Concealed Snap Fastener Modules for Sock Pairing Without Skin Abrasion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sock couplers with exposed female and male snap fasteners protrude, causing abrasions and lint issues, which negatively impact the aesthetics and marketability of socks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of concealed modules with silicone material and meniscus-shaped caps that support snap fasteners, allowing them to be revealed for pairing and concealed to prevent skin and clothing contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If female and male snap fasteners are attached to ankle portions of two socks and facing each other, then socks can be paired and prevented from separation, but T-shaped protrusions formed in the snap fasteners touch skin or clothing causing abrasions or lint
Solution Approach 1:
The snap fasteners are nested inside a concealment module that can be opened or closed. When closed, the snap fasteners are hidden within the module, preventing contact with skin and clothing. When opened, they are accessible for pairing socks. This nesting structure resolves the contradiction by providing both reliable pairing functionality and protection against harmful contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The concealment module acts as an intermediary between the snap fasteners and the external environment (skin/clothing). It mediates the interaction by controlling access to the snap fasteners, allowing them to perform their pairing function while preventing harmful contact with skin and clothing surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If snap fasteners always protrude outwards from ankle portion, then engagement is easy, but aesthetics of socks are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The concealment module is designed to be dynamically changeable between open and closed states. In the closed state, it maintains a smooth aesthetic appearance that does not damage sock aesthetics. In the open state, it provides easy access to snap fasteners for engagement. This dynamic structure resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and aesthetic appearance.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure includes female and male snap buttons are supported so as to be covered by left and right concealed modules fixed to one side of two socks, respectively. Thus, when the socks are not being worn, the female and male snap buttons can be exposed by an opening operation of the concealed modules to correspondingly couple the two socks to each other so that the two socks form a pair when washed, dried, and stored. When the socks are being worn, the female and male snap buttons can be covered so as not to be exposed to the outside by a closing operation of the concealed modules. Thus, it is possible to prevent protrusions of the female and male snap buttons from contacting skin and clothing on the opposite ankle.