Multi-directional Closure with Segmented Catch Faces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closures for garments and articles often fail to withstand forces applied in multiple radial directions without inadvertently releasing, leading to manufacturing inefficiencies and difficulties in alignment and manipulation, especially for young children and individuals with dexterity issues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-directional closure design featuring a female part with an upwardly open seat cavity and a male part with a downwardly projecting protuberance, including inwardly and outwardly depending catch faces and magnets for secure engagement in any radial direction, allowing for easy alignment and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional closures are designed to withstand high forces in a limited range of directions, then the separation force resistance is improved, but the closure can be inadvertently opened when force is applied in opposite or different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into multiple independent catch faces (at least two catch faces spaced apart circumferentially) on the female part, each capable of engaging with corresponding protrusions on the male part. This segmentation allows the closure to resist separation forces from multiple directions simultaneously, as each catch face can independently bear load in its specific orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch faces are positioned asymmetrically around the circumference of the female part rather than uniformly distributed. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the closure's ability to resist forces from specific directions while maintaining overall multi-directional security, allowing tailored reinforcement in directions where separation forces are most likely to occur.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional closures are not designed as omni-directional, then the manufacturing cost and time are reduced, but the closures require careful alignment during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The female part with multiple catch faces serves multiple functions: it can engage with the male part from various orientations, resist separation forces in multiple directions, and tolerate misalignment during manufacturing. This universal design eliminates the need for precise alignment procedures while maintaining closure effectiveness, as the catch faces can accommodate a range of angular positions.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional closures are not omni-directional, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the closures are harder to align and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The closure design allows the male and female parts to self-align during assembly. The multiple catch faces on the female part can engage with corresponding protrusions on the male part regardless of the exact approach angle, enabling users to easily connect the closure without requiring precise manual alignment or specialized tools.
4Reliability
If multiple catch faces are added to achieve multi-directional engagement, then the closure security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire closure structure complex, the invention applies local quality by adding catch faces only at specific circumferential positions on the female part. Each catch face is a simple localized feature that engages with a corresponding protrusion, providing enhanced multi-directional security without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire closure assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-directional closure for securing two pieces together includes a male part and a female part. The male part has a central, main protuberance and a plurality of outer protuberances. The female part has a seat cavity including a plurality of inwardly depending catch faces. The female part further includes a plurality of outwardly depending catch faces. In embodiments, the male part and the female part may each be provided with a magnet to align the main protuberance with the seat cavity. The closure is capable of withstanding high levels of radial forces in all radial directions without being disconnected. This allows for easier use of the closure and also greatly facilitates manufacture of items using the closure.