Reverse Opening Slide Fastener Slider Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reverse opening type slide fasteners face difficulties in maintaining the upper and lower sliders at the bottom end of the box pin when the insert pin is removed, leading to inconvenient insertion and removal operations due to gravity-induced separation and interference with the element rows.

Innovation Solution

A reverse opening type slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop featuring a box pin, an insert pin, an upper slider, and a lower slider, along with projecting portions on the box pin to prevent free sliding and maintain the sliders at the bottom end, ensuring the rear mouths of the sliders remain in contact for easy insertion and removal of the insert pin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the insert pin is removed from the slider, then the right and left fastener stringers can be separated, but the slider may slip off due to gravity and interfere with the element row

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of separationVSAvoidslider position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A projection is added to the box pin that acts as an intermediary component to prevent the slider from slipping off. The projection engages with a recess in the slider, creating a mechanical interlock that maintains slider position stability while still allowing for separation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection on the box pin is positioned in advance to engage with the slider before gravity can cause the slider to slip off. This preliminary mechanical engagement prevents the harmful effect of gravity-induced separation from occurring in the first place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the bottom end of the element row is lifted up to facilitate insert pin insertion, then the insert pin can be easily inserted, but the up-down relation is reversed and the slider may separate from the box pin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insert pin insertionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projection on the box pin serves as a mechanical intermediary that maintains the connection between the slider and box pin even when the element row is lifted. This allows the user to elevate the bottom end for easier insertion without worrying about the slider separating due to gravity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the slider is allowed to move freely on the box pin, then the slider can be positioned flexibly, but the slider cannot be held at the bottom end for convenient insert pin operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider positioning flexibilityVSAvoidease of insert pin operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The box pin is designed with different local properties: the main body allows free sliding for flexible positioning, while the projection at a specific location provides a stopping mechanism to hold the slider at the bottom end. This local modification enables both flexibility and operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The slider transitions from a fully mobile state to a constrained state through the projection. When the slider is above the projection, it moves freely; when it reaches the projection, it is mechanically stopped and held in position, providing dynamic adaptability based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2050349B1Reverse opening type slide fastener
Publication Date: 2015.06.17 YKK CORP
  • EP2050349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2050349B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2050349B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a reverse opening type slide fastener in which an upper slider and a lower slider can be held at a bottom end of a box pin when an insert pin is pulled out of the upper slider and the lower slider and separated therefrom. The reverse opening type slide fastener (10) has a separable bottom end stop (22) including a box pin (40) provided consecutively from a bottom end of a right element row (13) disposed on a side edge of a right fastener stringer (17), an insert pin (30) provided consecutively from the bottom end of a left element row (12) disposed on a side edge of a left fastener stringer (16), an upper slider (50) which enables the slide fastener to be opened upward and a lower slider (60) which enables the slide fastener to be opened in a reverse direction. A stopper (46) for preventing the lower slider (60) from slipping off is provided at the bottom end of the box pin (40). A first engaging portion (44) is formed on an opposite side edge opposite to the insert pin (30) of the box pin (40) and a second engaging portion (34) is formed on an opposite side edge opposite to the box pin (40) of the insert pin (30) so as to position the insert pin (30) in a downward direction when the second engaging portion engages the first engaging portion (44). A projecting portion (48) which makes contact with the inner face of the blade of the upper slider (50) so as to suppress a free sliding of the upper slider (50) is formed on at least any one of a front side face and a rear side face opposite to the inner face of the blade of the upper slider (50) of the box pin (40).