Slide Fastener Element Coating Uniformity via Electrodeposition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coating slide fastener elements face challenges in achieving uniform coating thickness and are costly due to the need for conductive wires and organic solvent-based materials, which complicate inventory management and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A fastener stringer design with insulation properties on one side edge, where elements have a cured coating film formed on 50% or more of their exposed surface using electrodeposition coating without incorporating conductive wires, allowing for uniform film thickness and using aqueous coating materials that can be washed off, reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If roll coating method is used to apply lacquer to elements, then the coating process is simple, but it is difficult to form a coating film of required thickness on the entire exposed surface of elements with small and complicated shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical roll coating system with an electrostatic field-based coating system. By applying a negative voltage to the elements, coating material particles with positive charge are attracted and deposited uniformly across the entire exposed surface, including complex geometries that mechanical rollers cannot reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the coating process from mechanical contact (roll coating) to electrostatic attraction. By controlling the voltage parameter (negative voltage applied to elements) and the charge state of coating particles, uniform coating deposition is achieved on elements of various shapes and sizes.
2Ease of manufacture
If aqueous coating material is used in roll coating method, then the coating material can be cleaned easily, but the coating film is easily eluted by washing with water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical roll coating with electrostatic field coating. This allows the use of aqueous coating materials that can be easily cleaned from the fastener tape, while the electrostatic deposition ensures the coating film adheres strongly to the elements and is not easily eluted by water.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic field acts as an intermediary that enables the use of aqueous coating materials. The charged particles are attracted to and deposited on the elements by the electric field, creating a durable coating that resists water elution, while any excess material can be easily washed off the tape.
3Manufacturing precision
If electrodeposition coating is used to coat the entire exposed surface of elements, then uniform coating can be achieved, but it is necessary to incorporate conductive wire in the fastener tape
Solution Approach 1:
The elements themselves serve as the conductive component for electrodeposition coating. By applying a negative voltage directly to the metallic elements, they become the electrode that attracts positively charged coating particles, eliminating the need for separate conductive wires in the fastener tape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the conductive function from the fastener tape structure and assigns it to the elements themselves. The elements serve dual purposes: as the fastening mechanism and as the conductive electrode for coating deposition, simplifying the overall system.
4Manufacturing precision
If conductive wire is incorporated in fastener tape for electrodeposition coating, then the entire exposed surface of elements can be coated, but the number of steps and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elements serve multiple functions: they provide the fastening mechanism and simultaneously act as the conductive electrode for electrodeposition coating. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate conductive wires, reducing material costs and production steps while achieving complete coating coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fastening function and the electrostatic electrode function into a single component (the elements). This consolidation eliminates redundant materials and steps, reducing production costs while maintaining complete coating coverage on all exposed surfaces.
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
This approach ensures high uniformity of the coating film thickness, stabilizes the quality of slide fasteners with advanced finishes, and reduces production costs by eliminating the need for conductive wires and simplifying inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
a row of elements attached to a fastener tape, at least one side edge of the fastener tape having insulation properties... wherein cured coating film is formed in 50% or more of a total number of the elements
Implementation Method 2
electrodeposition coating is then performed
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener stringer includes a row of elements on which cured coating film is formed at sites where it is difficult to be coated by a roll coating method, preferably over the entire exposed surface, without incorporating any conductive wire in a fastener tape. A fastener stringer includes a row of elements and a fastener tape, at least one side edge of the fastener tape having insulation properties, the row of the elements being attached to the one side edge of the fastener tape, wherein each element includes a pair of leg portions and a head portion, the head portion having an engaging region for engaging with an opposing element when constructing a fastener chain, and wherein cured coating film is formed at least at a center portion in a front and back direction of the fastener tape on an end surface of the head portions.