Concealed Draw Cord Adjuster for Safer Tension Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing draw cord adjusters can be hazardous due to exposed cords that may get caught in objects, particularly posing a risk for children, and they do not effectively conceal the drawstring, leading to inconvenience and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A concealed draw cord adjuster design featuring a closure member with locking and anchoring members that secure the drawstring within a channel, allowing for easy tightening and loosening without exposing the cord, using U-shaped anchoring members and toggle-operated cord locks to manage the drawstring's tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional exposed drawstring is used, then the article can be easily tightened and loosened, but the exposed cord creates a safety hazard by getting caught in objects
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful exposed portion of the drawstring is extracted and removed from the visible exterior. The drawstring is concealed within a channel formed in the article body, with only the locking members remaining externally visible. This extraction eliminates the safety hazard while preserving the tightening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawstring is nested within the channel structure of the article body. The cord runs through a recessed channel that conceals it from external view, while the locking members are integrated into this nested structure, allowing operation without exposing the hazardous cord portion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the drawstring is concealed within a channel, then safety is improved by preventing entanglement, but the mechanism for adjusting tension becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking members are designed to be operable directly by the user without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. Each locking member features a simple aperture through which the drawstring passes, allowing the user to pull and lock the cord in place through direct manual operation, simplifying the adjustment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into multiple independent locking members positioned at different locations along the channel. This segmentation allows for distributed tension control and simplifies the operation of each individual locking element, making the overall system easier to use despite the concealed configuration.
3Ease of operation
If locking members are positioned along the channel, then tension control is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking members are designed as universal, repeatable elements that can be positioned at multiple locations along the channel. Each locking member performs the same function of securing the drawstring at a specific tension level, allowing for standardized manufacturing and simplified structure despite the multi-point control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking members are strategically positioned at specific locations along the channel where tension control is most effective. Rather than distributing locking mechanisms uniformly, the design places them at key positions that provide optimal tension control while minimizing the overall number of components required.
Data Source
AI summary
A draw cord adjuster includes a closure member having a first end and a second end. At least one locking member is anchored to one of the first end and the second end of the closure member. At least one anchoring member is positioned proximate the one of the first end and the second end of the closure member to which a corresponding locking member is anchored, with each anchoring member being movably secured to the corresponding locking member.