Pet Collar Buckle With Visual Tension Indicator for Proper Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet collars, especially electronic ones, often fail to maintain proper tension due to user hesitation in adjusting for neck size changes, leading to discomfort or collar removal, and lack of adjustment for physical changes in an animal's neck diameter.
Innovation Solution
A pet collar with a two-piece squeeze-type buckle and a tension indicator system that uses color-coded markers and sliding shuttles to visually indicate if the collar is too tight, too loose, or properly fitted, allowing for easy adjustment based on the animal's neck size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the collar is tightened to ensure proper tension for electronic pet collar operation, then the product function is improved, but the animal's comfort deteriorates and may cause choking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tension indicator system with visual feedback markers that show whether the collar is too tight, too loose, or properly fitted. This feedback mechanism guides users to achieve the correct tension level, ensuring both proper electronic collar operation and animal comfort by preventing over-tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides multiple adjustment holes at different positions along the collar strap, enabling users to change the collar's tension parameter to match the animal's neck size. This allows optimization of both functional reliability and comfort by selecting the appropriate tension level.
2Manufacturing precision
If the collar length is adjusted initially to fit the animal's neck, then the proper sizing is achieved, but the collar becomes too tight or too loose when the animal's neck size changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the collar dynamically adjustable by providing multiple adjustment holes at different positions and including a tension indicator system. This allows the collar to adapt to changing neck sizes throughout the day or season, transitioning from a static fit to a dynamic one that responds to physical changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension indicator system provides visual feedback to guide users in adjusting the collar to the correct tension level when neck size changes occur. This feedback mechanism ensures the collar maintains proper fit despite variations in the animal's neck diameter.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If users are hesitant to properly tighten the electronic pet collar, then the animal's comfort is maintained, but performance issues with product function occur
Solution Approach 1:
The tension indicator system provides clear visual feedback with color-coded or positioned markers that indicate whether the collar is too tight, too loose, or properly fitted. This eliminates user hesitation by providing objective guidance on the correct tension level, ensuring both comfort and proper electronic collar performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables users to achieve the correct tension parameter by providing multiple adjustment positions and visual indicators. This resolves the hesitation by showing users exactly where to adjust the collar to maintain both comfort and product performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the collar is made adjustable to accommodate neck size changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the collar into adjustable sections with multiple adjustment holes positioned at different locations along the strap. This segmentation allows for discrete tension adjustments without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a simple dynamic adjustment system using movable sections and adjustment holes that allow the collar length to change. This provides adaptability for neck size variations without introducing complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pet collar has an adjustable length strap and a buckle. The buckle has a receiver and a clip releasably coupled to the receiver. The receiver includes a catch portion coupleable to the clip and a tension indicator portion. The tension indicator portion has two side walls defining a shuttle channel. Each side wall has a top surface having a first mark, a second mark, a third mark, and a fourth mark which have color coding. The shuttle channel is configured to slidably receive a reciprocating tensioning shuttle therein. The tensioning shuttle includes two side wall and a compression spring. Each side wall also includes a top flange overlaying the receiver side walls that includes a first viewing window and a second viewing window. The viewing windows alignment with the underlying marks indicated the tension of the collar upon the pet.