Reel Closure Spool Attachment for Knot-Free Tension Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closure systems for articles like shoes and clothing often require complex knotting or alteration of tension members, which can be time-consuming and prone to accidental loosening, lacking efficient and secure mechanisms for tightening and securing.
Innovation Solution
A reel-based closure system featuring a housing with a spool component and a tightening mechanism that winds a tension member without the need for knots, utilizing a coupling component that frictionally engages with the tension member for secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional closure systems use knotting or alteration of tension members, then the article can be secured about the body part, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to accidental loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional knotting mechanism with a reel-based mechanical winding system. The tension member is wound around a reel component, and a ratchet mechanism prevents unwinding, eliminating the need for complex knotting while providing secure, time-efficient closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system incorporates a self-retaining mechanism through the ratchet component that automatically prevents the tension member from unwinding once wound around the reel. This self-service feature eliminates the need for continuous user intervention to maintain closure security.
2Reliability
If conventional closure systems use complex knotting mechanisms, then the tension member can be secured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into distinct functional components: a reel component for winding the tension member, a ratchet component for preventing unwinding, and a housing component for integration. This segmentation simplifies each individual component while maintaining overall security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel component serves multiple functions: it winds the tension member to apply closure force, stores excess tension member length, and works with the ratchet mechanism to maintain secure closure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional closure systems require alteration of tension members, then the article can be tightly secured, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system allows dynamic adjustment of tension through the reel mechanism, enabling the user to wind the tension member to achieve the desired fit. The system transitions from a static knotted state to a dynamically adjustable wound state, providing both precision fit and ease of operation.
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 system allows for quick and secure tightening of articles by winding the tension member around the spool, providing a reliable and user-friendly mechanism that maintains the desired fit without the need for complex knotting or alterations.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling component frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed about the tension member
Data Source
AI summary
A reel based closure device includes a housing, a tension member, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a tightening component that is positioned axially above the spool and that is operably coupled therewith so that an operation of the tightening component causes the spool to rotate within the housing to wind the tension member about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that frictionally engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is removably fixed to the tension member. The spool component includes a coupling feature within which the coupling component is positioned to attach the tension member to the spool.