Polygonal Ring Adhesive Fastener Actuation Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Touch-and-close fasteners face a challenge in achieving a balance between high packing density and easy operability, as high actuation forces are required for interlocking engagement, which can lead to difficulties in releasing the actuated closure.
Innovation Solution
A touch-and-close fastener part with a polygonal ring arrangement of adhesive elements, where groups of adhesive elements abut adjacently in the non-actuated state, combined with 'free-standing' elements, optimizes the actuation force and holding force, allowing for high packing density with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive elements are arranged in dense packing to provide high holding force, then holding force is improved, but actuation force becomes excessively high making operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive elements are segmented into distinct groups (first groups with abutting head parts and second groups with free-standing head parts) rather than being uniformly distributed. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions: abutting elements provide structural stability and high holding force, while free-standing elements provide easy actuation, thereby resolving the contradiction between holding force and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the carrier part have different adhesive element configurations. First groups have abutting head parts that provide high holding force in specific areas, while second groups have free-standing head parts that require lower actuation force. This local differentiation allows the fastener to simultaneously achieve high holding force where needed and easy operation where required.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive elements are arranged in regular matrix pattern, then manufacturing is simplified, but interlocking engagement requires high displacement and actuation force
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive elements are arranged in an asymmetric pattern rather than a regular matrix. The alternating first and second groups create an irregular distribution where head parts are either abutting or free-standing. This asymmetric arrangement facilitates easier interlocking engagement by providing natural pathways for head parts to interdigitate, reducing the displacement and actuation force required while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical closure part comprising a support part and a plurality of closure elements which extend away from the support part via stems and are provided with a head part (2) respectively on the free ends thereof. Said closure elements are subdivided on the support part into groups (4) which form a fictitious annular arrangement in the form of a multi-cornered element comprising corners equipped with a closure element. The invention is characterised in that a group of closure elements (6) is formed within the respective groups (4), the head parts (2) thereof, in the non-actuated state of the closure, adjoin each other in an adjacent manner.