Slide Fastener End Stop Protrusion Core Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing end stops for slide fasteners have inadequate attachment strength to the core, and reliable positioning of the core during crimping is challenging, leading to potential strength decreases and inferior appearance.

Innovation Solution

The end stop design features a base with protrusions that extend inward beyond the opening-side ends, providing a larger contact area and inclined surfaces to securely position and crimp the core, ensuring strong fixation even with a small end stop size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the end stop size is reduced, then the device complexity is reduced, but the attachment strength to the core decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend stop sizeVSAvoidattachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating protrusions at specific locations within the receptacle that concentrate the crimping force. These protrusions are positioned to contact the core at critical points, providing enhanced local attachment strength without requiring an increase in overall end stop size. The protrusions create localized high-stress zones that improve bonding between the end stop and core.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the third dimension by extending protrusions inward from the opening-side ends of the legs into the receptacle space. This vertical dimension allows the protrusions to contact the core from multiple directions, creating a three-dimensional engagement that maximizes attachment strength within a compact footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the crimping force is increased to improve attachment strength, then the attachment strength improves, but the core positioning reliability deteriorates due to potential misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidcore positioning reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by providing protrusions that guide and pre-position the core before the actual crimping operation. These protrusions make initial contact with the core to establish proper alignment and positioning, ensuring that subsequent crimping force is applied to a correctly positioned core, thereby maintaining both attachment strength and positioning reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions act as intermediaries between the end stop structure and the core. They facilitate the transfer of positioning function from the end stop to the core, ensuring accurate alignment before the crimping force is applied. This intermediary mechanism decouples the positioning function from the crimping force application, allowing independent optimization of both functions.

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

This design enhances the attachment strength and maintains a firm contact area after crimping, effectively preventing core slippage and ensuring reliable positioning, thus improving the overall performance and appearance of the end stop.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of protrusions provided in the receptacle adjacent to the opening-side ends, the pair of protrusions protruding inward further than opposing surfaces of the pair of opening-side ends

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the core is held due to pressing, which is caused by deforming legs of a lower plate toward an upper plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the core is held due to pressing, which is caused by deforming legs of a lower plate toward an upper plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasticity: Plasticity

Implementation Method 4

the attachment strength of the end stop for a slide fastener to the core be increased due to increased concern for safety. In particular, as for the end stops disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is preferred that the amount of crimping the core be increased more reliably

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2517596B1Stop member for slide fastener
Publication Date: 2014.09.03 YKK CORP
  • EP2517596B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2517596B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2517596B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

There is provided an end stop for a slide fastener, in which the attachment strength can be ensured irrespective of the size of the end stop, and a core can be firmly set to a setting position with respect to the end stop. The end stop 40 has a base 41 and a pair of legs 42 which extend from the base 41, and the end stop 40 is formed with a receptacle 43 which is surrounded by the base 41 and the pair of legs 42. The pair of legs 42 have a pair of opening-side ends 44 which are provided opposite to the base 41, and a pair of protrusions 48 which are provided in the receptacle 43 adjacent to the opening-side ends 44, the pair of protrusions 48 protruding inward further than opposing surfaces 44a of the pair of opening-side ends.