adding bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer surface is segmented into multiple sections with strategic openings rather than being a continuous solid surface. This segmentation allows debris to pass through while maintaining protection for critical components, reducing overall bulk.
3Reliability
If the male connection member is urged into the female connection member, then proper connection is achieved, but misalignment and jamming can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide beams as intermediary elements that facilitate proper alignment between the male and female connection members during the urging motion. These guides mediate the connection process, preventing misalignment and jamming while ensuring reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide beams and alignment features perform preliminary alignment actions before the actual connection occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the male member is urged into the female member, proper alignment is already established, preventing jamming.
4Reliability
If the female connection member has a solid structure, then connection security is maintained, but debris can become trapped causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The female connection member incorporates strategic openings and gaps that allow debris to pass through rather than become trapped. These openings maintain connection security by positioning critical connection points away from debris-prone areas while preventing clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The design extracts or removes solid material from the female connection member in specific areas to create debris egress paths. This extraction maintains structural integrity for connection security while eliminating trapping zones that would cause clogging.
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle assembly may include a first connection member, and a second connection member configured to receive at least a portion of the first connection member in order to removably connect the first connection member to the second connection member. The second connection member includes an outer frame defining a central opening that is configured to allow monitoring of alignment and connection between the first and second connection members.