Pivoting Wire Element Adjuster for Strength-Preserving Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adjustment buckles for webbing straps or wire elements suffer from a significant reduction in mechanical performance when subjected to tensile stresses, necessitating thicker materials to maintain strength, which compromises ergonomics.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment device with a body and clamping element that allows for secure clamping and easy adjustment of wire elements, using a pivoting mechanism with a support wall and barbs to distribute tension, preventing direct friction and maintaining strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional adjustment buckle is used to adjust the length of a wire element, then the chosen length can be easily preserved and adjusted, but the mechanical performance (breaking strength) of the wire element is reduced by a factor of two or three
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment device is segmented into distinct functional components: a body with first and second apertures, a clamping element with support wall, and a bearing wall. The wire element is routed through these segments in a specific sequence (first aperture → support wall → second aperture → bearing wall), with each segment performing a specific function in the clamping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing wall acts as an intermediary element between the support wall and the wire element. It receives the clamping force from the support wall and distributes it to the wire element through the second aperture, preventing direct contact between the clamping element and the wire element, thereby reducing stress concentration.
2Strength
If the cross-section of the strap is increased to withstand expected stresses, then the breaking strength is improved, but the ergonomics are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the adjustment device, specifically positioning the pivot shaft nearer to the first wall than to the second wall and nearer to the first wall than to the bearing wall. This parameter optimization allows for effective clamping force distribution while maintaining a compact structure that does not compromise ergonomics.
3Strength
If the clamping element is positioned nearer to the bearing wall, then the clamping force is increased, but the functional clearance for adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs asymmetric positioning of the pivot shaft, located nearer to the first wall than to the second wall and nearer to the first wall than to the bearing wall. This asymmetric configuration creates an optimized lever arm distribution that provides both sufficient clamping force and adequate adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the spatial dimension created by the asymmetric pivot shaft positioning to optimize the mechanical advantage. By positioning the pivot shaft at specific distances from different walls, the device achieves effective clamping force multiplication while preserving adjustment clearance in the perpendicular dimension.
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 device ensures the chosen length is preserved with improved breaking strength and ease of use, maintaining mechanical performance under tension without the need for thicker materials.
Implementation Method 1
the second strand is wedged between the support wall and the bearing wall
Implementation Method 2
the clamping element being fixed to the body and installed movable pivoting with respect to the body around a pivot shaft
Implementation Method 3
the first strand applies a force on the bearing wall in the direction of the support wall
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustment device of a length of wire element includes a wire element, a body and a clamping element installed able to move between a clamping position and a releasing position of the wire element. The body defines a first aperture and a second aperture designed for the wire element to pass through. The apertures are separated by a bearing wall. The clamping element is installed able to pivot with respect to the body around a pivot shaft to move towards or away from the bearing wall. The clamping element has a support wall moving towards or away from the bearing wall. The two strands passing through a second aperture are separated by the support wall and join one another passing round the pivot axis of the support wall formed by the body.