Rotary Push-Pull Rope Retractions With Integrated Ratchet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary push-pull rope retractors are complex, costly, and prone to structural instability, leading to inconvenient and frequent loosening of shoelaces during movement, especially in sports or when carrying items.
Innovation Solution
A rotary push-pull rope retractor design featuring a top cover, follower, seat, control member, and base, with a ratchet and pawl mechanism that allows for easy switching between meshing and free modes, enabling convenient tightening and loosening of ropes through a simple and efficient mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rotary push-pull rope retractors are used, then rope tightening function is provided, but the structure becomes complex with numerous accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the ratchet wheel and follower into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate accessories. The control member directly interacts with the pawl and ratchet wheel assembly, merging multiple functions into unified structures that reduce overall device complexity while maintaining the rope tightening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The follower is designed with dual functionality: it acts as both a following component for the control member and as the ratchet wheel itself. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate ratchet wheel and follower components, simplifying the overall structure while preserving both the tightening and locking functions.
2Ease of operation
If traditional rotary push-pull rope retractors are used, then rope tightening function is provided, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the ratchet wheel and follower into one integrated component, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This integration directly lowers manufacturing complexity and associated costs while maintaining the essential rope tightening function.
3Ease of operation
If traditional rotary push-pull rope retractors are used, then rope tightening function is provided, but structural stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design of the ratchet wheel and follower creates a more rigid and stable structure with fewer connection points potential failure modes. The unified structure eliminates gaps and weak interfaces between separate components, enhancing overall structural stability while preserving the tightening function.
4Ease of operation
If traditional rotary push-pull rope retractors are used, then rope tightening function is provided, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent's integrated ratchet wheel-follower assembly reduces the number of discrete parts that need to be sequentially assembled. By pre-integrating these components, the assembly process is simplified and accelerated, directly improving productivity while maintaining the rope tightening capability.
5Ease of operation
If traditional rotary push-pull rope retractors are used, then rope tightening function is provided, but scrap rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design reduces the number of assembly steps and connection points, thereby reducing the probability of assembly errors and defects. Fewer separate components mean fewer opportunities for manufacturing defects, directly lowering the scrap rate while preserving the essential tightening function.
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 design allows for easy control of rope tightness and loosening, reducing accidents caused by loose shoelaces by providing a user-friendly method to manage rope tension, enhancing convenience and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member and a pawl connected with the elastic member; the control member is configured for pushing the pawl to move away from the ratchet and compress the elastic member to separate the pawl from the ratchet
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary push-pull rope retractor includes a top cover, a follower, a seat, a control member and a base. The seat is fixedly installed on the base. An upper surface of the seat is provided with an elastic member and a pawl connected with the elastic member. The follower includes a ratchet and a rope bin. The pawl is located on one side of the ratchet and engaged with the ratchet. The control member is slidably arranged on the upper surface of the seat, and the control member can push the pawl to move away from the ratchet and compress the elastic member to separate the pawl from the ratchet, so as to switch the meshing mode or the free mode of the rotary push-pull rope retractor. The top cover is arranged above the seat, and the top cover and the follower are connected in linkage.