Retractable Leash Harness with Locking Receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retractable leash devices are cumbersome, bulky, and lack effective locking mechanisms, leading to inconvenience, increased costs, and safety risks due to misplacement, and they can cause neck or throat pain in animals when attached to collars.
Innovation Solution
A retractable leash assembly with a harness and receptacle system featuring a locking mechanism, snap-fit joints, and a spool design that allows for secure attachment and detachment, preventing accidental release and promoting safe use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional retractable leash devices are used, then basic leash functionality is provided, but the devices are cumbersome and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable leash device is divided into separate modular components: a harness portion with receptacle, a leash portion with spool, and a locking mechanism portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces overall bulk while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it locks the leash at desired lengths, unlocks for retraction, and integrates with both the harness and leash portions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, decreasing overall device complexity and bulk.
2Reliability
If conventional locking mechanisms are used, then basic locking functionality is provided, but the mechanisms are too cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the spool assembly and integrated into the leash portion. The lock engages directly with the spool's peripheral surface, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing cumbersomeness while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on spool rotation and leash tension. The lock engages automatically when the leash is pulled taut and can be easily disengaged by manual operation, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If conventional attachment mechanisms are used, then basic attachment is provided, but effective releasable attachment to animal harness is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses a dynamic receptacle on the harness that can open and close to receive the leash portion. The receptacle includes movable elements that allow easy insertion while providing secure retention, achieving both convenience and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle acts as an intermediary between the harness and leash, providing a standardized interface that ensures reliable attachment. The receptacle's design mediates between the user's need for easy attachment and the system's need for secure connection.
4Ease of operation
If leash buckles attached to neck collars are used, then attachment to animal is achieved, but neck or throat pain and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into a harness portion that distributes force across the animal's body and a receptacle that provides the actual connection point. This separates the attachment function from the collar, eliminating concentration of force on the neck.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness receptacle serves as an intermediary between the leash and the animal's body, providing a safe attachment point that distributes mechanical stress across the harness structure rather than concentrating it on the neck or throat area.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, comprising a harness configured to be releasably attached to a portion of an animal; a retractable leash assembly comprising at least one structural feature; a receptacle coupled with the harness, the receptacle comprising at least one structural feature; wherein the at least one structural feature of the retractable leash assembly is configured to be releasably mated with the at least one structural feature of the receptacle upon application of a force on the retractable leash assembly causing at least a portion of the retractable leash assembly to be releasably mated with the at least one structural feature of the receptacle.