Anchoring device with directional release and attachment capability and protection against inadvertent release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring devices are susceptible to inadvertent release, particularly in applications like infant food bowls, where uncoordinated grips can accidentally actuate the movable member, leading to unintended detachment from a surface.
Innovation Solution
The anchoring device incorporates a lower base member and an upper movable member with a protective member that covers exposed areas prone to unintended manipulation, preventing unwanted venting of the communication port, and features a defined gripping region for intentional lifting, ensuring secure attachment and directional release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the movable member is made accessible for manipulation, then the device can be released when needed, but it becomes susceptible to inadvertent release from uncoordinated grips
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member is segmented into two functional zones: a gripping region that is accessible for intentional manipulation, and a protected region that is covered by the protective member. This segmentation allows the device to be easily released when intended while preventing inadvertent activation from uncoordinated grips on covered areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member acts as an intermediary element between the movable member and the user's hand. It mediates the interaction by allowing intentional gripping forces to be transmitted to the gripping region while blocking accidental forces from reaching other parts of the movable member that could cause inadvertent release.
2Reliability
If exposed areas of the movable member are made non-gripping, then inadvertent release is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member is nested within the base member structure, forming an integrated assembly. This nesting approach allows the protective member to be incorporated into the existing device architecture without requiring separate mounting structures or additional complex mechanisms, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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 effectively minimizes the likelihood of inadvertent release by protecting non-gripping areas of the device, ensuring secure attachment to a surface and preventing unintended detachment, even under external forces or uncoordinated interactions.
Implementation Method 1
a seal member on the base member configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a periphery of a controlled pressure zone between the seal member and the reference surface
Data Source
AI summary
An anchoring device having directional release and attachment capability includes a lower base member and an upper movable member. The movable member is wholly or partially nested within the base member and movable relative thereto. The movable member includes a gripping region not covered by the base member for intentional manipulation and lifting of the movable member. A seal member is configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a controlled pressure zone between the seal member and the reference surface. A communication port can be opened and closed via actuation of the movable member to selectively vent or isolate the controlled pressure zone. A protective member covers one or more areas of the movable member not covered by the base member and not part of the gripping region in order to prevent unwanted venting of the communication port.