Airtight Zipper Three-Stage Coupling Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Airtight type zippers face challenges in maintaining airtightness and withstanding air pressure, particularly in gas storage, as they tend to be cumbersome for gas outflow and may not maintain a sealed state effectively when fastened.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a three-stage coupling structure with first and second zipper members featuring alternately formed protrusions and grooves, closely joined rails, and a slider for sliding coupling, along with stoppers and frames for enhanced rigidity and sealing force, utilizing materials with specific Shore A hardness for improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a zipper is designed to facilitate gas inflow, then gas flow capability is improved, but gas outflow becomes cumbersome requiring reverse direction flow
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the slider body, the pull tab, and the interlocking teeth. This segmentation allows the gas flow path to be separated from the mechanical fastening function, enabling gas to flow through dedicated channels in the slider without interfering with the zipper's coupling mechanism, thus simplifying both inflow and outflow processes
2Reliability
If a zipper is designed for strong fastening force to maintain airtightness, then sealing capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper employs a dynamic slider mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The slider includes a movable tongue element that can be easily actuated by pulling the tab, dynamically changing the engagement state of the teeth. This dynamic design allows strong fastening force to be generated when closed, while maintaining ease of operation through simple tab pulling action for both fastening and unfastening
3Ease of operation
If the zipper structure is simplified for ease of operation, then operational convenience is improved, but coupling force capable of withstanding air pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper teeth and slider components are designed as composite structures combining different material properties. The teeth are formed with interlocking geometries that distribute air pressure forces across multiple contact points, while the slider material provides both structural strength and smooth sliding characteristics. This composite approach maintains high coupling force capability without compromising operational ease
Data Source
AI summary
An airtight type zipper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first zipper member in which first zipper protrusions and first zipper grooves are alternately and continuously formed and a second zipper member coupled to or separated from the first zipper member in a sliding manner, and includes a first closely joined rail formed to be protruded in a continuous direction of the first zipper protrusion and the first zipper grooves and a second closely joined rail formed to be protruded from the first closely joined rail in a shape corresponding to the first closely joined rail, and in which a first closely joined groove and a second closely joined groove, that are mutually coupled to the first closely joined rail and the second closely joined rail when coupled with the first zipper member, are formed in the second zipper member.