Detachable Belt Connector With Predetermined Breaking Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detachable belt connector systems for safety helmets, such as firefighter helmets, lack a simple and cost-effective mechanism to prevent strangulation by releasing belt ends at a predefined limit pulling force without relying on separate break rings, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A detachable belt connector system with connector elements featuring a predetermined breaking point in the belt fastening areas, allowing for a positive-locking connection that irreversibly breaks when a predefined limit pulling force is applied, eliminating the need for separate break rings and enabling reliable release of belt ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate break ring is used to release belt ends at predefined limit pulling force, then protection against strangulation is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the break ring function directly into the connector element by providing a predetermined breaking point in the belt fastening area of the connector element itself. This integration eliminates the need for a separate break ring component, reducing device complexity while maintaining the strangulation protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector element is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the connection interface between belt ends, maintains the secure connection during normal use, and automatically releases at the predetermined breaking point when limit pulling force is applied. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components.
2Reliability
If a separate break ring is used to release belt ends at predefined limit pulling force, then protection against strangulation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The break ring function is merged into the connector element, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the breaking point function from a separate break ring component and integrates it directly into the connector element's belt fastening area. This extraction and integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If connector elements are designed with predetermined breaking point in belt fastening area, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector element is designed with non-uniform thickness, creating a localized predetermined breaking point in the belt fastening area while maintaining adequate thickness and strength in the connection areas. This local variation in geometry allows for simple manufacturing while preserving overall connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector element is segmented into different regions with different thickness characteristics: thicker connection areas for strong bonding and a thinner predetermined breaking point area for controlled failure. This segmentation allows the component to be manufactured simply while achieving the desired strength characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A detachable belt connector system (100), for the detachable connection of belt ends (770, 775), includes a first connector element (110) with a first connection area (112) and a first belt fastening area (116) and a second connector element (120) with a second connection area (122) and a second belt fastening area (126). The first and second connection areas are configured to be connected to one another in a detachably with a positive-lock. The belt ends can be fastened at the belt fastening areas via a corresponding permanent fastening mechanism. The first belt fastening area and/or the second belt fastening area are configured such that they have a predetermined breaking region (140), by means of which an irreversible break takes place at the belt fastening area having the predetermined breaking region when a predefined limit pulling force (150) is applied at the detachable belt connector system.