String End Cover Grip Structure to Prevent Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing string end covers lack a design that facilitates easy gripping, particularly when wearing gloves or experiencing reduced grip strength, limiting the ability to apply sufficient pulling force on the string.

Innovation Solution

The string end cover features a finger-hooking projecting portion with a first finger-hooking face and a base portion with a second finger-hooking face, forming an acute angle or arc shape to enhance grip and prevent rotation, along with a lock member and case member for secure attachment and pulling functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple flat square cylindrical shape is used for the socket, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to poor gripping performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping performanceVSAvoidshape complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The socket is designed with differentiated local features: a first finger-hooking face for initial gripping and a second finger-hooking face positioned to prevent rotation. These localized quality variations on specific surfaces enable effective gripping operations without requiring complex overall device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The two finger-hooking faces are positioned asymmetrically on the socket body, with the second face specifically located to suppress rotation when force is applied through the first face. This asymmetric arrangement creates effective leverage and rotational control during string pulling operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If the second finger-hooking face is positioned to suppress rotation, then the stability of the object's composition is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional positional constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rotational stability is achieved through local geometric arrangement rather than global structural complexity. The second finger-hooking face is positioned at a specific location on the socket to create a natural pivot point that suppresses rotation during string pulling, maintaining stability without adding complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a simple cylindrical socket design is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to insufficient grip performance under various conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip performance reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The socket incorporates locally differentiated surfaces (first and second finger-hooking faces) that provide reliable gripping performance across various conditions including glove wear. These local geometric features are integrated into the basic cylindrical form, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving grip reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The asymmetric positioning of finger-hooking faces creates a mechanically advantageous configuration that enhances grip reliability. The specific angular relationship between faces provides consistent performance under varying load conditions without requiring complex manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3459384B1String end cover
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 NIFCO INC
  • EP3459384B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3459384B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3459384B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An end cover to be attached to an end of a string is provided. The end cover includes a finger-hooking projecting portion having a first finger-hooking face, and a base portion having a second finger-hooking face, and the second finger-hooking face is provided at a position to suppress a rotation of the end cover as a support point of the first finger-hooking face when a pulling force acts on the string using the first finger-hooking face.