Slider for Slide Fastener with Rigid Stop and Smooth Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sliders for slide fasteners with automatic stop mechanisms face difficulties in smooth operation due to excessive force exertion on the stopping claw, leading to potential immobility when transitioning from a stopped to a movable state.

Innovation Solution

The slider design incorporates a body with upper and lower blades connected by a guide post, a stopping claw with a locking portion and a movable claw portion, and a pull tab, featuring a protrusion on the claw hole and a notch on the claw portion to facilitate smooth operation by reducing collision forces and allowing for a rigid stop function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the stopping claw body is in close contact with the front wall surface of the claw hole to provide a rigid stop function, then the stopping function is improved, but the operation smoothness deteriorates due to excessive force exertion on the claw portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestopping functionVSAvoidoperation smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the contact interface between the stopping claw body and claw hole into two distinct functional zones: a rigid stop contact surface for providing the stopping function, and a smooth transition surface for enabling smooth operation. The protrusion on the claw hole and corresponding surface on the stopping claw body create a segmented contact pattern that separates the stopping function from the operation smoothness requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different surface qualities at different locations of the contact interface. The front wall surface of the claw hole provides a rigid stop contact surface with specific geometric features (protrusion) for reliable stopping, while the lower surface provides a smooth transition surface for easy operation. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between rigid stopping and smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the claw portion is lifted to escape from between elements, then the slider can be moved, but the stopping claw body is subjected to large force that may cause the claw portion to be immovably sandwiched

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider mobilityVSAvoidclaw portion mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion on the claw hole and the corresponding surface feature on the stopping claw body are designed beforehand to cushion and distribute the force during the transition from stopped to movable state. This pre-designed geometric feature prevents excessive force concentration that could cause the claw portion to be immovably sandwiched between elements and the wall surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion and corresponding surface feature act as an intermediary element between the stopping claw body and the claw hole wall surface. This intermediary geometric feature mediates the force transmission during operation, allowing smooth transition while maintaining the rigid stop function, and preventing the claw portion from being excessively bitten by elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3009026B1Slider for slide fastener
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 YKK CORP
  • EP3009026B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3009026B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3009026B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a slider for a slide fastener which has a rigid stop function and moves smoothly. [Solution] A slider (1) for a slide fastener characterized in that: the slider (1) is provided with a trunk (2) which is formed by coupling an upper wing plate (21) and a lower wing plate (22) with a guide post (23) and which has a guide groove (28) between the upper and lower wing plates (22 and 23), a stop claw body (6) which has one side with a locking portion (63) which is locked onto the trunk (2) and another side with a claw portion (64) which moves relative to the trunk (2), and a pull tab (5) which is placed on the trunk (2) and is capable of moving the claw portion (64); the trunk (2) has an attaching portion (3) which is provided on the guide post (23) side of the top surface (21a) of the upper wing plate (21) and locks the locking portion (63), a claw hole (44) which is provided on the top surface (21a) of the upper wing plate (21) on the opposite side from the guide post (23), communicates with the guide groove (28), and receives the claw portion (64), and a placement portion (29) on which the pull tab (5) is placed between the attaching portion (3) and the claw hole (44); and the stop claw body (6) and/or the claw hole (44) has a projecting portion (46 and 68) formed at a respective abutting position, the abutting position being above the edge part of the guide groove (28) side of the claw hole (44).