Polyamide Fastener Component with Localized Dyed Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide fastener components made of resin face challenges in maintaining high strength while achieving efficient manufacturing and color reproducibility during dyeing, often resulting in color unevenness when using reduced dye amounts.
Innovation Solution
A component for fasteners is developed using a polyamide resin composition with reinforcing fibers, forming a dyed layer of specific thickness and color specifications, which includes glass fiber and a pigment with controlled refractive index and hardness, to ensure high strength and uniform color reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the amount of dye used is reduced to enhance manufacturing efficiency, then dyeing time is shortened and productivity is improved, but color unevenness occurs and color reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dyed layer with specific thickness (5-50 μm) concentrated at the surface region of the molded article. This localized dye concentration ensures uniform color reproduction in the visible surface area while using minimal dye overall, thus improving both color reproducibility and dyeing efficiency. The dyed layer is formed by controlling dye penetration depth through surface treatment or diffusion control, ensuring that the color is uniformly distributed in the surface region without requiring excessive dye throughout the entire article.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the dyed layer thickness to a specific range (5-50 μm) and controlling the dye concentration gradient from the surface inward. By adjusting these parameters - particularly the depth of dye penetration and the concentration distribution - the patent achieves uniform color reproduction with reduced dye consumption. The parameter optimization allows short dyeing times while maintaining excellent color consistency, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
2Productivity
If a thin dyed layer is formed to reduce dye consumption and improve efficiency, then dyeing time is reduced and productivity increases, but the strength of the component may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the dyeing process in a specific surface region (5-50 μm depth) rather than treating the entire molded article uniformly. This localized approach ensures that the dyed layer provides sufficient surface coloration and aesthetic function while minimizing the volume of material exposed to dye and potential strength-degrading conditions. The reinforced fiber structure in the bulk material remains unaffected, maintaining component strength while achieving efficient dyeing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing dyeing only in the necessary surface region (5-50 μm depth) rather than penetrating the entire thickness of the molded article. This partial dyeing approach is sufficient for achieving the desired color appearance and aesthetic function while significantly reducing dye consumption and dyeing time. The reinforcement structure in the deeper regions remains intact and unaffected, preserving component strength while improving productivity.
3Strength
If reinforcing fibers are added to maintain high strength, then component strength is improved, but dyeing uniformity and color reproducibility become more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the molded article into two functional zones: a surface region (5-50 μm depth) dedicated to coloration and aesthetics, and a bulk region containing the reinforcing fiber structure dedicated to mechanical strength. This spatial segmentation allows the surface layer to be optimized for uniform dyeing and color reproduction while the underlying fiber-reinforced structure maintains component strength. The dyeing process is confined to the surface zone, avoiding interference with the reinforcement structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dyed layer with specific thickness (5-50 μm) at the surface region, separate from the reinforcing fiber structure in the bulk material. This localized coloration approach ensures uniform color reproduction in the visible surface area while the reinforcing fibers in the deeper regions provide structural strength without interfering with dyeing uniformity. The separation of functions - coloration at the surface, structuring in the bulk - resolves the contradiction between strength and color reproducibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A component for fasteners, including a molded component formed of a polyamide resin composition including reinforcing fiber, wherein a dyed layer being dyed inward from a surface of the molded component is disposed, and the thickness of the dyed layer is 30 to 100 μm.