Self-Draining Snap Fastener Socket with Fluid Passageways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snap fasteners and sockets retain liquids, leading to corrosion and performance degradation, especially in marine applications where water does not readily drain, causing issues with snap functionality and holding strength.
Innovation Solution
Self-draining snap fastener sockets with fluid passageways, featuring an annular side wall, upper and lower flanges, and a resilient snap member, allowing liquids to drain through oblong-shaped holes from the interior to the exterior, preventing retention and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snap fasteners and sockets are used in marine applications, then they provide secure fastening, but water retention causes corrosion and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (water) from the snap fastener system by incorporating drainage holes in the socket structure. This allows water to be removed from the enclosed space between the snap fastener and socket, preventing corrosion while maintaining the fastening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket is designed with porous characteristics through the inclusion of multiple drainage holes in its structure. This porous design allows fluid passage through the socket wall, enabling water to drain from the interior cavity while the socket maintains its structural integrity and fastening capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If liquids are retained inside snap fasteners, then the fastening connection is maintained, but deposits build up and degrade performance
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage holes extract accumulated liquids from the snap fastener interior, preventing the cycle of evaporation and deposit buildup. By continuously removing water, the system prevents harmful deposits from forming on the fastening surfaces.
3Reliability
If oil is applied to snap fasteners to prevent corrosion, then protection is improved, but the process is time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The snap fastener system provides self-protection against corrosion through its inherent drainage design. The structure automatically prevents water accumulation without requiring external maintenance actions such as manual oiling, making the system self-maintaining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of water retention into a beneficial drainage function. The drainage holes transform the socket from a water-trapping structure into an active water-removal system, eliminating the need for protective coatings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The self-draining design automatically expels liquids, reducing corrosion and performance degradation, enhancing the reliability and longevity of snap fasteners and sockets by facilitating easy drainage and preventing deposit buildup.
Implementation Method 1
Water and other liquids may enter the snap fasteners and snap fastener sockets. However, the snap fasteners and snap fastener sockets may not permit the liquids to easily drain out from inside of the snap fasteners and snap fastener sockets.
Data Source
AI summary
A self draining snap fastener socket allows water and other liquids to drain from inside of the self draining snap fastener socket. The self draining snap fastener socket has a snap action attachment/detachment portion defining a channel for a resilient snap member. The channel has an annular side wall extending generally along an axial direction of the self draining snap fastener socket, an upper flange extending from an upper portion of the annular side wall toward a socket center, and a lower flange extending from a lower portion of the annular side wall toward the socket center. A fluid passageway extends from the interior of the self draining snap fastener socket through the annular side wall to outside of the self draining snap fastener socket.