Sealed Slide Fastener With Controlled Separation Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifejacket zippers have weak points that can prematurely open due to fluid passage, leading to unplanned opening or damage, and lack a seal to prevent fluid ingress.
Innovation Solution
A zipper design with flexible strips extending over fastening locations, forming a seal to prevent fluid passage and featuring a controlled weak point for easy separation upon inflation, using reinforcing strips and omitting abutment portions at selected locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a weak point is created in the zipper by removing or modifying selected teeth to allow easy separation upon inflation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as fluid can pass through the gap causing unplanned opening or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper is segmented into two functional zones: a sealed region with complete interlocking teeth for fluid tightness, and a separation region with modified teeth for controlled opening. This segmentation allows the zipper to simultaneously provide both reliability (through sealing) and ease of operation (through controlled separation at the weak point).
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the zipper have different properties: the majority of teeth are complete and interlocking for sealing, while selected teeth at the weak point are modified (missing abutment portions) to allow separation. This local differentiation enables the zipper to maintain overall reliability while providing localized ease of operation where needed.
2Ease of operation
If selected teeth are completely removed to create a weak point for easy opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases as the slider may jam without proper tooth geometry
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely removing teeth, the invention modifies only specific portions (abutment portions) of selected teeth while maintaining the basic tooth structure. This localized modification reduces complexity compared to complete removal, as the slider can still engage with the modified teeth geometry while achieving easy separation at the weak point.
3Reliability
If the zipper is designed to be completely sealed to prevent fluid ingress, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the zipper cannot be easily opened upon inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper is divided into a sealed region with complete teeth for preventing fluid ingress, and a separation region with modified teeth for easy opening. This segmentation allows the zipper to provide both reliable sealing (where complete teeth are present) and ease of operation (where modified teeth create a weak point for controlled separation).
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the zipper have different sealing properties: most teeth are complete for sealing effectiveness, while selected teeth at specific locations are modified to allow separation. This local quality differentiation enables the zipper to maintain overall reliability while providing localized ease of opening capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A slide fastener pan includes a multiplicity of sequentially arranged fastening element locations (SOB), extending from a start position (A) to an end position (B), and a fastening element (35B) at respective ones of the locations (SOB), the slide fastener part being configured for attachment to and detachment from an oppositely positioned associated slide fastener part having a multiplicity of sequentially arranged fastening elements (35A) by the movement of a sliding element (12), the attachment being by abutment of abutment portions of oppositely positioned ones of fastening elements (35A, 35B), wherein the first-mentioned multiplicity of sequentially arranged fastening element locations (30B) include a plurality of adjacent ones of the locations (30B)′, between the start position (A) to the end position (B), that are modified so as to provide a region (40) between the start position and the end position at which the attached slide fastener parts are relatively easily separated. The slide fastener part carries a flexible strip (60A) that extends over the fastening locations (30B, 30B)′ and is configured to abut a corresponding flexible strip (60A) of the oppositely positioned associated slide fastener part.