Animal restraining device latching hook radial engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing animal holding devices with latching devices face issues of undesired loosening of the locking connection and limited usability due to the latching hook protruding into the winding space, which can lead to the latching hook being bent and slipping out of the receptacle, and restrict the use of belts as flexible line elements.

Innovation Solution

The locking hook engages partially radially from the outside inwards into the receptacle, with a radially inward-pointing indentation on the outer peripheral surface to secure the connection, allowing the wound strand element to press the latching hook inward, and a design that requires the hook to be bent radially from the inside to the outside to release, ensuring a secure snap-in connection and accommodating belts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the latching hook protrudes into the winding space to establish a latching connection, then the cover can be secured to the roll, but the latching hook may be bent and slip out of the receptacle, causing undesired loosening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking connection stabilityVSAvoidlatching hook deformation and slipping
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The latching hook is designed to engage radially from the outside inwards rather than protruding into the winding space from the inside. This inverted engagement direction allows the hook to be secured by the wound strand element pressing it radially inwards, preventing deformation and slipping while maintaining reliable locking connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The design anticipates the harmful effect of the strand element pressing on the latching hook by pre-configuring the hook to engage radially from the outside inwards. This preliminary design feature counteracts the potential deformation and slipping before they can occur, ensuring the hook remains securely engaged during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If the latching hook protrudes into the changing space, then the latching connection can be established, but the usable width of the changing space is limited, preventing use of belts as flexible line elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelatching connectionVSAvoidflexible line element compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the engagement direction to radially from the outside inwards, the latching hook no longer protrudes into the winding space. This allows the changing space to accommodate wider flexible line elements like belts without interference, while the hook remains securely engaged through radial pressing action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the latching hook engages radially from the inside outwards, then the connection can be established, but the connection may loosen undesirably during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelatching connection establishmentVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latching hook engages radially from the outside inwards, opposite to the conventional inside-outwards direction. This inverted engagement allows the wound strand element to press the hook radially inwards, creating a positive locking action that prevents loosening while maintaining ease of operation through simple radial pressing motion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2756750B1Animal restraining device with a latching device for securing a cover to a roller
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 FLEXI BOGDAHN TECHN
  • EP2756750B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2756750B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2756750B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The detent device comprises engagement hooks that are provided for enabling a detent connection of a lid (10) with a roller (11). A detent retainer is provided for latching the roller. The engagement hooks are partly engaged with the detent retainer radially from outside to inside. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) roll device for rolling and unrolling roller; and (2) animal holder device.