Textile Connector with Angularly Offset Seam for Harness Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile connectors used in work at height applications, such as climbing harnesses, face challenges in achieving homogeneous sheath formation and efficient connection between components due to complex manufacturing processes and rigidity issues, leading to difficulties in use.
Innovation Solution
A textile connector design featuring a wire element forming multiple loops within a tubular textile sheath, with a seam that crosses the textile element multiple times to create angularly offset connections, providing mechanical resistance and efficient connection points, and a manufacturing method involving winding loops through a tubular textile element and sewing the ends to form a tubular ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a linear seam extends over the entire internal face of the ring to join strap ends, then the connector achieves structural closure, but the sheath homogeneity deteriorates and rigidity zones are created that complicate use
Solution Approach 1:
The seam is segmented into discrete connection points rather than a continuous linear seam. The thread passes through the textile element at multiple angularly offset positions around the circumference, creating separate reinforcement zones that preserve sheath homogeneity in non-sewn areas while providing adequate structural closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seam applies reinforcement locally at specific angular positions around the ring rather than uniformly across the entire internal face. This localized approach maintains the homogeneous appearance and flexibility of the sheath in areas between connection points while providing necessary structural integrity at the joined ends.
2Stability of the object's composition
If two ends of a strap are fixed to each other to form a closed ring, then the connector achieves structural closure, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and rigidity issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is simplified by segmenting the seam into discrete stitching operations at angularly offset positions. This allows the connector to be assembled and secured in a more straightforward manner compared to creating a continuous linear seam across the entire internal face, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural closure.
3Strength
If a continuous linear seam is used to join strap ends, then structural closure is achieved, but the seam creates rigidity zones that complicate connector use
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous linear seam is replaced with segmented stitching at discrete angular positions. This segmentation maintains the necessary strength and structural closure at the joined ends while preserving flexibility and reducing rigidity in the areas between connection points, improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcement is applied locally at specific connection points rather than continuously across the entire seam length. This localized reinforcement provides adequate strength for structural closure while maintaining the flexibility and homogeneous characteristics of the sheath in intervening areas.
Data Source
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AI summary
A textile connector (1) comprises a woven element shaped into a tubular ring and a yarn element (3) forming a plurality of loops (4) arranged within the tubular ring. The loops (4) provide mechanical strength to the textile connector (1). A seam (6) is formed by means of at least one yarn (5) passing several times through two ends of the woven element (4) to close the tubular ring. The woven element is a tubular woven element (2) defining a hole extending from a first end to a second opposite end along a longitudinal axis (A). The first end is an external end (2a) that overlaps the second end, forming an internal end (2b). The seam (6) joins the external end (2b) to the internal end (2a) and defines connections that are angularly offset from each other when viewed along the longitudinal axis (A).