Retractable Coupling Tether for Secure Mobile Device Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
People face challenges in securely carrying multiple valuable items like mobile devices, wallets, and keys, which can lead to loss, damage, or theft, especially during recreational activities, due to discomfort and the risk of items slipping out or being dropped.
Innovation Solution
An extendable and retractable coupling system with a dual coupler configuration, featuring a fixed coupler attached to clothing and a retractable coupler connected to a valuable item via a tether, utilizing a spring-loaded tether device to prevent drops and theft, while ensuring ease of use and preventing snagging on clothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If items are carried in pockets, then accessibility is improved, but items can slip out unnoticed and comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system uses a retractable tether that dynamically adjusts between extended and retracted states. When the valuable item is pulled away from the coupler body, the tether extends to prevent loss. When the item returns to the coupled position, the tether automatically retracts, maintaining a compact profile and preventing snagging on clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable tether acts as an intermediary element between the coupler body and the valuable item. It provides a controlled connection that allows movement while preventing complete separation, thereby solving the contradiction between accessibility and retention.
2Reliability
If items are carried in a purse, then security is improved, but difficulty to find items increases and item damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system segments the carrying function by providing individual coupler bodies for different valuable items. Each item can be independently accessed by extending its tether, eliminating the need to search through a purse. The segmentation also prevents items from damaging each other through contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional storage (items layered in a purse) to three-dimensional spatial distribution (items distributed around the user's body at different positions). This allows simultaneous access to multiple items by extending tethers in different directions.
3Ease of operation
If tether length is increased to improve accessibility, then item retrieval is easier, but drop prevention capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tether dynamically adjusts its effective length based on the item's position. When the item is within safe distance, the tether remains retracted. When the item approaches the limit of safe distance, the tether extends to prevent loss, providing just enough length for accessibility while maintaining drop prevention.
4Reliability
If coupler body size is increased to improve attachment security, then retention is improved, but snagging on clothing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler body employs a smooth, rounded contour without sharp corners or protruding elements. This curved geometry allows the coupler to glide over clothing fibers without catching, while the substantial body size maintains secure attachment capability.
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 effectively prevents loss, damage, and theft of valuable items by allowing secure attachment to clothing, limiting extension to prevent drops, and ensuring easy retrieval, while being compact and snag-free.
Implementation Method 1
The tether may be coupled to the spring-loaded tether device and the retractable coupler may be drawn back into the receptor recess by the spring-loaded tether device
Data Source
AI summary
An extendable and retractable coupling system is configured with a retractable coupler that is tethered to a coupler body to retain valuable item to a person or other item. An extendable coupling system has a dual coupler having a fixed coupler that is stationary, or configured on the coupler body and a retractable coupler that is coupled to the coupler body by a tether. The retractable coupler may be coupled to a valuable item, such as a mobile phone and the fixed coupler may be coupled to a person clothing, such as to a belt loop, for example. The user may then extend the tether to use their mobile phone and place the phone back into a pocket when not in use. The tether may prevent the valuable item, such as the mobile phone, from dropping to the ground and being damaged.