Tie Down Assembly With Friction-Controlled Ring Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing variations in metal tie downs can result in excessive or insufficient friction between the ring and clasp, leading to rattling and inconsistent rotational control, which existing metal tie downs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A tie down assembly featuring a clasp and ring made of metal, with a support coupler made of a softer material like plastic, that includes ring engagement members with resilient clips or C-shaped sleeves to frictionally control the rotation of the ring, providing consistent rotational operation and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal clasps and metal rings are used for tie down assembly, then strength and robustness are improved, but manufacturing variations cause inconsistent friction leading to rattling and unreliable rotational control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines metal components (clasp and ring) with a plastic support coupler to create a composite tie down assembly. The metal parts provide strength and robustness, while the plastic support coupler provides frictional control to eliminate rattling and ensure consistent rotational operation, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If metal components are used for tie down assembly, then durability is improved, but manufacturing variations result in too little or too much friction between ring and clasp
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic support coupler acts as an intermediary component between the metal ring and metal clasp. It mediates the interaction by providing consistent frictional control, compensating for manufacturing variations in the metal components and ensuring reliable rotational control throughout the product lifecycle.
3Stability of the object's composition
If metal ring and clasp are used, then structural integrity is improved, but the ring rattles or seizes up due to friction variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of friction variations (which cause rattling) into a beneficial controlled friction mechanism. The plastic support coupler is designed to provide optimal friction that prevents rattling while maintaining smooth rotational control, transforming the problem into a solution.
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 controls rotational motion, eliminating or minimizing rattling and ensuring consistent operation despite manufacturing variations, while maintaining the robustness of metal components.
Implementation Method 1
The support coupler frictionally controls rotation of the ring with respect to the clasp
Data Source
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AI summary
A tie down assembly (200) includes a clasp (101), a ring (102) that is rotatably coupled to the clasp, and a support coupler (202) that is coupled to the ring. The support coupler frictionally controls rotation of the ring with respect to the clasp.