Retractable Animal Tether With Magnetic Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retractable leashes require manual connection and disconnection, leading to agitation in animals and potential injuries, as they often retract towards the animal, causing conflicts and accidents.
Innovation Solution
A retractable leash system with a retractor assembly and magnetic connectors that automatically engage and disengage with an animal's collar, allowing for easy connection and disconnection without manual intervention, and a retraction mechanism that maintains the leash in an extended position until activated by the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a conventional retractable leash is used, then the leash can be retracted automatically, but the housing advances toward the animal causing agitation and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional retraction mechanism by having the connector remain stationary in the housing while the tether retracts, rather than having the housing advance toward the animal. This reversal eliminates the harmful effect of the housing moving toward the animal while maintaining automatic retraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the connector from the moving housing structure and positions it externally on the housing. This separation allows the connector to remain stationary during retraction while the tether retracts internally, eliminating the problem of the housing advancing toward the animal.
2Reliability
If manual connection and disconnection is required, then the connection is secure, but the process causes animal agitation and requires human participation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through magnetic connectors that automatically attract and connect to each other when brought into proximity, eliminating the need for manual attachment. The magnetic force ensures reliable connection without requiring human participation, thereby reducing animal agitation while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection with magnetic attraction. The magnetic field substitues for human hands in the connection process, providing both automatic engagement and secure attachment without requiring human participation.
3Ease of operation
If the leash is biased to retract automatically, then retraction is simplified, but the leash cannot be maintained in extended position without active intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic retraction system where the connector can be positioned in two states: retracted into the housing for automatic retraction, or extended outside the housing for maintained extension. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt between automatic retraction mode and extended position maintenance without requiring active intervention.
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 reduces animal agitation and owner injury by automating the connection and disconnection process, maintaining the leash in an extended position until intentionally retracted, enhancing safety and convenience during walks.
Implementation Method 1
corresponding magnets on the leash connector and collar connector may attract the connectors to one another and cause the two connectors to position themselves in a configuration which enables the structure of the two connectors to securely mate to one another
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for tethering an animal is disclosed. The apparatus has a leash housing, a retractor assembly contained within the leash housing, a tether with a first end connected to the retractor assembly and a second end extensible through a leash connector cavity opening disposed in the leash housing and connected to a leash connector, and at least one leash connector release that is capable of being depressed by a leash connector cavity wall when the leash connector is retracted into the leash connector cavity.