Adjustable Breakaway Buckle for Pet Collars

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pet collars do not comfortably accommodate animals of different neck sizes, and there is a risk of unintended injury due to the collar not breaking away when excessive force is applied.

Innovation Solution

A breakaway buckle device for pet collars, comprising a first buckle portion, a second buckle portion, and a coupling mechanism that can be adjusted to set a breakaway force. When this force is exceeded, the buckle portions break away, releasing the collar and reducing the risk of injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed breakaway force is used in the buckle device, then the collar can prevent injury for animals of one neck size, but it cannot comfortably accommodate animals of different neck sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different neck sizesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable coupling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is designed to be adjustable, allowing the breakaway force to be dynamically changed based on the animal's neck size. The mechanism includes multiple engagement positions that can be selectively activated, enabling the same buckle device to adapt to different animals and neck sizes while maintaining appropriate breakaway forces for each case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the collar is made secure and adjustable, then it can accommodate different neck sizes, but it may cause unintended injury (choking) when excessive force is applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of collar fitVSAvoidrisk of choking injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buckle device is pre-configured with multiple engagement positions corresponding to different breakaway forces. Before use, the appropriate engagement position is selected and locked based on the animal's neck size, ensuring that the collar provides secure fit while maintaining a predetermined safe breakaway force to prevent choking injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The breakaway force parameter of the coupling mechanism can be changed by adjusting the engagement position. Different engagement positions correspond to different breakaway forces, allowing the collar to be customized for each animal while ensuring that even the strongest setting includes a safety release mechanism to prevent choking injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the coupling mechanism provides discrete step adjustments, then it is easier to manufacture and operate, but it cannot provide infinite breakaway force adjustments for optimal fit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturability of coupling mechanismVSAvoidprecision of breakaway force adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing continuous infinite adjustment, the mechanism provides a sufficient number of discrete engagement positions (more than traditional single-position buckles) that cover the full range of needed breakaway forces. This partial adjustment approach achieves optimal fit for different animals while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12201086B2Breakaway buckle device for a pet collar

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 PETS AT HOME ASIA LTD

AI summary

A breakaway buckle device for a pet collar. The breakaway buckle device includes a first buckle portion, a second buckle portion, and a coupling mechanism arranged to releasably couple the first buckle portion with the second buckle portion. The coupling mechanism can be manipulated to adjust a breakaway force required for the first buckle portion to break relatively away from the second buckle portion.