Slide Fastener Pull Tab Alignment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In slide fasteners, incorrect placement of the slider can lead to difficulties in coupling the first and second stop members, resulting in increased time and labor for closing the fastener.

Innovation Solution

A slide fastener design featuring a slider with a pull tab that moves the slider body forward or rearward to engage or disengage the stop members, including a first stop member with a first insert and second stop member with a second insert, allowing for easy alignment and coupling by human fingers, with features like a stopper wall and magnetic attraction to ensure correct positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the slider is not placed in a correct parking position, then the first and second stop members are not coupled smoothly, but considerable time and labor are consumed for closing the slide fastener

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of coupling stop membersVSAvoidtime for closing fastener

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pull tab is pre-positioned on the first stop member before the slider is installed. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the slider is correctly installed, the pull tab automatically guides the first stop member into the correct coupling position with the second stop member, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing closing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pull tab acts as an intermediary element between the first and second stop members. It provides a physical guide and alignment mechanism that facilitates smooth coupling of the stop members, ensuring proper positioning without requiring precise manual placement of the slider

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the pull tab is positioned incorrectly, then the slider cannot be operated smoothly, but the coupling of stop members is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of slider operationVSAvoidreliability of stop member coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual indicators (such as colored markings or contrasting colors) on the pull tab and first stop member to indicate correct positioning. This visual feedback ensures that the pull tab is correctly positioned before installation, guaranteeing both smooth slider operation and reliable stop member coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The design incorporates positional feedback mechanisms where the correct positioning of the pull tab relative to the first stop member creates a stable, predetermined configuration. This feedback ensures that when installed, the slider operates smoothly and the stop members couple reliably without requiring additional adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4059373B1Slide fastener

Publication Date: 2024.01.10 YKK CORP

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AI summary

Pull tab (90) includes a pull tab main portion (92). First base (61) is sandwiched between a second base (62) and the pull tab main portion (92) to form a stack (105) in which the second base (62), the first base (61) and the pull tab main portion (92) are stacked in this order. The pull tab main portion (92) and the first base (61) are configured such that the pull tab main portion (92) moves rearward to cause rearward movement of the slider body (40) as the stack (105) is sandwiched by human fingers in its stack direction while the first insert (71) has been not fully inserted inside the slider body (40).