Symmetrical Belt Buckle Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing belt buckle designs are complex and difficult to lock and unlock, posing a risk of accidental operation and increased production costs due to non-symmetrical and non-identical components.

Innovation Solution

A belt buckle arrangement featuring identical or symmetrical first and second belt buckles with matching locking devices and hooks, allowing for a simple and secure connection that requires simultaneous actuation of both locking devices for detachment, and enabling cost-effective production by using identical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex locking mechanisms are used to prevent unintentional opening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unintentional openingVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device features an asymmetrical design where the locking direction is enabled while the unlocking direction is blocked by a blocking element. This asymmetry prevents unintentional opening while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

A blocking element is introduced as an intermediary component that prevents the locking element from disengaging in the unlocking direction. This mediator ensures reliable prevention of unintentional opening without requiring a complex multi-component locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex locking mechanisms are used to ensure secure connection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in locking and unlocking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure connectionVSAvoidlocking and unlocking operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism uses asymmetrical geometry where the locking movement is freely enabled while the unlocking movement is blocked. This allows secure connection through simple insertion without requiring complex operational steps, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If non-identical and non-symmetrical components are used for locking, then reliability may be improved through differentiated design, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased production complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionalityVSAvoidproduction cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed with universal symmetry so that identical components can be used for both locking and unlocking functions. This symmetrical design allows a single component type to perform multiple functions, significantly simplifying manufacturing and reducing production costs while maintaining reliable locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs homogeneous materials and identical symmetrical components throughout the locking mechanism. This homogeneity simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the variety of parts that need to be produced, assembled, and quality-checked, thereby improving ease of manufacture while preserving locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP3033961B1Belt buckle assembly
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 SKYLOTEC GMBH
  • EP3033961B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3033961B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3033961B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a belt buckle arrangement comprising a first belt buckle (1) and a second belt buckle (2) connectable to the first belt buckle (1), wherein the first belt buckle (1) has a first locking device (5) and a first locking hook (6), and the second belt buckle (2) has a second locking device (7) and a second locking hook (8), the first locking device (5) and the second locking device (7) being configured such that when the first belt buckle (1) is connected to the second belt buckle (2), the first locking device (5) locks the second locking hook (8) and the second locking device (7) locks the first locking hook (6), so that the first belt buckle (1) is connected to the second belt buckle (2).and the first locking device (5) and/or the second locking hook (8) are designed to be identical and/or symmetrical, in particular point-symmetrical, to the second locking device (7) and/or the first locking hook (6) at least with respect to the locking mechanism.