Reclosable Fastener Riser Spacer for Automotive Gap Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reclosable fastening systems, such as 3M™ Dual Lock™ and Velcro® hook and loop products, are limited in their overall height or thickness, leading to uneven applications and gaps between substrates, particularly in automotive applications.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable fastener riser/spacer device with predetermined heights, fabricated through extrusion of materials like ABS or polypropylene, which includes mating channel members and securement means like hot-melt glue or sonic welding to increase the usable height of fastening systems by filling gaps between external substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional reclosable fastening systems are used, then the fastening function is provided, but the overall height or thickness is limited causing gaps and uneven appearance between substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate components: a base fastener element and an adjustable spacer element. This segmentation allows the spacer to be independently sized to fill gaps between substrates, enabling the fastening system to accommodate varying height requirements while maintaining a uniform attachment surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an additional dimensional element (the spacer) in the height dimension. By adding this intermediate component with adjustable thickness, the system can bridge gaps between substrates that vary in height, transforming a two-dimensional fastening problem into a three-dimensional solution that maintains surface uniformity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the height of reclosable fasteners is increased to fill gaps, then versatility in applications is improved, but the structural complexity of the fastening system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components (base fastener and spacer) that can be independently selected and combined. This allows versatility to be achieved through component selection rather than designing increasingly complex single-piece fasteners, thereby managing structural complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary element between the substrate and the fastener. This mediator component simplifies the overall structure by handling the height adjustment function separately, allowing the fastener itself to remain relatively simple while achieving versatility through the combination of spacer + fastener.
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 device enhances the versatility of reclosable fastening systems by increasing their usable height, ensuring a uniform and secure attachment between substrates, eliminating creases and folds, and allowing for more applications.
Implementation Method 1
softening plastic in an extruder as said plastic is forced though said extruder by an extruder screw toward a die; shaping said softened plastic in said die
Implementation Method 2
securement means like hot-melt glue or sonic welding
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic spacer/riser to increase usable height of a reclosable fastening system, such as 3M™ Dual Lock™ or Velcro® hook and loop products. The spacer/riser is adapted to be held in place on an external substrate with hot-melt glues sonic welds, pressure-sensitive adhesives, acrylic foam tape, or screws.