Force-Sensitive Releasable Connection for Animal Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing securing arrangements for animals, such as horses, require manual release by humans, putting them at risk of injury during panic situations, as they need to get close to the animal to open safety hooks.
Innovation Solution
A releasable securing arrangement with a hook attachment to the animal, a releasable connection to a fixed object, and a strap between them, featuring interlocking parts that separate automatically when a predetermined force is exceeded, allowing the animal to be released without human intervention, along with additional features like sound-dampening and easy grasping mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual safety hooks are used for restraining animals, then the animal can be secured reliably, but the human operator must get close to the panicking animal to release it, putting themselves at risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The releasable connection is designed to automatically separate when the force applied by the panicking animal exceeds a predetermined limit. The interlocking parts include a force-sensitive mechanism that detects excessive force and triggers automatic release, eliminating the need for human intervention during panic situations while maintaining reliable restraint under normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The manual operation of opening safety hooks is replaced by a force-sensitive mechanical mechanism. The interlocking parts incorporate a force threshold detector that automatically triggers release when excessive force is detected, substituting human manual operation with an automated mechanical response system
2Ease of operation
If traditional securing arrangements are used, then the animal is restrained, but the connection does not release automatically when the animal panics and applies excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking parts are designed with a force-sensitive mechanism that changes its state based on the applied force parameter. Under normal conditions, the connection maintains high strength through interlocking engagement. When the force exceeds a predetermined threshold, the mechanism transitions to a released state, providing automatic release while maintaining reliability during normal restraint
3Strength
If the interlocking parts are designed to be very strong to prevent accidental release, then connection reliability is improved, but the automatic release function may not activate when needed during panic situations
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking parts are pre-configured with a force-sensitive mechanism that is calibrated to detect excessive force levels. The mechanism is prepared in advance to automatically trigger release when the predetermined force threshold is exceeded, ensuring that the automatic release function activates reliably during panic situations while maintaining strong connection under normal conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A releasable securing arrangement for securing a moveable object. A hook arrangement is attached to the moveable object. A releasable connection is attached to a fixed object. A strap extends between the hook arrangement and the releasable connection. The hook arrangement is attached to a first end section of the strap. The releasable connection is attached to a second end section of the strap. The releasable connection includes first and second interlocking parts, the first interlocking part being longitudinally spaced from the second interlocking part along the strap. A foldable strap area extends between the first interlocking part and the second interlocking part to enclose the fixed object, the first and second interlocking parts meeting and interlocking at one side of the fixed object. The interlocked first and second interlocking parts separate when force applied onto the releasable connection by the moveable object exceeds a predetermined force limit.