Slider Guide Surface Segmentation for Inclined Zipper Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliders for slide fasteners face difficulties in closing fastener stringers, especially when element rows are inclined or close to pillars, due to narrow separation states and shallow inclination angles, which hinder easy entry and meshing.
Innovation Solution
A slider design featuring wing plates with sequentially arranged inclined surface portions, including a second inclined surface with an acute angle and larger depth width, to guide and rotate inclined elements into a horizontal posture for easy entry and meshing, along with flanges to reduce distance between wing plates and facilitate entry from both sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the depth width of the inclined surface is increased to accommodate greatly inclined elements, then the ease of closing improves, but the area for element meshing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is divided into multiple segments with different inclination angles. The first inclined surface has a larger inclination angle for elements close to the pillar, the second inclined surface has a smaller inclination angle for elements in the middle region, and the third inclined surface has a larger inclination angle for elements close to the flange. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the inclined surface are given different local properties (inclination angles) according to their specific functional requirements. Elements close to the pillar need steeper guidance, while elements in the middle need gentler guidance, and elements near the flange need steeper guidance again. This local differentiation optimizes both element entry and meshing area utilization.
2Ease of operation
If the inclination angle of the inclined surface is reduced to make the inclined surface wider, then the ease of closing improves, but the horizontal surface area for meshing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is segmented into three distinct regions with different inclination angles. By segmenting the inclined surface, the patent avoids the need to reduce the inclination angle over the entire length, thereby preserving horizontal surface area for meshing while still providing adequate guidance for inclined elements in specific regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly reducing the inclination angle across the entire inclined surface, the patent applies local quality by giving different inclination angles to different segments. This allows the horizontal surface area to be maintained in the second inclined surface region while still providing the necessary guidance in the first and third regions.
3Ease of operation
If the depth width of the second inclined surface portion is increased, then the ease of closing improves, but the guiding surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding surface is segmented into three inclined surface portions, with the second inclined surface portion having a larger depth width specifically optimized for accommodating greatly inclined elements. This segmentation allows the patent to increase the depth width where needed without unnecessarily reducing the overall guiding surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving the second inclined surface portion a larger depth width specifically where it is most needed for accommodating inclined elements, while maintaining appropriate depth widths in the first and third portions. This optimizes the balance between ease of closing and guiding surface area.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3(B)
Figure 4~5(B)
AI summary
This slider for a slide fastener comprises a slider body (6) that engages and separates a pair of element rows (4L, 4L). The slider body comprises a pair of blades (7, 8), a column (9) that connects the pair of blades, and an element passage (12) passing through the slider body in the longitudinal direction. At least one of the blades comprises guide surfaces (72, 82) on the left and right sides in relation to the column, which is the front edge of the facing surface of the blade, the guide surfaces (72, 82) guiding the separated pair of element rows. The guide surfaces are inclined surfaces that are inclined in relation to the horizontal from the front edge of the facing surface toward the rear side of the element passage, so as to narrow the vertical gap between the pair of blades, and the guide surfaces comprise first, second, and third inclined parts (73, 74, 75, 83, 84, 85) that are adjacently arranged in order in the direction separating from the column to the left and right. The inclination angle of the second inclined part is an acute angle nearer to the horizontal surface than the first and third inclined parts, and the maximum value of the depth of the second inclined part is greater than that of the first and third inclined parts.