Combined Hinge Fastener for Protective Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective covers for propellant charges on mortar shells are time-consuming to remove due to the need to unwind Velcro or release clips, requiring significant clearance and rotation of the ammunition.
Innovation Solution
A combined hinge-lock design using shell-shaped parts with fabric bands and Velcro fasteners, where the fabric strips serve both as a closure and a hinge, allowing for rapid opening and reassembly of the protective cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Velcro or adhesive tapes are used to hold protective covers, then the protective cover can be securely closed, but removing the protective cover becomes time-consuming and requires significant clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into multiple shell-shaped parts (at least two parts) that can be independently manipulated. The fabric band is segmented into a first band and a second band, where the first band provides closure functionality and the second band provides hinge functionality. This segmentation allows the closure mechanism to be quickly released while the hinge portion maintains connection, enabling rapid removal without requiring complete detachment of all fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the hinge function from the closure function by assigning them to different fabric bands. The first fabric band is dedicated to closure (with Velcro/adhesive), while the second fabric band is dedicated to hinging. This separation allows the closure to be quickly released by pulling only the first band, while the second band maintains the structural connection, thereby reducing removal time and required clearance.
2Reliability
If multiple clips or Velcro strips are used to secure protective covers, then the closure is secure, but the complexity of the fastening system increases and removal becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric band serves multiple functions: it acts as both a closure element (when the first band is engaged with Velcro/adhesive) and as a hinge element (when the second band maintains connection). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated hinge mechanisms and multiple closure elements, simplifying the overall fastening system while maintaining secure closure and enabling rapid removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the closure and hinge functions into a single integrated fabric band structure. The first and second bands work together as a unified system where the first band provides form-fitting closure and the second band provides hinged connection. This combination eliminates the need for separate hinge mechanisms and multiple independent fastening systems, reducing overall complexity.
3Reliability
If adhesive tapes are used to secure protective covers, then the closure is secure, but removing the protective cover requires significant force and time
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric band is segmented into a first band (with adhesive/Velcro for closure) and a second band (for hinging). This segmentation allows the adhesive closure to be quickly released by pulling the first band, while the second band maintains a gentle hinged connection. The adhesive force is concentrated in a specific region rather than distributed throughout the entire band, making removal easier and requiring less force.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive or Velcro fastening is applied locally to specific regions of the fabric band (the first band) rather than uniformly across the entire band. This localized application means that only a portion of the band requires significant force to detach, while the rest (the second band) maintains a flexible hinge connection that requires minimal force, thereby reducing the overall removal force needed.
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
Enables the protective cover to be opened and removed in less than 1 second, improving efficiency and reducing the required clearance for detachment.
Implementation Method 1
The two shell-shaped parts each have an area on the outside in the upper and lower end areas of their second side edges, to which a first closure element of a form-fitting connection, such as that of a Velcro fastener, is attached. In addition, the respective fabric strip has a second closure element of the form-fitting connection
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The closures (20, 21) have fabric tapes (10, 11) e.g. fleece-, velour- and mushroom tapes, providing strap-like fabric tape regions (12, 13) between upper and lower end regions. A set of closure elements (14, 14', 15, 15') e.g. hook- and mushroom tape sections, is attached at an area that is incorporated on upper and lower end regions of side plates. Each fabric tape has another set of closure elements provided in a region adjacent to its fixing regions and forming a form-fit connection together with the former set of closure elements. An independent claim is also included for a protective cover or package comprising two shell-like parts.