Directional Loop Fastener for Automotive Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional loop surface fasteners engage unnecessarily during positioning, leading to inaccurate placement and increased labor in attaching large objects, such as ceiling and wall materials, especially in automotive vehicle production lines, where precise and quick positioning is critical.

Innovation Solution

A loop surface fastener design featuring looped engaging elements formed from multi-filament yarns with specific density and orientation, combined with a male molded surface fastener, prevents engagement during positioning while achieving strong engagement after final fastening, using a base fabric with ground warp and weft yarns and a back coat resin to maintain element alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional loop surface fasteners are used for positioning, then the fastening operation can be performed, but unnecessary engagement occurs leading to inaccurate positioning and increased labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating directional asymmetry in the looped engaging elements. The loops are configured to have different engagement characteristics depending on their orientation - they resist engagement when approached from certain directions during positioning, but allow strong engagement when properly aligned during final fastening. This directional sensitivity enables accurate positioning without unnecessary engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs asymmetry in the geometric configuration of the looped engaging elements. The loops are formed with specific orientation relative to the base fabric, creating an asymmetric structure that exhibits different mechanical behaviors based on the approach direction. This asymmetric design prevents accidental engagement during positioning while ensuring reliable engagement during final fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Loss of time

If surface fasteners are directly strongly attached without positioning, then positioning time is saved, but the attached position may deviate from accurate position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning timeVSAvoidattachment position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by designing the looped engaging elements to provide inherent positioning guidance during the approach phase. The directional engagement characteristics allow the fasteners to self-align and establish accurate positioning automatically as they are brought together, eliminating the need for separate manual positioning operations before final fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional loop surface fasteners engage during positioning, then positioning can be confirmed, but disengagement and repositioning requires huge labor and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning confirmationVSAvoidattachment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs preliminary anti-action by designing the looped engaging elements to preemptively prevent unnecessary engagement during the positioning phase. The asymmetric geometry creates a mechanical barrier that stops accidental engagement before it occurs, eliminating the need for subsequent disengagement and repositioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Measurement precision

If production line must stop for positioning failures, then accurate positioning can be achieved, but production efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidproduction line efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10201214B2Loop surface fastener having excellent positioning function

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 KURARAY FASTENING CO LTD

AI summary

A loop surface fastener in which numerous looped engaging elements formed from loop yarns inserted in parallel to ground warp yarns are provided upright on one side of a base fabric formed from ground warp yarns and ground weft yarns satisfies all the following requirements 1) to 3). 1) The loop yarn is a multi-filament yarn formed by bundling 5 to 9 filaments of 30 to 45 decitex. 2) The density of the looped engaging elements is in a range of 100 to 200/cm2. 3) Loop surfaces of the looped engaging elements are substantially facing in the same direction and the loop surface facing direction is a ground weft yarn direction.