Retractor Tethering System with Anti-Friction Eyelet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tethering devices for personal communication devices like smartphones are either insecure, inconvenient to use, or prone to entanglement, and existing retractable tethers do not efficiently attach to phones or work with their holstering systems.
Innovation Solution
A retractor system with a housing and internal spring that allows the tether line to extend and retract smoothly, featuring a connector system for secure attachment and an anti-friction mechanism like a funnel-shaped eyelet to reduce wear and improve usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retractable tether is used for personal articles, then the tether can be extended and retracted automatically, but the tether becomes bulky and does not efficiently attach to phones or work with holstering systems
Solution Approach 1:
The tether line is nested within the retractor housing, with the spool containing the line inside the compact housing. This nesting allows the tether to be retractable while maintaining a small form factor that can be integrated into phone holsters without being bulky.
Solution Approach 2:
The line opening is positioned at an angle to the front surface of the housing, allowing the line to extend in a direction that optimizes both retraction efficiency and attachment to phone holsters. This angular arrangement solves the problem of the line not working effectively with traditional holstering systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the line extends at an angle different from the retraction direction, then the tether can work with holstering systems, but the line experiences wear at the line opening
Solution Approach 1:
An anti-friction element is introduced as an intermediary component at the line opening. This element mediates between the line and the housing, reducing friction and wear while allowing the line to extend at the necessary angle for holster compatibility. The anti-friction element protects the line from direct contact with the housing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the physical parameters at the line opening by introducing a low-friction surface or bearing mechanism. This parameter change reduces the coefficient of friction between the line and the housing, thereby reducing wear while maintaining the angular extension capability needed for holster integration.
3Ease of operation
If a coiled lanyard is used to reduce entanglement, then the tether length can be extended and reduced, but the tether becomes very long and obtrusive when the phone is in the holstered position
Solution Approach 1:
The tether system uses a dynamic retraction mechanism where the line automatically extends and retracts based on the phone's position and movement. When the phone is in the holster, the line retracts to a minimal length. When the phone is removed, the line extends as needed. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for excessive length while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor mechanism provides self-service by automatically controlling the line length based on usage conditions. The spring-loaded spool system self-regulates the line extension and retraction without user intervention, ensuring the line is only as long as needed at any given moment, thus avoiding obtrusiveness when the phone is holstered.
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 provides secure, convenient access to personal devices while minimizing wear on the tether line, ensuring reliable operation and extended lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
A retractor system with a housing and internal spring that allows the tether line to extend and retract smoothly
Implementation Method 2
an anti-friction mechanism like a funnel-shaped eyelet to reduce wear and improve usability
Data Source
AI summary
Retractor systems are disclosed that reduce the wear on the retractor line from repeated extensions and retractions. Some embodiments comprise a retractor system having a retractor with a retractor housing having a front surface. A line and a line retraction mechanism can be included within the housing, with the line retraction mechanism urging retraction of the line in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the front surface. A line opening is included in the front surface through which the line extends from the housing at a second direction that is different from the first direction. A personal article attached to the line, and an anti-friction mechanism is included at said line opening to provide a smooth surface upon which the line rides when extending from the housing. Some anti-friction mechanisms comprise an eyelet proximate to said line opening and having a smooth surface that can take many different shapes and sizes, such as a funnel or hour glass shaped surface.