Slide Fastener Stop with Sloping Bottom Plate and Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide fastener stops have complex shapes, uneven surfaces, and lack automatic orientation detection, leading to reduced holding strength and a rough feel, which complicates manufacturing and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A stop with a simplified cross-sectional shape featuring a sloping bottom plate and convex protrusions on the leg members for secure attachment, a flat top plate for decoration, and an uneven member for automatic orientation detection, manufactured through pressure rolling or die casting, ensuring smooth surfaces and enhanced grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the stop has a complex shape with flanges and projections to enhance holding strength, then the attachment strength improves, but the manufacturing complexity and surface smoothness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stop is divided into functionally distinct elements: a body portion for attachment to the slider, a leg member for engagement with the pull tab, and an uneven member for orientation detection. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The uneven member is localized to a specific region of the stop body, providing orientation detection functionality only where needed. The flat surfaces are provided at locations requiring smooth contact, while the leg member contains the engagement features. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by concentrating complexity only where functionally necessary.
2Strength
If the stop has an uneven surface with deep grooves for structural integrity, then the holding strength improves, but the user comfort and smoothness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The uneven member is confined to a localized region on the stop body, while the surfaces that contact the user (such as the outer surfaces of the leg member and body) are maintained as flat and smooth. This ensures structural integrity through the uneven member while preserving user comfort through smooth contact surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop structure is segmented into regions with different surface characteristics: an uneven member region for structural engagement and flat surface regions for user comfort. This segmentation allows the holding strength function to be fulfilled by the uneven member while the flat surfaces provide a smooth tactile experience.
3Ease of manufacture
If the stop has a symmetric design for manufacturing simplicity, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the automatic orientation detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The uneven member introduces a controlled asymmetric element to the otherwise symmetric stop design. This asymmetric feature provides detectable orientation information for automatic detection systems while requiring minimal additional manufacturing complexity, as it can be formed as a simple protrusion or recess during the existing molding or machining process.
4Productivity
If the stop uses traditional die casting methods for manufacturing, then the production capability improves, but the surface smoothness and manufacturing flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stop design parameters are optimized for modern manufacturing methods such as precision molding or CNC machining, which can produce smoother surfaces and more complex geometries than traditional die casting. The simplified overall shape with localized features allows these advanced methods to be employed, improving both surface quality and manufacturing flexibility while maintaining high productivity.
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 solution provides improved holding strength, a smooth user experience, and automatic orientation detection, while simplifying the manufacturing process and maintaining decoration integrity, resulting in a more efficient and effective slide fastener stop.
Implementation Method 1
shaping a blank wire member by pressure rolling
Implementation Method 2
cutting the shaped wire member to the desired size of the stops
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A stop (4) for a slide fastener (1) comprises a top plate (10) and a bottom plate (11) linked with one another at a transversely intermediate position by an integral connecting post (12). The lower side of the top plate (10) is substantially flat, and the bottom plate (11) slopes away from the connecting post (12) to form two leg members (11a) provided with a respective end flange (13) pointing towards the top plate (10). The leg members (11a) are adapted to cooperate in use with the top plate (10) to retain the fastener tapes (2, 6) therebetween.