Spring-Pin Belt Buckle Structure for High-Load Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable strap buckles fail to withstand high loads and pressures due to the malleability of their central cross bars, leading to durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A buckle design with removable ends featuring spring-loaded locking pins and a fully enclosed grease well, along with adjustable loop ends and recessed slots, uses stronger materials like 17-4 stainless steel for the central bar, and incorporates tabs for alignment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the central cross bar is made of malleable material to allow deformation and straightening for fitting, then the buckle is easier to manufacture and assemble, but the durability and load-bearing capacity deteriorate under continued use
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle is divided into separate components: a rigid central bar and a separate loop end with a cavity. The rigid bar fits into the cavity without requiring deformation, eliminating the need for malleable materials while maintaining ease of assembly through simple insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the central bar from malleable to rigid material (such as rigid plastic or metal). This parameter change allows the bar to maintain its shape and bear loads without deformation, thereby improving durability while still allowing for easy assembly through the fitting mechanism.
2Strength
If the central cross bar is made rigid to withstand higher loads, then the load-bearing capacity improves, but the ease of assembly deteriorates as it can no longer be deformed to fit
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle structure is segmented into a rigid central bar component and a separate loop end component with a receiving cavity. This segmentation allows the bar to be rigid for strength while assembly is simplified to a straightforward insertion process, eliminating the need for deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop end is pre-formed with a cavity sized and shaped to receive the rigid central bar. This preliminary preparation of the receiving structure eliminates the need to deform the bar during assembly, allowing rigid materials to be used while maintaining ease of assembly.
3Reliability
If the buckle components are made with tighter tolerances to improve stability under load, then the reliability improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The loop end cavity is pre-formed with specific dimensional characteristics that accommodate the rigid bar. This preliminary preparation establishes the geometric relationship between components, allowing for stable load-bearing performance with reasonable manufacturing tolerances rather than requiring extremely tight tolerances on all surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies precise dimensional control locally at the critical interface between the rigid bar and the cavity, while other portions of the components can have more relaxed tolerances. This localized precision approach achieves the required stability under load without demanding high precision across the entire manufacturing process.
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
Enhances load capacity and durability by minimizing deformation, preventing corrosion, and ensuring stable fastening under increased loads.
Implementation Method 1
one end comprises two opposing locking pins coupled together by a spring. The spring is encased within a fully enclosed grease well or cavity and the pins are operable to move in a lateral direction in and out of the grease well.
Implementation Method 2
The spring is encased within a fully enclosed grease well or cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle according to the present invention has two opposing ends that are removably attached to each other using a locking system. On one end of the buckle, the locking system includes two opposing locking pins coupled to a spring that is fully enclosed and protected from external elements. On the other end, corresponding rivets or pin casings with plungers are operable to receive the locking pins and lock the two ends together or push the pins out of the casings to release the buckle. The buckle may also include a plug that is removably attached to the adjustable loop end and allows the central bar of the adjustable loop end to be removed without deforming the central bar. Alternatively, each end of the buckle may include self-aligning tabs that guide the ends of the buckle for fastening and aid in the stability of the buckle.