Manual Pull-Out Clamping Device for Snow Chains

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-skid and tire protection devices, such as snow chains, are difficult to assemble and disassemble, especially under adverse conditions, due to the complexity of manual operation and the risk of getting dirty or tangled.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device with a manual pull-out mechanism and a handle connected to the clamping device, allowing for easier assembly and disassembly by providing a separate opening for manual extension, which is connected to the tensioning means and protected from dirt when retracted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually reach into the anti-skid device to pull the clamping device out, then the device can be dismantled, but the user's clothing may get dirty and the handling time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of disassemblyVSAvoiddirt contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A manual pull-out element is introduced as an intermediary component that extends through the housing wall. This element provides a clean interface for user interaction, allowing the clamping device to be pulled out without the user's hand needing to reach inside the dirty anti-skid device. The pull-out element acts as a mediator between the user and the clamping device, eliminating direct contact with contaminated areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the clamping device is completely retracted into the housing, then it is protected from dirt, but no external contact point is available for manual operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt protectionVSAvoidmanual accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual pull-out element is nested within the housing structure, extending through the housing wall. When the clamping device is retracted, the pull-out element remains accessible from the outside while the clamping device itself is protected inside the housing. This nested arrangement allows the system to maintain both dirt protection for the retracted clamping device and manual accessibility through the protruding pull-out element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If a separate opening is provided for manual pull-out, then assembly and disassembly are simplified, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual pull-out element serves multiple functions: it acts as a handle for manual operation, provides a sealing interface for the opening, and guides the clamping device during extraction. By making this single component multi-functional, the housing structure doesn't need additional separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall structural complexity while achieving simplified operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3296132B1Clamping device for an Anti-skid or tire protection device of a vehicle wheel comprising a manual pull-out
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 RUD KETTENFABRIK RIEGER & DIETZ GMBH & CO
  • EP3296132B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a tensioning device (16) for a traction device or tire protection device (1) and to a traction device or tire protection device with such a tensioning device. The traction device or tire protection device (1) is, for example, a snow chain and is mounted on a vehicle tire (2). The tensioning device (16) has a tensioning element (14) shaped like a pull-type clamping element and a housing (18) in which a retraction device (???) for automatically retracting the tensioning element (14) into the housing (18) is located. To simplify the disassembly of the traction device or tire protection device (1) and to improve its ease of use, the invention provides that a manual extension (28) for the tensioning element (14) is located at an opening (32) of the housing (18). The manual extension (28) has a handle (30) and is connected to the tensioning element (14).By pulling on the handle, the clamping device can thus be easily and ergonomically pulled out of the clamping device (16).