Escapement Rotary Control Clutch for Rapid Lacing Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lacing systems, such as shoelaces, tend to loosen during movement or exercise, leading to inconvenience and potential accidents, as they require frequent tightening.
Innovation Solution
The escapement rotary control clutch provides a mechanism with a top cover, control component, spool, and base that allows for rapid tightening or loosening of a rope by rotating the top cover, which engages or disengages the control member with the spool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lacing systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the laces tend to loosen during movement requiring frequent tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic clutch mechanism with movable control claws that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. The control claws are mounted on a control disk that rotates to engage or disengage the control portions on the spool, enabling the system to dynamically adjust between locked and free states during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member acts as an intermediary between the user's rotational input and the spool's winding action. It translates rotational motion into controlled engagement or disengagement of the control claws with the control portions, mediating the force transmission to achieve reliable tightening without direct manual manipulation of the laces.
2Reliability
If a clutch mechanism is introduced to prevent loosening, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is segmented into independent functional components: control claws with engaging/disengaging portions, a control disk for rotation, control portions on the spool, and a control member. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the complex mechanism to be constructed from simple, modular elements that can be manufactured and assembled separately.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism that requires active intervention to release, the patent employs an escapement-based clutch where the default state is engaged and locking, and release is achieved through a simple reverse rotation that disengages the control claws. This inversion simplifies the operation while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If rapid tightening and loosening is achieved through rotational control, then the ease of operation improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism operates through periodic engagement and disengagement cycles achieved by rotating the control disk in discrete steps. Each rotation cycle engages or disengages the control claws with the control portions, creating a rhythmic, easy-to-follow operational pattern that simplifies user interaction despite the underlying mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an escapement rotary control clutch, comprising top cover, being fixedly provided with control member; control component, comprising control claws and control disk, control claws being rotatably mounted on the control disk; first engagement structures are provided on peripheral edge of control disk; spool, comprising control portions and winding portion for rope to enwind, control portions passing through middle part of control disk to make control claws and control portions cooperate with other; base, top cover and base enclosing accommodation space with control component and spool therein; second engagement structure is provided in upper portion of base, and first engagement structure is unidirectionally engaged with second engagement structure, so that control component can be rotated only along base unidirectionally.