Electric Slider Fastener External Power and Solar Self-Powering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric slide fastener systems face issues such as manual operation requirements, unreliable battery power, and difficulty in maintaining slider positions, with existing solutions not fully addressing these challenges.

Innovation Solution

An electric slide fastener system with a power supply mounted on the slider, utilizing conductive parts on the fastener tapes and flexible contact parts to enable external power feeding, including a solar panel for self-powering, and a control unit for automatic operation and position control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a battery is installed in the slider to enable automatic operation, then the slider can operate automatically, but the battery needs to be replaced when depleted and cannot be reliably maintained at stopped positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic operationVSAvoidpower supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical battery-powered system with an external power supply system. The slider is driven by a drive wheel that engages with drive teeth on the slider, powered by an external motor rather than an internal battery. This eliminates battery replacement issues while maintaining automatic operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an external power supply as an intermediary between the power source and the slider. The external motor drives the drive wheel, which in turn drives the slider through mechanical engagement. This intermediary system provides reliable power without requiring batteries to be installed in the slider.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual operation is required to power on the slider, then the system structure can be simpler, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic power-on functionality where the slider automatically activates when the drive wheel engages with the drive teeth. The system self-starts without requiring manual power-on operations, improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple system structure through automatic control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conductive parts are added to the fastener tapes for external power feeding, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive parts on the fastener tapes serve multiple functions: they provide electrical conduction for power feeding to the slider, and they maintain the structural integrity of the fastener system. By making the conductive parts multi-functional, the patent improves power supply reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive parts are integrated into the fastener tapes in a homogeneous manner, where the conductive material is incorporated into the existing tape structure rather than being added as a separate complex component. This integration approach maintains simplicity while enabling reliable power conduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

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 system operates reliably and automatically, with stable power supply and precise position control, enhancing usability and convenience by allowing remote control and self-sustaining power through external or solar power sources.

Implementation Method 1

the power feed mechanism includes a solar panel arranged on the slider

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

the pair of fastener tapes includes conductive parts that are connected to the power supply and arranged along the respective element rows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10076163B2Electric slide fastener system

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 YKK CORP

AI summary

To provide an electric slide fastener system that can operate appropriately according to a state of an electric slider. An electric slide fastener system includes a slide fastener chain that includes a pair of fastener tapes and element rows including a plurality of elements fixed to the respective fastener tapes, a slider that moves with respect to the slide fastener chain, a power supply that supplies power for the slider to move with respect to the slide fastener chain, and a driving part to which the power is supplied from the power supply and that moves the slider with respect to the slide fastener chain. The elements pass through the slider to open or close the element rows. The slider is powered from outside.