Ball Chain Connector with Resilient Wall and Ball-Shaped Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball chain connectors are complex, expensive, and unreliable due to multi-part designs, requiring special installation and having inconsistent breakaway forces, which can be hazardous for children and infants.
Innovation Solution
A ball chain connector with a ball-shaped connector that fits into a side opening of a resiliently deflected wall, allowing easy assembly and consistent breakaway forces, minimizing complexity and cost while maintaining chain flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If multi-part connectors are used to allow ball chain ends to break apart, then safety for children and infants is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate parts: a first part attached to one ball chain end and a second part attached to the other ball chain end. These parts can separate under excessive load to prevent entanglement hazards, while normally maintaining connection. This segmentation enables the safety function while keeping each individual part relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A ball-shaped connector element serves as an intermediary between the first and second parts. This ball-shaped element engages with a resilient cavity in the second part, providing a simple mechanical interface that allows for controlled separation. The ball-shaped intermediary simplifies the connection mechanism compared to more complex multi-component systems.
2Reliability
If multi-part connectors with special attachment steps are used, then breakaway functionality is achieved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient cavity in the second part automatically engages with the ball-shaped connector through elastic deformation. When the ball-shaped connector is inserted, the resilient walls deflect outward to receive it and then return to their original position, securing the connection without requiring additional fastening steps. This self-service mechanism simplifies assembly while ensuring reliable breakaway functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient cavity utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter change mechanism. The resilient walls can deflect outward to accommodate the ball-shaped connector and then return to their original position to secure it. This parameter change enables automatic engagement and disengagement based on applied load, simplifying both manufacture and installation while ensuring reliable breakaway operation.
3Ease of operation
If ball chains are made flexible to allow operation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of breakaway force deteriorates due to tolerance variations in ball sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient cavity utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter change mechanism. The resilient walls can deflect outward to accommodate the ball-shaped connector and then return to their original position to secure it. This parameter change enables automatic engagement and disengagement based on applied load, simplifying both manufacture and installation while ensuring reliable breakaway operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a ball-shaped connector element provides a curved, spherical interface that naturally accommodates variations in ball size tolerances. The spherical geometry allows for rotational freedom and consistent engagement regardless of minor dimensional variations, maintaining reliable breakaway forces while preserving chain flexibility.
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
The solution provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable means to connect ball chain ends with consistent breakaway forces, ensuring safety and ease of use, even with varying ball sizes, and maintaining the chain's flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient wall is configured to resiliently hold the ball-shaped connector
Implementation Method 2
The resilient wall is configured to be resiliently deflected so as to release the ball-shaped connector and allow the first and second parts to separate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A ball chain connector (30) and a method of releasably connecting together ball chain ends using such a connector. The ball chain connector includes first (32) and second parts (34) respectively for receiving end balls (22b) of a ball chain (20), the first part (32) including a ball-shaped connector (60) and the second part (34) including at least one resilient wall (64) with a side opening (70) for resiliently receiving and holding the ball-shaped connector (60).