Incremental Release Closure Mechanism for Precise Tension Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closure devices for articles like shoes and medical braces lack the ability to adjust tension incrementally, often requiring full loosening and re-tightening, which can lead to discomfort and inefficiency, and may result in accidental over-tensioning or damage to the lace and internal components.
Innovation Solution
A closure system featuring a reel with a spool and knob mechanism that allows incremental tightening and loosening of tension, including a stop mechanism to prevent excessive loosening beyond a tension threshold, enabling precise adjustments and preventing back-winding of the lace.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional closure devices are used, then the article can be closed and secured, but the tension cannot be adjusted incrementally, requiring full loosening and re-tightening which causes discomfort and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is segmented into a reel assembly with a spool that can rotate incrementally, allowing the tension member to be released in discrete steps rather than requiring complete loosening. The ratchet mechanism segments the rotation into controlled increments, enabling partial tension adjustments without full loosening cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel assembly provides dynamic tension adjustment by allowing the spool to rotate in either direction - tightening when rotated one way and incrementally loosening when rotated the other way. This dynamic capability enables real-time tension modification without requiring complete loosening and re-tightening cycles.
2Reliability
If conventional closure devices are used, then the article can be secured, but accidental over-tensioning or damage to the lace and internal components may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism provides mechanical feedback by allowing rotation in the tightening direction while blocking rotation in the loosening direction unless intentionally activated. This feedback system prevents accidental over-tensioning by providing tactile and mechanical cues that guide the user toward safe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism acts as a pre-built safety feature that prevents over-tensioning before it can cause damage. By designing the mechanism to inherently limit tension through the ratchet's one-way engagement, damage prevention is built into the structure rather than added as a separate protective layer.
3Productivity
If the tension member is loosened completely, then the article can be removed, but the lace may back-wind around the spool causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism is pre-configured to engage automatically when the spool attempts to rotate in the loosening direction. This preliminary engagement prevents back-winding before it can occur, guiding the lace cleanly off the spool and eliminating the need for manual prevention of back-winding during the loosening operation.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.