Separable Slider Mechanism for One-Handed Fastener Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slide fasteners with magnets can interfere with medical and electronic devices, and users often need to open them quickly without moving the slider to the bottom of the elements, which can be cumbersome, especially when operating with one hand.
Innovation Solution
A separable slide fastener design featuring a slider element with a body portion and a removable portion that can be mechanically coupled and decoupled, allowing for engagement and disengagement without requiring the slider to be moved to the bottom of the elements, using a cavity and actuation mechanism for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnets are used to attach components together, then the components can be easily attached and detached, but magnets may adversely affect medical devices and electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnetic component from the slider assembly, extracting the harmful magnetic field generation while preserving the fastening function through alternative mechanical means. The slider components are attached using non-magnetic fasteners or interference fits, eliminating interference with medical and electronic devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the magnetic attachment system with a purely mechanical coupling system. The slider components are joined through mechanical interlocking features such as recesses, protrusions, snap-fits, or screw fasteners, providing secure attachment without magnetic fields.
2Ease of operation
If the slider is moved to the bottom of the rows of elements to open the slide fastener, then the fastener can be fully opened, but this operation is cumbersome and cannot be easily performed with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the slider into separable components that can be quickly detached from one another. The body portion can be separated from the tail portion or other components through a simple breaking or releasing action, allowing rapid opening of the fastener without moving the entire slider along the tapes to the bottom position.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider components are pre-positioned and configured so that they can be quickly separated when needed. The mechanical coupling between components is designed to allow rapid detachment through a simple breaking action or release mechanism, eliminating the need for gradual movement along the tapes.
3Productivity
If the slider components are permanently attached, then the structure is simple and strong, but the fastener cannot be quickly opened without moving the slider to the bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is segmented into multiple components (body portion, tail portion, etc.) that are mechanically coupled but can be separated. This segmentation allows the fastener to be quickly opened by detaching components from each other, providing rapid opening capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider structure transitions from a static, permanently attached design to a dynamic, separable design. The mechanical coupling between components allows them to be firmly attached during normal use but can be quickly separated when opening is required, providing adaptability in the slider's structural state.
Data Source
AI summary
A slide fastener includes a first tape with a plurality of first elements, a second tape with a plurality of second elements, and a slider element configured to interface with the first tape and the second tape. The slider element includes a body portion and a removable portion that are configured to selectively mechanically engage/disengage with one another.