Abrasion-Resistant Strap With Protective Envelope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment devices for mountain sports, such as quickdraws, experience rapid wear and abrasion when used on abrasive surfaces, leading to reduced mechanical strength and safety concerns due to loose or torn strap portions.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a strap with reinforced loops and a one-piece protective envelope that covers the strap, providing enhanced abrasion resistance and mechanical strength, with perforated side walls and mechanical reinforcement for improved durability and ease of inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a strap is used to connect two connectors, then the device allows flexible connection and passage of connectors, but the strap experiences rapid wear and abrasion on abrasive surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
A protective envelope made of abrasion-resistant material is introduced as an intermediary between the strap and the external environment. The envelope covers the strap's outer surface, allowing the strap to maintain its flexibility and connector passage capability while the envelope absorbs abrasion from contact with abrasive surfaces, thereby protecting the strap and extending its service life
2Reliability
If the strap mechanical strength is increased to ensure safety, then user safety is improved, but the device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing the strap's mechanical properties throughout, the protective envelope is applied locally to the outer surface of the strap where abrasion occurs. This allows the strap to maintain its original lightweight and simple construction while the envelope provides enhanced protection, avoiding the need to increase the overall mechanical strength and complexity of the entire strap structure
3Duration of action of moving object
If a protective envelope is added to reduce abrasion, then service life is extended, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective envelope is designed as a thin-walled flexible structure that can be molded in one piece to match the contour of the strap. This thin-film approach provides adequate abrasion protection while minimizing material usage and manufacturing complexity, allowing the envelope to be produced through standard molding processes without requiring complex assembly steps
4Reliability
If the protective envelope completely covers the strap, then abrasion protection is maximized, but connector passage and inspection become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protective envelope is segmented to include openings at the locations where connectors need to pass through. These openings are positioned and sized to allow smooth connector passage while the envelope covers and protects the strap in all other areas. The segmentation strategy balances protection needs with operational requirements, maintaining ease of connector insertion and removal
5Loss of information
If perforated side walls are added for inspection, then visibility is improved, but structural strength and abrasion resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls of the protective envelope are designed with a porous or perforated structure that allows light transmission for inspection purposes. The porous design is optimized to provide sufficient visibility while maintaining adequate structural strength and abrasion resistance, as the porous structure distributes stress and prevents weak points that would occur with large solid openings
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening device (1) for two mechanical connectors (4, 5) comprising a strap (2) and a protective cover (3). The strap (2) has first and second ends that are opposite and folded to define first and second loops (6, 7) separated by a central portion (8) to which the first and second ends are attached. Each loop (6, 7) is configured to allow the passage of a connector (4, 5). The protective cover (3) has main walls (3a) and side walls (3b) that are permanently connected, the main walls (3a) covering the main faces (2a) of the strap (2), and the side walls (3b) covering the side faces (2b) of the central portion (8), so as to define a first opening (9) around the first loop (6), and a second opening (10) around the second loop (7).Each opening (9, 10) is configured to allow the passage of a connector (4, 5), at least one of the openings (9, 10) being configured to allow the insertion of the strap (2) into the protective cover (3).