Ceramic Slide Fastener Component Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide fastener components lack enhanced wear resistance, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and acid/alkali resistance, particularly when made from ceramic materials, which are not commonly used due to mechanical fragility and difficulty in attaching them to fastener tapes.

Innovation Solution

A ceramic part is produced separately via molding and firing, and then indirectly attached to the fastener tape, providing a novel design with improved wear resistance, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and acid/alkali resistance by incorporating zirconia or other inorganic pigments, and can be configured as a shell or fragment of the fastener element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ceramic material is used for fastener elements, then wear resistance, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, acid resistance, and alkali resistance are improved, but mechanical fragility increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener element is divided into two distinct parts: a ceramic part (480) providing wear and chemical resistance, and a resin attachment portion (490) providing mechanical flexibility and ease of attachment. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while overcoming the limitations of using pure ceramic material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining ceramic material with resin material. The ceramic part provides superior wear resistance, heat resistance, and chemical resistance, while the resin attachment portion provides mechanical flexibility and ease of attachment to the fastener tape, achieving a balance between durability and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If ceramic material is used for fastener elements, then heat resistance and corrosion resistance are improved, but mechanical fragility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidmechanical fragility

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener element is divided into two distinct parts: a ceramic part (480) providing wear and chemical resistance, and a resin attachment portion (490) providing mechanical flexibility and ease of attachment. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while overcoming the limitations of using pure ceramic material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining ceramic material with resin material. The ceramic part provides superior wear resistance, heat resistance, and chemical resistance, while the resin attachment portion provides mechanical flexibility and ease of attachment to the fastener tape, achieving a balance between durability and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If ceramic part is produced separately and then attached to fastener tape, then design flexibility and chemical resistance are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener element is divided into two distinct parts: a ceramic part (480) providing wear and chemical resistance, and a resin attachment portion (490) providing mechanical flexibility and ease of attachment. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while overcoming the limitations of using pure ceramic material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resin attachment portion (490) serves as an intermediary between the ceramic part (480) and the fastener tape (300). It facilitates the connection between the ceramic component and the textile substrate, enabling easy attachment through methods such as injection molding while maintaining the benefits of both ceramic and textile materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ceramic part enhances the durability and chemical resistance of slide fastener components, offering superior performance in harsh environments while maintaining a new design aesthetic, with reduced weight and improved mechanical properties.

Implementation Method 1

The ceramic part can be obtained at least via molding and firing of ceramic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolding:

Implementation Method 2

The ceramic part can be obtained at least via molding and firing of ceramic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiring:

Data Source

PatentEP3403520B1Ceramic component, fastener stringer containing same, and method for producing fastener stringer

Publication Date: 2021.07.07 YKK CORP

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Figure 4

AI summary

A ceramic part (480) is directly or indirectly attachable to a tape side-edge portion (310) of a fastener tape (300) of a slide fastener (90). The ceramic part (480) constitutes an entirety of a component part (400, 700) of the slide fastener (90) that is to be secured to the tape side-edge portion (310) of the fastener tape (300), or a shell of the component part (400, 700), or a fragment of the component part (400, 700).