Angled Hook-and-Loop Fastener for Stable Injection Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hook-and-loop fastener connectors in motor vehicles face issues with stability due to adhesive bonding methods, which can detach under high temperature and humidity or mechanical stress, and existing injection molding processes result in vertically arranged hooks that are difficult to remove and may not provide a secure connection.
Innovation Solution
An injection molding apparatus with angled mold halves allows for easy removal of hooks and forms hooks and hook heads within one plane, enabling a stable and detachable hook-and-loop connection by displacing the second mold half relative to the first, ensuring the hook head is formed completely in the second cavity and the hook foot in the first, with the plane and longitudinal axis angled to facilitate easy demolding and a larger hook head cross section for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adhesive bonding methods are used to attach the base body with hooks to the substrate, then the fastener can be easily manufactured, but the connection becomes unstable under high temperature, humidity, or mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical/thermal adhesive bonding system with an injection molding mechanical bonding system. The base body with hooks is formed as an integral part of the substrate through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate adhesive application and curing processes. This mechanical integration provides stable connection under temperature, humidity, and mechanical stress while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single-step molding process.
2Ease of manufacture
If hooks are formed vertically on the base plate, then the injection molding process can be simplified, but the hooks become difficult to remove and may not provide a secure connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric hook geometry where the hook head has a larger cross-sectional area than the hook foot, and the hooks are arranged at specific angles relative to the base plate. This asymmetric design allows the hooks to be easily removed from the mold during demolding while maintaining secure interlocking engagement with the loop element during use. The angular arrangement and size differential prevent hooks from becoming stuck in the mold while ensuring reliable fastening performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A hook-and-loop fastener connector having a plurality of hooks (7) arranged on a base plate (16). The hooks (7) exhibit a hook foot (8) and a hook head (9). The hook foot (8) and hook head (9) are arranged within one plane. The plane (10) and the base plate (16) are angled to each other at an angle (ß) greater than 90°.