Slider Automatic Stopper Universality for Mixed Fastener Types

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide fasteners with automatic stoppers require dedicated manufacturing apparatuses and increase management costs due to the need for various types of parts, as the same slider with an automatic stopper often experiences interference or reduced engagement retention strength when used with different types of teeth, such as metal, injection resin, or coil-shaped fasteners.

Innovation Solution

A slider design with a common automatic stopper component, including an engagement pawl plate, plate spring, and cover portion, which can be mounted on different bodies guiding metal, injection resin, or coil-shaped teeth, ensuring suitable engagement retention strength across various fastener types, and allowing for intensive production and shared manufacturing equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated automatic stopper is designed for each type of fastener (metal, injection resin, coil-shaped), then the engagement retention strength is optimized for that specific fastener type, but the device complexity and management costs increase due to having multiple types of parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement retention strengthVSAvoidvariety of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a common automatic stopper assembly (comprising the common part and variable part) that can function with multiple types of fasteners. The common part includes standardized components such as the cover portion, engagement pawl plate, and biasing portion that remain identical across different fastener types, while only the body and teeth engagement characteristics vary. This allows a single stopper design to serve multiple functions across metal, injection resin, and coil-shaped fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the automatic stopper into two distinct segments: a common part that remains identical across all fastener types, and a variable part (the body) that differs according to the specific fastener type. This segmentation allows the standardized common part to be reused while accommodating different fastener characteristics through the variable body portion, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a common automatic stopper is used across different fastener types, then the device complexity and management costs are reduced, but the engagement retention strength may be compromised due to interference or incompatibility with specific tooth types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of part typesVSAvoidengagement retention strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the automatic stopper into two distinct segments: a common part that remains identical across all fastener types, and a variable part (the body) that differs according to the specific fastener type. This segmentation allows the standardized common part to be reused while accommodating different fastener characteristics through the variable body portion, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making only the body portion variable while keeping all other components (cover portion, engagement pawl plate, biasing portion, stopping pawl portion) identical across different fastener types. This localized differentiation ensures that the critical engagement components maintain consistent quality and performance characteristics, while only the body adapts to specific fastener requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If different slider designs are created for metal, injection resin, and coil-shaped fasteners, then the engagement retention strength is optimized for each specific application, but the manufacturing costs and production efficiency decrease due to requiring multiple manufacturing apparatuses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement retention strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a common automatic stopper assembly (comprising the common part and variable part) that can function with multiple types of fasteners. The common part includes standardized components such as the cover portion, engagement pawl plate, and biasing portion that remain identical across different fastener types, while only the body and teeth engagement characteristics vary. This allows a single stopper design to serve multiple functions across metal, injection resin, and coil-shaped fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the automatic stopper into two distinct segments: a common part that remains identical across all fastener types, and a variable part (the body) that differs according to the specific fastener type. This segmentation allows the standardized common part to be reused while accommodating different fastener characteristics through the variable body portion, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If dedicated manufacturing apparatuses are used for each slider type, then the manufacturing precision is maintained for specific fastener types, but the productivity and cost efficiency decrease due to inability to share equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement position accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a common automatic stopper assembly (comprising the common part and variable part) that can function with multiple types of fasteners. The common part includes standardized components such as the cover portion, engagement pawl plate, and biasing portion that remain identical across different fastener types, while only the body and teeth engagement characteristics vary. This allows a single stopper design to serve multiple functions across metal, injection resin, and coil-shaped fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the automatic stopper into two distinct segments: a common part that remains identical across all fastener types, and a variable part (the body) that differs according to the specific fastener type. This segmentation allows the standardized common part to be reused while accommodating different fastener characteristics through the variable body portion, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the production of sliders with automatic stoppers that can effectively engage with multiple types of teeth, reducing costs and improving engagement retention strength, while allowing for the use of common parts and shared manufacturing equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a plate spring (14) which serves as a biasing portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2692261B1Slider for slide fastener with automatic stop device and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2017.04.26 YKK CORP
  • EP2692261B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2692261B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2692261B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3F

AI summary

A slider for a slide fastener with an automatic stop device comprises: common parts (16) having a stopping pawl portion (13), a bias portion (14) and a cover portion (15) which constitutes an automatic stop device; at least one body (11) selected from a first body (11A) which guides metal teeth (101), a second body (11B) which guides resin teeth (102) and a third body (11C) which guides coiled teeth (103) to each of which the common parts (16) can be mounted; and a pull (12), and the common parts (16) are mounted on to the at least one selected body (11). According to the present invention, the engaging pawl portion (13), the bias portion (14), and the cover portion (15) can be shared among a plurality of types of fasteners while the stopping pawl portion can ensure sufficient engagement holding strength in any type of fastener, and costs can be reduced by intensive production of the common parts and by the shared-use of the manufacturing facilities and assembling equipments.