Expandable Socket Accessory Retention via Adhesion Anchor

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing expandable socket accessories fail to maintain retention within the receiving slot during hands-free use, especially when subjected to vertical inertial forces from jostling, bumping, or jumping.

Innovation Solution

The enhanced expandable socket accessory system incorporates a vertical deterrence adhesion anchor, comprising a first component on the button and a second component on the receiving slot collar, which reversibly interact to provide an adhesive strength capable of resisting inertial forces and releasing when a greater separation force is applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the button is positioned in the receiving slot for hands-free use, then the accessory provides hands-free mobility, but the accessory fails to maintain retention during vertical movement such as jostling, bumping or jumping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free mobilityVSAvoidretention during vertical movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the retention function from the simple slot geometry and implements it through a separate adhesion anchor component. The adhesion anchor is a distinct element that can be attached to the button, separating the retention mechanism from the basic slot structure and enabling reliable retention during vertical movement while maintaining hands-free mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite retention mechanisms combining mechanical interference (the button within the slot) and adhesion forces (the adhesion anchor). This composite approach integrates multiple retention principles to achieve both hands-free mobility and reliable retention during vertical movement, overcoming the limitations of either mechanism alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the receiving slot is designed with locked slots or saddle positions, then retention during vertical movement is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention during vertical movementVSAvoidreceiving slot design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the retention system into two independent parts: the simple receiving slot collar and the separate adhesion anchor. This segmentation allows the slot to remain geometrically simple while the adhesion anchor provides the necessary retention force during vertical movement, avoiding the need for complex locked slot or saddle position designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesion anchor serves as an intermediary component between the button and the receiving slot. Rather than complicating the slot geometry with locked slots or saddle positions, the adhesion anchor mediates the retention function, providing reliable vertical movement resistance while keeping the slot design simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a strong adhesion mechanism is used to resist inertial force, then retention during jostling, bumping or jumping is improved, but the ability to easily release the accessory is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention during inertial forceVSAvoidease of release

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesion anchor is designed with dynamic retention characteristics, providing strong adhesion during normal use and vertical movement while allowing easy release when intentional separation force is applied. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt between strong retention and easy release modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesion mechanism's retention parameters are optimized to provide sufficient strength during inertial events like jostling and bumping, while the release mechanism allows parameter changes that enable easy separation when needed. This parameter optimization balances strong retention with ease of release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution effectively maintains the socket accessory in place within the receiving slot, resisting vertical inertial forces, while allowing easy release with a sufficient separation force, thus enhancing hands-free mobility and usability.

Implementation Method 1

the first component of the vertical deterrence adhesion anchor and the second component of the vertical deterrence adhesion anchor are positioned to reversibly interact when the button is placed in the receiver slot creating a completed vertical deterrence adhesion anchor with an adhesive strength suitable to resist the inertial force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12219080B2Enhanced expandable socket accessory systems

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 WOODS IAN

AI summary

The present invention is directed to enhanced expandable socket accessory systems that are enhanced with the ability to maintain retention of the socket accessory within the receiving slot to resist vertical inertial force, e.g., resulting from jostling, bumping or jumping. In particular, novel form factors, including necklaces, are capable of utilizing the enhanced expandable socket accessory systems of the present invention.