Piercing Safety Clutch Geometry to Prevent Self-Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body piercing clutches often suffer from self-locking issues, leading to difficulties in removing the post without damaging the device, and there is a need for safer, more hygienic, and cost-effective solutions that prevent skin irritation and infection.
Innovation Solution
A safety clutch design featuring cantilever spring elements and a dome shield with ventilation holes, where the post is guided through a hole in a plate and secured by cantilever spring elements with a groove or channel for alignment, and the dome shield blocks the post end from contacting the skin, reducing moisture accumulation and preventing self-locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clutch designs with spring elements are used to secure the post, then the post can be held securely, but the clutch may self-lock and become difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the spring element, specifically the bend radius and incident angle. The bend radius is made at least as large as half the diameter of the hole, and the incident angle is constrained to no larger than 45 degrees. These parameter changes prevent self-locking while maintaining secure post retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a shield positioned between the spring element and the post to prevent direct contact. This shield acts as a cushioning element that prevents the spring from gripping too tightly on the post, thereby preventing self-locking before it can occur.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clutch design is simplified for ease of manufacture, then production costs decrease, but safety features like skin protection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated clutch assembly. The shield, spring element, and housing are merged into one component that can be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit. This merging maintains safety features while simplifying the overall structure for easier manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch is segmented into distinct functional zones: the shield portion for skin protection, the spring element for post retention, and the housing for structural support. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency.
3Volume of moving object
If the spring element bend radius is reduced to make the clutch more compact, then the device size decreases, but self-locking risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter relationships that optimize the balance between compactness and self-locking resistance. The bend radius is set to at least half the hole diameter, and the incident angle is limited to 45 degrees or less. These parameter changes ensure the clutch remains compact while preventing self-locking.
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 design provides a secure, removable, and hygienic solution for body piercing, reducing the risk of self-locking and skin irritation, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture, ensuring efficient and safe use.
Implementation Method 1
The post of a body piercing passes through the hole and held by the spring force between the contacting loops.
Implementation Method 2
a pair of cantilever spring elements bent from the edges of the plate into position on the back side of the plate
Implementation Method 3
The dome shield includes one or more ventilation holes for reducing moisture accumulation within the dome shield.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1E
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A safety clutch (100) for releasable securing of a post (202) for a body piercing is disclosed. The post (202) is guided through a hole (104) in a plate (102) to be secured (but removable) between a pair of cantilever spring elements (110A,110B) bent from the edges of the plate (102) into position on the back side of the plate (102). A dome shield (108) is also secured to the edge of plate (102) to cover the cantilever spring elements (110A,110B) on back side of the clutch (100), the dome shield (108) including one or more ventilation holes (116) for reducing moisture accumulation within the dome shield (108). The dome shield (108) blocks an end of the post (202) extending between the cantilever spring elements (110A,110B) from contacting the user and possibly puncturing skin. The plate (102), dome shield (108) and cantilever spring elements (110A,110B) can be efficiently manufactured by forming and stamping from a single piece of material.