Coil Retainer for Frictional Cord Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing coiled electrical cords and similar flexible structures are cumbersome, prone to tangling, and pose safety hazards due to loose ends and difficulty in storage, especially for individuals with physical challenges and in situations requiring multiple cords to be secured.
Innovation Solution
A coil retainer system with a flexible coil securing portion and a collapsible accordion-like structure that frictionally secures coiled portions, using straps or other fastening means to maintain the coil in a compact, tubular shape, preventing entanglement and providing easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tie is used to secure a coiled portion of an electrical cord, then the coiled cord can be secured in a compact form, but the tie leaves large portions of the coiled cord unsecured and creates difficulty in operation for physically challenged persons
Solution Approach 1:
The coil retainer is designed to automatically grip and secure the coiled cord when inserted, eliminating the need for manual tying or fastening operations. The spring-loaded fingers automatically engage with the cord coil, providing self-securing functionality that addresses both reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil retainer acts as an intermediary device between the user and the coiled cord, providing a mechanical interface that simplifies the securing process. Instead of directly manipulating the cord with hands (difficult for physically challenged persons), the user simply inserts the cord into the retainer which then secures it automatically.
2Reliability
If a tie is wrapped around the midsection of the electrical cord coil, then the center portion is secured, but the unsecured ends may become entangled with other objects creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The coil retainer divides the securing function into multiple contact points along the length of the coiled cord. The spring-loaded fingers engage at different positions along the coil, securing multiple sections simultaneously rather than just the midsection, thereby preventing end entanglement while maintaining coil integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil retainer extends the securing action from a single-point (midsection) constraint to a multi-point distributed constraint along the longitudinal dimension of the coil. This dimensional expansion of the securing mechanism ensures that both ends and intermediate portions are held secure, eliminating entanglement hazards.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple coils from multiple electrical cords are secured together with a single tie, then storage space is reduced, but the tie may not be large enough or strong enough to secure more than one cord
Solution Approach 1:
The coil retainer is designed as a universal securing device that can accommodate multiple coiled cords of different sizes and configurations. The adjustable spring-loaded fingers and open C-shaped structure allow it to securely hold one or multiple coils simultaneously, providing multi-functional securing capacity that overcomes the limitations of single-purpose ties.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded fingers provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the coil retainer to adapt to different coil sizes and numbers of cords being secured. The elastic fingers can flex to accommodate varying dimensions while maintaining secure engagement, enabling the same device to handle multiple cords effectively.
4Strength
If the coil retainer is made with a rigid structure to securely hold the coiled cord, then securing strength is improved, but the device becomes difficult to manipulate for physically challenged persons
Solution Approach 1:
The coil retainer employs a flexible C-shaped body with spring-loaded fingers that provide both structural strength and operational ease. The flexible material allows the device to be easily manipulated and inserted, while the spring mechanism provides sufficient holding strength to secure the coiled cord firmly without requiring rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil retainer utilizes elastic deformation of the spring-loaded fingers to achieve secure engagement. The material parameters are selected to provide optimal balance between flexibility for easy manipulation and rigidity for strong holding capability, allowing the same component to satisfy both contradictory requirements through controlled parameter selection.
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 coil retainer system effectively secures coiled cords, reducing safety hazards and unsightly cord management issues, making it easier to store and retrieve cords, even for those with physical limitations, while allowing for secure storage of multiple cords in a compact and organized manner.
Implementation Method 1
The coiled portion is frictionally secured by the interior surface of the coil securing portion when the coil retainer is secured in the collapsed position
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are operable to secure a coiled portion of an electrical cord, a cable, or a rope. An exemplary embodiment has a coil securing portion with an interior surface, a collapsing portion joined with the coil securing portion, and a means for securing the coil retainer in a collapsed position. The coil securing portion and the collapsing portion cooperatively define a substantially tubular interior region and an opening, wherein the interior region is configured to receive a coil portion inserted through the opening when the coil retainer is in an open position. The coiled portion is frictionally secured by the interior surface of the coil securing portion when the coil retainer is secured in the collapsed position.