Harness Adjustment Device Using Elastic Wire Undulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tie-in harnesses lack adjustable and compact solutions for waist and thigh circumference, limiting user comfort and versatility across different activities, and existing adjustment devices are either bulky or insufficient in mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
A tie-in harness with a device for adjusting the belt and leg loop circumferences using an elastic wire element with undulations that reduce in size under tension, allowing for sliding and a compact, easy-to-use mechanism, combined with a sheath and core configuration for enhanced mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional cord clamp mechanism is used for adjustment, then the harness can be adjusted to different circumferences, but the device becomes bulky and its load-bearing capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an elastic wire element with undulations that acts as a flexible structure. The wire forms multiple undulations at rest, creating a compact appearance, and when tensioned, the undulations decrease or disappear, allowing the perforated piece to slide. This flexible wire element replaces the bulky cord clamp mechanism while maintaining adjustability and providing sufficient load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic wire element changes its physical state based on tension. At rest, it forms multiple undulations with a lateral dimension greater than the through hole, preventing sliding. When tensioned, the undulations decrease or disappear, and the lateral dimension becomes less than or equal to the through hole, enabling the perforated piece to slide along the wire for adjustment.
2Weight of moving object
If the harness is designed to be lightweight and compact, then it is preferred by athletes, but user comfort is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic wire element provides a compact and lightweight adjustment mechanism that replaces bulkier traditional components. The wire's ability to form undulations at rest allows it to be compact, while its flexibility enables smooth adjustment operations, maintaining user comfort without sacrificing weight savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic wire element with undulations serves multiple functions: it provides the adjustment mechanism, acts as a load-bearing component, and enables compact design. This multi-functional element replaces what would traditionally require separate components for adjustment and load-bearing, reducing overall weight while maintaining comfort and functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable mechanism is added to accommodate different waist sizes and thigh circumferences, then the harness becomes versatile, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic wire element with undulations provides a simple yet effective adjustment mechanism. The wire's natural elasticity and undulation formation create a self-regulating system that accommodates different circumferences without requiring complex mechanical components. The perforated piece simply slides along the wire when tensioned and locks when relaxed, providing adjustability with minimal complexity.
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
The solution provides a lightweight, compact, and versatile harness with multiple adjustment positions, ensuring user comfort and sufficient mechanical strength to withstand various loads, including falls.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic wire element having one end fixed to one end of the belt, a slatted piece mounted movable on the elastic wire element... The elastic wire element forms a plurality of undulations at rest, the lateral dimension of which is greater than the lateral dimension of the through hole... The plurality of undulations decreases or disappears when the elastic wire element is under tension
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The harness includes leg loops and a waist belt equipped with a circumference adjustment device. The circumference adjustment device comprises an elastic wire element (9) and a perforated piece (10) movably mounted on the elastic wire element (9). The perforated piece (10) defines a through hole (10a) through which the elastic wire element (9) passes and a loop (11) on the waist belt (2) or leg loop (4). The loop (11) cooperates with the perforated piece (10) to close the waist belt (2) or the leg loop (4). The elastic wire element (9) forms several undulations at rest. The plurality of undulations disappears when the elastic wire element (9) is under tension. The lateral dimension of the elastic wire element (9) under tension is less than or equal to the lateral dimension of the through hole to allow the perforated piece (10) to slide along the elastic wire element (9).