Collapsible Cord Spool With Movable Cleats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cord storage solutions often compromise cord integrity due to tight coiling or kinking during transportation or storage, leading to fraying and breakage, which can result in performance issues and costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible cord spool with movable cord cleats and a mounting base, featuring magnetic or spring-based mechanisms for easy deployment and storage, along with adhesive or screw mounting options, to securely wrap and manage power cords.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retractable cord reel is used, then cord storage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cord spool is divided into modular components: a mounting base and detachable cord cleats that can be assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the system to provide reel-like cord storage functionality while maintaining simplicity and ease of assembly/disassembly, avoiding the complexity of fully retractable mechanisms.
2Volume of moving object
If tight coiling is used for cord storage, then storage space is reduced, but cord integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cord cleats feature locally optimized geometry with rounded edges and specific curvature radii (e.g., R1-R4) that distribute cord contact forces evenly. This local quality enhancement at the cord-contact points allows tight coiling without creating stress concentration points that would cause fraying or breakage, thus maintaining cord integrity while achieving compact storage.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed cord spool is used, then cord management is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cord cleats are designed to be movable and detachable rather than fixed, allowing the system to transition between a assembled state (for cord management) and a disassembled state (for portability). The magnetic attachment mechanism enables easy assembly and disassembly, providing dynamic adaptability between these two operational modes.
4Ease of operation
If traditional cord binders are used, then cord organization is improved, but cord damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cord cleats incorporate specific geometric parameters including rounded edges with defined curvature radii (R1-R4) and optimized wrapping angles. These parameter changes ensure that the cord is guided smoothly around the cleats without sharp bends or kinks, reducing stress concentration and the risk of fraying or breakage while maintaining effective cord organization.
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 collapsible cord spool effectively improves portability and storage by preventing cord damage through secure wrapping and easy deployment, maintaining cord integrity and reducing the risk of fraying or breakage.
Implementation Method 1
the collapsible cord spool includes one or more magnets that are configured to maintain the first and second cord cleats in abutment in the deployed position
Implementation Method 2
the collapsible cord spool includes one or more springs biasing at least one of the first and second cord cleats towards the deployed position
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible cord spool 100 includes a base 102, defining one or more pivots 104, 106, and mounted to a power converter block 108 having a cord 110. The collapsible cord spool 100 further defines first and second cord cleats 112, 114. The first and second cord cleats 112, 114 include opposed projections 116, 118. The first and second cord cleats 112, 114 are movable about one or more pivots 104, 106 and may be stowed or deployed. In the deployed position, the first and second cord cleats 112, 114 define a cord wrapping region 302 to receive windings of the cord 110.