Segmented Fastening Tape Resists Foam Intrusion on Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening tapes face challenges in securely attaching to curved surfaces and resisting peeling forces due to foam intrusion during the molding process, which affects engagement strength with loop fasteners.
Innovation Solution
The fastening tape features an elongated substrate with fastening cells, barriers, slits, and magnetic material arranged to minimize foam intrusion, with open spaces and breaks allowing for flexibility and secure attachment to non-flat surfaces, and protrusions to regulate foam introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fastening tape is placed on a curved trench surface to conform to the surface shape, then the fastening tape can be attached to curved surfaces, but foam intrusion into the engaging elements increases, reducing engagement strength
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening tape is divided into multiple fastening cells separated by open spaces, with each cell containing engaging elements. This segmentation allows the tape to conform to curved surfaces while the open spaces prevent foam from reaching and fouling the engaging elements, thus maintaining engagement strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Open spaces act as intermediary regions between adjacent fastening cells, serving as barriers that block foam intrusion while allowing the fastening tape to maintain contact with curved surfaces. These open spaces mediate between the need for surface conformity and the need to protect engaging elements from foam.
2Strength
If the fastening tape is securely attached to the cushion to resist peeling forces, then attachment strength improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening tape merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the substrate provides attachment to the cushion, the barriers define fastening cells, the engaging elements provide fastening function, and the open spaces prevent foam intrusion. This consolidation achieves strong attachment without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for attachment to the cushion, carries the engaging elements for fastening, and works with the open spaces to prevent foam intrusion. This multi-functionality increases attachment strength without adding separate components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If barriers are added to surround fastening elements, then foam intrusion is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barriers and open spaces are pre-formed as integral parts of the substrate during manufacturing, before the fastening tape is applied to the cushion. This preliminary formation of protective structures eliminates the need for separate barrier installation steps, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while effectively preventing foam intrusion.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a fastening tape. A plurality of fastening cells on a surface of an elongated substrate. Each of at least some of the fastening cells includes: a fastening element array; one or more barriers at least partially surrounding the fastening element array; at least one slit provided in an upper portion of at least one of the one or more barriers; and a fastening element at least partially filling the slit. At least some of the fastening cells which are adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction are separated from each other by an open space extending across the substrate in a lateral direction. The fastening element extends inward of the respective fastening cells in a direction away from a respective one of the open spaces.