Invisible Zip Slider Intermediate Link Torque Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Invisible zip sliders used in garments, especially children's clothing, are prone to easy breakage due to insufficient twisting force, posing a safety risk and potential choking hazard from detached pull tabs.
Innovation Solution
The design enhances the strength of the invisible slider by incorporating a bar spring member with a locking prong and retaining member, connected via an intermediate link that pivots within a cleft of the bridge, allowing for greater torque resistance and secure attachment to the slider body, ensuring the pull tab remains connected under various forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pull tab is connected to the bridge via an intermediate link with flimsy construction to enable concealment, then the slider can be made small and discreet, but the connection becomes weak and prone to breakage under twisting force
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate link is nested within the bridge structure, with the link positioned inside the bridge's hollow body. This nesting allows the connection components to be compact and concealed within the slider body, maintaining small overall dimensions while providing structural support through the nested arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly uses composite construction combining the bridge body, intermediate link, and pull tab as integrated components. The bridge serves as both structural support and housing, while the link provides articulation, creating a composite system that achieves sufficient strength despite small size.
2Ease of operation
If the intermediate link is made flimsy to allow easy articulation, then the pull tab can move freely relative to the body, but the link becomes susceptible to breaking under torque
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate link is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to pivot and articulate freely during normal slider operation. The link can rotate and adjust its position as the slider moves along the zip tape, providing smooth operation while maintaining structural integrity through its connection to the bridge body.
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 enhanced design withstands a minimum torque of 4 inch-lbs and tension forces of 15 lbs, significantly reducing the risk of breakage and maintaining the 'invisible' slider's discreet appearance, thus enhancing safety and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a bar spring member (100) located within the cleft
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate link (80) which is held in the cleft (66) underneath the locking prong (110) in a manner enabling the link (80) to pivot relative to the body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A garment has: a pair of fabric panels each connected to a zip tape; the zip tape comprising a pair of rows of zip teeth; a zip slider, having a bridge extending upwardly and a pull tab connected to the bridge via an intermediate link; the zip slider being movable along the zip tape to interdigitate the rows of zip teeth by pulling of the pull tab; the panels provide a pair of lips extending over the zip teeth thereby to cover the slider; the intermediate link, pull tab and bridge are constructed so that rotation of the pull tab causes the intermediate link to bear against outer surfaces of the bridge.