Slide Fastener Slider Positioning via Localized Stopping Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slide fasteners with free sliders lacking a locking pawl mechanism struggle to maintain the slider at a desired position, leading to unintended opening or closing due to vibrations or stress from fastener stringers, and can damage components when forced to slide against resistance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a stopping element with a resistance portion that increases sliding resistance by contacting the slider's inner surface, allowing the slider to be stopped at any position without damaging the slider or fastener elements, using a configuration where the resistance portion is larger than the slider's blade interval and disposed strategically along the element row.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a free slider without locking pawl is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the slider cannot be stopped at a predetermined position and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The element row is designed with heterogeneous elements: most elements have standard smooth surfaces for easy sliding, while specific localized elements have rough surfaces that act as stopping points. This local differentiation allows the slider to be stopped at predetermined positions without adding complex locking mechanisms to the entire slider structure.
2Reliability
If a stopping mechanism like locking pawl is added to the slider, then the slider can be stopped at predetermined position improving reliability, but the device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stopping function is extracted from the slider and transferred to the element row. Instead of equipping the slider with active stopping components like locking pawls, the element row itself provides stopping capability through localized rough elements that passively engage with the slider's inner surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The element row serves dual functions: it provides the coupling function for fastening and simultaneously provides the stopping function through its rough elements. The structure serves itself by using the same component (element row) to fulfill multiple functions without requiring additional dedicated stopping mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the slider is forced to slide against resistance, then the slider may be damaged or fastener elements may be damaged, but this can occur when trying to move the slider from a stopped position
Solution Approach 1:
The surface roughness parameter of specific elements is changed to create controlled friction zones. These rough elements increase friction locally to provide stopping capability while the overall element row maintains sufficient smoothness to allow the slider to be moved when needed by applying appropriate force.
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
The solution effectively maintains the slider's position despite vibrations and allows smooth operation by increasing sliding resistance only at the desired stop point, preventing damage and extending the product's lifespan by reducing the likelihood of forced sliding and component wear.
Implementation Method 1
a stopping element (15) including a resistance portion (15e) capable of locking the slider (30) by being brought into contact with an inner surface of the slider (30) to increase sliding resistance when the slider (30) is sliding
Data Source
AI summary
In a slide fastener (1) according to the invention, at least one stopping element (15, 51-63) including a resistance portion that increases sliding resistance by being brought into contact with an inner surface of a slider (30) when the slider (30) is sliding is locally disposed on an element row (12) of a fastener stringer (10). Accordingly, the slider (30) can be stopped at any position where the stopping element (15, 51-63) is disposed arbitrarily on the element row (12) and an immobilized state of the slider (30) can be maintained. By operating the slider (30) with a force greater than the sliding resistance to the stopping element (15, 51-63), the slider (30) can be made to ride over the resistance portion of the stopping element (15, 51-63) and to slide along the element row (12).