Composite Metal Eyelet With Plastic Flange for Tear-Resistant Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eyelets for flexible sheets like tarpaulins and canvases are prone to detachment, material strength limitations, and tearing due to their two-body structure and foreign object integration, which compromises their durability and attachment security.
Innovation Solution
A metal eyelet with radially extending flanges forming a partly confined space, encased in a plastic body with an integral plastic flange for secure attachment to the flexible sheet, enhancing strength and integration through welding or fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional two-body metal eyelets are used, then the eyelet can be manufactured with standard processes, but the risk of subsequent detachment is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the metal body and plastic body into a single integrated eyelet structure where the plastic body is molded around the metal body, creating a unified component that eliminates the detachment risk between separate parts while maintaining manufacturability through two-shot or insert molding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal and plastic materials in a single eyelet, where the metal body provides structural strength and the plastic body provides attachment security to the flexible sheet, creating a multi-material component that resolves the contradiction between manufacturability and reliability
2Device complexity
If conventional eyelets rely on clamping force between two bodies, then the structure is simple, but the force is limited by material breaking points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where the metal body and plastic body work together to distribute and amplify the coupling force, allowing the eyelet to withstand forces exceeding the breaking points of individual materials by leveraging the combined mechanical properties of both materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the plastic body is molded around the metal body, creating a layered configuration that allows forces to be transmitted through multiple interfaces and material layers, thereby increasing the overall coupling strength beyond what a single-material structure could achieve
3Device complexity
If conventional eyelets are used, then the structure is straightforward, but they are likely to tear the tarpaulin due to low integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite eyelet structure where the plastic body material can be selected to match or complement the flexible sheet material, improving compatibility and reducing stress concentration that causes tearing, while the metal body provides the necessary structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having different parts of the eyelet serve different functions: the metal body provides localized structural strength at the attachment point, while the plastic body provides localized integration with the flexible sheet, creating a gradient of material properties that reduces tearing
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional two-body eyelets are used, then the manufacturing process is established, but the size of the eyelet is considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the metal body and plastic body into a single integrated structure that eliminates the need for separate components and assembly, reducing the overall volume and footprint of the eyelet while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through advanced molding techniques
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an eyelet (100) for a flexible sheet such as a tarpaulin, canvas, foil or linen, the eyelet (100) forming a generally round loop having a central aperture (1) suitable for receiving a rope. The eyelet (100) comprises a metal body (110) comprising a cylindrical section (119) comprising a first end (111) and a second end (112). The first end (111) is provided with a radially extending first flange (113) extending towards the second end (112). The second end (112) is provided with a radially extending second flange (114) extending towards the first end (111). A partly confined space (115) is formed by the first (113) and second flange (114) and the cylindrical section (119). The eyelet further comprises a plastic body (120) enclosing the metal body (110), whereby the plastic body (120) is securely joined to the metal body (110) due to plastic at least occupying the partly confined space (115). The plastic body (120) further has a radially extending plastic flange (121), thereby providing means for joining the eyelet (100) to the flexible sheet. Thereby, the eyelet experiences an improved inherent strength and improved attachment. Further, the eyelet provides a means—through the provision of an integral plastic flange—for attaching a flexible sheet to the eyelet by means of welding, melting, gluing or fusion of the two materials.