Rotary Closure Pinion Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary closures for sports shoes and other applications have a high number of components and complex operation, making them cumbersome and prone to malfunctions, while also being costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A rotary closure design featuring a compact, low-component structure with a displaceable drive pinion that couples and decouples with internal gear toothing using a radial mounting system, allowing for easy tensioning and release via a single rotary knob, reducing the need for additional actuating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary closure uses a high number of components including locking levers and locking knobs, then secure closing and opening can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking lever and locking knob functions into a single integrated rotary knob mechanism. The rotary knob directly engages with the tensioning element through a simplified gear system, eliminating the need for separate locking components. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining the secure closing and opening functionality through a single rotational action.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary knob serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the actuating element for tensioning and the locking mechanism. By designing the knob to directly engage with the tensioning element through internal toothing, the same component performs both the locking and release operations, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a rotary closure uses a high number of components including multiple actuating elements, then secure closing and opening can be achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuating and locking functions into a single rotary knob operation. The user performs one continuous rotational action to both tension and lock the closure, eliminating the need for separate操作步骤 for locking and releasing. This single-action mechanism significantly improves ease of operation while maintaining secure closing and opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary knob mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage the locking function through its own rotational motion. The internal toothing of the knob directly interacts with the tensioning element, creating a self-locking mechanism that requires no additional actuating elements. The system serves itself by using the rotational input to simultaneously achieve both tensioning and locking.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rotary closure uses a compact design with fewer components, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the reliability of secure closing and opening may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves cost-effective manufacturing by merging multiple functions into fewer components. The integrated rotary knob eliminates the need for separate locking levers and knobs, reducing part count and assembly complexity. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while the internal toothing design ensures reliable engagement for secure closing and opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary knob is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides actuation, locking, and release functions. This universality reduces the total number of parts required, lowering manufacturing costs. The internal toothing mechanism ensures that despite the reduced component count, the closure maintains secure locking capability through the inherent mechanical engagement of the knox with the tensioning element.
4Device complexity
If a rotary closure uses a compact design with fewer components, then device complexity decreases, but the susceptibility to malfunction may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces susceptibility to malfunction by merging functions into fewer components, thereby reducing the number of potential failure points. The integrated rotary knob eliminates multiple connection interfaces between separate locking and actuating components. With fewer parts and connections, there are fewer opportunities for malfunction, while the direct engagement mechanism ensures reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary knob's multi-functional design reduces the overall component count, which directly reduces the probability of malfunction. By having a single component perform multiple functions rather than several components working together, the system eliminates potential failure modes associated with component interfaces and interactions. The simplified mechanism with internal toothing provides robust engagement that is less prone to malfunction.
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 solution provides a secure, intuitive, and cost-effective closure system with reduced susceptibility to malfunctions and manufacturing costs, enabling easy operation and secure closing and opening with minimal components.
Implementation Method 1
a first gear or wheel with internal toothing connected to the rotary knob and a rotating second gear or wheel with internal toothing connected to the tensioning roller
Implementation Method 2
The drive pinion has a mounting which can be displaced radially with respect to the drive axis for selective coupling to and uncoupling from the internal toothing of the first and second gear wheels
Implementation Method 3
a tensioning pulley mounted in a housing is provided for lacing the shoe by means of a tensioning element which is wound up therein
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a rotary closure including a housing part with an axis to which a rotary knob is attached in order to actuate a tensioning roller for a tensioning element for the rotary closure in order to wind or release the tensioning element. Further, a first gear is connected to the rotary knob and has internal toothing and a second gear is rotationally connected to the tensioning roller and has internal toothing. Additionally, a drive pinion that is coupled to the gears is provided between said first and second gears, and the drive pinion has a mounting that is configured to be radially moved relative to the drive axis in order to selectively couple the pinion to and release the pinion from the internal toothing of the respective first and second gears.