Ball-and-Socket Rein Connector for Controlled Force Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rein connectors that attach the free ends of reins together do not effectively prevent dangerous situations when subjected to forces beyond the rider's control, such as during a fall, and often require complex reconnection or alter the reins' balance.
Innovation Solution
A rein safety connector device featuring a ball and socket mechanism with a rotational coupling and expandable opening, allowing separation under a defined force and easy reassembly, using materials like zinc and polypropylene for strength and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frangible buckle is used to allow reins to separate under force, then safety is improved, but the complexity of reconnection increases and the buckle cannot be easily reattached
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into three separable components: a ball component, a socket component, and a retaining member. This segmentation allows the ball to be easily removed from the socket by detaching the retaining member, enabling simple reconnection while maintaining safety through the frangible connection that releases under excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member is designed to be detachable and reusable. When the ball needs to be removed from the socket (either for safety release or reconnection), the retaining member can be removed, the ball extracted, and then the components can be reassembled. This allows the connector components to be recovered and reused rather than discarded.
2Reliability
If an insert is added to the rein ends to provide a frangible connection, then safety is improved, but the balance of the reins is altered and additional weight is added
Solution Approach 1:
The socket component incorporates an expandable opening that dynamically adjusts its size. Under normal conditions, the opening is small to securely hold the ball. Under excessive force, the opening expands to allow the ball to escape, providing safety without requiring heavy structural reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the socket opening are designed to change under load. The opening diameter is smaller than the ball diameter under normal conditions, but expands under excessive force to allow release. This parameter change enables safety functionality without adding significant weight to the connector components.
3Reliability
If the opening diameter is smaller than the ball diameter to secure the ball, then connection reliability is improved, but the ball cannot be released under force
Solution Approach 1:
The socket opening is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It maintains a small diameter under normal conditions to securely hold the ball, but expands under excessive force to allow release. This dynamic behavior enables both secure connection and force-responsive release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of the opening diameter changes in response to applied force. Under normal conditions, the opening diameter is smaller than the ball diameter for secure retention. Under excessive force, the opening diameter increases to allow the ball to escape, providing the required adaptability for safety release.
4Ease of operation
If a rotational coupling with threads is used to attach the retaining member, then ease of assembly is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational coupling mechanism combines multiple functions into a single assembly operation. The threaded retaining member simultaneously secures the ball in the socket and provides a simple rotational assembly/disasembly mechanism. This merging of functions achieves ease of operation without requiring multiple separate components or complex assembly steps.
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 prevents dangerous situations by releasing under controlled forces, maintaining rein balance, and allows simple reconnection without additional weight or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the socket including an opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the ball, the opening being configured for expansion upon application of a first force along a longitudinal axis of the socket component
Data Source
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AI summary
A rein safety connector device comprises a ball component, a socket component and a retaining member. The ball component includes a ball and the socket component includes a socket shaped to receive the ball. The socket includes an opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the ball, the opening being configured for expansion upon application of a first force along a longitudinal axis of the socket component in a first direction by the ball of said ball component and retraction upon removal of said force. The retaining member is attachable to the socket component around the opening thereof to secure the ball of the ball component in the socket of said socket component, the ball being releasable from the socket when subject to a second force, greater than the first force along said longitudinal axis in a second direction.