Spring-Loaded Leash Release Mechanism With Pin-Lock Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dog leash designs lack a compact, efficient, and economical leash release mechanism with a spring-loaded cutting mechanism that can be activated by pressing a button and includes a blade to cut the leash, as well as a pin lock to prevent accidental cutting.
Innovation Solution
A leash release mechanism with a housing containing a leash and a spring-loaded cutting mechanism, featuring a button that activates a hammer to cut the leash when a securing pin lock is removed, utilizing a blade embedded in the housing to perform the cut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a spring-loaded cutting mechanism with blade and hammer is implemented, then leash cutting efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting mechanism employs dynamic elements including a spring-loaded hammer that moves from a resting position to strike the blade against the cutting board, and a movable blade member attached to the hammer. This dynamic design enables rapid leash cutting while maintaining a compact structure that does not significantly increase overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade member is pre-positioned on the hammer in readiness, and the spring is pre-compressed to store potential energy. When the button is pressed, these pre-positioned elements immediately execute the cutting action without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms, thus improving efficiency while limiting complexity growth.
2Reliability
If a pin lock securing mechanism is added, then reliability against accidental cutting is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a pin lock that can be removed, and a button that becomes operable only upon pin removal. This segmentation allows the safety function to be independently controlled without permanently impeding the cutting function, maintaining ease of operation when needed while ensuring reliability when the pin is in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin lock serves as an intermediary element between the user and the cutting mechanism. Its removal acts as a mediating action that transitions the system from a locked state to an operational state, providing clear feedback and control while preventing accidental activation. This intermediary mechanism balances reliability and ease of operation by requiring a deliberate two-step action.
3Volume of moving object
If the cutting mechanism is localized in the same housing section as the button, then device compactness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting mechanism components (hammer, blade member, spring) are merged into a single integrated assembly that is localized within the same housing section as the button. This merging reduces the overall volume required for the mechanism while the components are designed with self-aligning features that mitigate the impact on manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade member is nested within or attached to the hammer structure, and the spring is nested within the housing around the hammer's path of motion. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization within the localized housing section, achieving compactness without requiring extremely tight tolerances for component alignment.
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
Provides a cost-effective and reliable leash release mechanism that is easy to use, preventing accidental cutting and ensuring efficient leash detachment.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded cutting mechanism including a blade member attached to a hammer that when released is pushed by springs towards a cutting board to cut the leash
Data Source
AI summary
A leash release mechanism includes a housing assembly and a leash cutting assembly. The housing assembly has a housing with a handle. The leash cutting assembly is housed by the housing. The leash cutting assembly includes a pin lock, a cutting board and a spring-loaded mechanism. The spring-loaded mechanism includes a button and at least one spring mechanically connected to a hammer with a blade. The pin lock is configured to block the spring-loaded mechanism. The spring-loaded mechanism releases the hammer when the pin lock is removed from the leash cutting assembly and when the button is pressed. The at least one spring drives the hammer with the blade to cut a leash in the cutting board.