Slide Fastener Element Zoning to Reduce Stop-Claw Impact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide fasteners suffer from damage and separation of elements due to high impact between the stop claw and elements when a pulling out force is applied, especially when the slider is partially down, as all elements are of the same type and the stop claw contacts any element regardless of position, leading to potential damage or separation.
Innovation Solution
The slide fastener incorporates a pair of stringers with element rows classified into neighboring and remote classes, where neighboring elements are weak and remote elements are strong, reducing impact by varying element types and shapes to minimize damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If all elements are made of the same type with uniform shape, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the impact between the stop claw and elements causes damage and separation when pulling out force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating elements into two types: first elements with inclined upper surfaces positioned near the opener, and second elements with horizontal upper surfaces positioned away from the opener. This local differentiation allows elements closer to the opener (where pulling out force is most likely to occur) to have shock-absorbing inclined surfaces, while other elements maintain simple horizontal surfaces for easy manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If the stop claw contacts any element regardless of slider position, then the stopping function is consistent, but high impact occurs when pulling out force is applied causing element or stop claw damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of element upper surfaces based on position. First elements near the opener have inclined upper surfaces with a specific inclination angle, while second elements away from the opener have horizontal upper surfaces. This parameter change ensures that when the stop claw contacts first elements during pulling out operations, the inclined surface reduces impact force, whereas second elements maintain consistent stopping function with horizontal surfaces.
3Strength
If strong elements are used throughout the element row, then the impact resistance is high, but the manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the element row into two distinct zones: a first region near the opener containing first elements with inclined surfaces designed for shock absorption, and a second region away from the opener containing second elements with horizontal surfaces. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing shock-absorbing inclined surfaces only to first elements in the region where pulling out force is most likely to occur (near the opener), rather than to all elements. This partial application of the shock-absorbing feature reduces manufacturing complexity while providing sufficient protection where it is most needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A slide fastener includes: a pair of stringers; and a slider. The pair of stringers include: a pair of tapes, a pair of element rows each including a plurality of elements, and an opener. At least one element row includes the elements of a plurality of types, and is classified into a neighboring class, and a remote class. Regarding an impact to be applied to the elements and the stop claw which collide inside the slider when a force for pulling out one of the element rows from the slider is applied to the one element row, the elements forming the remote class include strong elements of a type configured to strengthen the impact more than the elements forming the neighboring class. All of the elements forming the neighboring class are weak elements of a type configured to weaken the impact more than the strong elements.