Slider Tab Attachment with Automatic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliders for slide fasteners with automatic stop functions are limited in their application, as they cannot secure and prevent swinging of pivot tabs, which are essential for certain garment applications, such as horizontal slide fasteners on coats, where the tab must be tilted to engage, requiring awkward hand movements to operate.
Innovation Solution
A slider design featuring a tab attachment part with an engaging portion that projects from the knob portion, a spring-biased lock pin, and an inclined surface on the slider body, allowing the tab to be automatically secured and prevented from swinging by tilting, regardless of the tab type, with the engaging portion being pulled into a recessed portion on the tab attachment part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the attachment hole in the connecting portion of the tab is formed to be sufficiently large to allow the tab attachment part to pass through, then the tab can be freely assembled, but the tab becomes pivotable and cannot be automatically secured against swinging
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment hole is segmented into two functional zones: a large upper portion that facilitates easy insertion of the tab attachment part, and a lower engaged portion that receives the engaging projection to prevent tab swinging. This segmentation allows the hole to serve dual purposes: ease of assembly and stability maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
An engaging projection is introduced as an intermediary element that extends from the tab through the attachment hole to engage with the slider body. This projection acts as a mediator that converts the large attachment hole (which would otherwise allow excessive movement) into a controlled engagement mechanism that prevents tab swinging while maintaining ease of assembly.
2Extent of automation
If the slider is designed with automatic stop function using lock pin and spring member, then the slider can be automatically locked, but the tab cannot be automatically secured when tilted, requiring manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging projection on the tab is preliminarily positioned to extend through the attachment hole in a direction toward the slider body. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the tab is tilted during normal operation, the projection is already in place to be pulled into the engaged portion, enabling automatic securing without requiring additional manual steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab's engaging projection automatically engages with the slider body's engaged portion through the biasing force of the spring member when the tab is tilted. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation to secure the tab, as the tab itself performs the securing action through its own geometric configuration and the spring's restoring force.
3Reliability
If the tab is designed as an angular tab that cannot be pivotable, then the tab can be snap-stopped by rotating beyond the projecting portion, but the application is limited and cannot be used with pivot tabs required for certain garment applications
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment hole design with the engaging projection serves multiple functions: it allows easy insertion like a large hole, provides automatic tab securing through the projection-engaged portion interaction, and works with both pivotable and non-pivotable tabs. This multi-functionality makes the slider universally applicable to different tab types and garment applications, including horizontal slide fasteners on coats where pivot tabs are required.
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 secure and automatic engagement of the tab without manual operation, allowing for easy and convenient use of pivot tabs, improving usability and flexibility, especially in garment applications where traditional sliders fail.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member for biasing the pawl portion of the lock pin to enter the element passage from a pawl hole provided in the upper blade
Implementation Method 2
an engaging portion projecting toward the shaft portion from an edge portion on the knob portion side of the attachment hole is formed in the tab, an engaged portion is formed on the slider body or at least one of a front wall and a rear wall in a front and rear direction of the tab attachment part
Data Source
AI summary
A slider for a slide fastener useable with a slider with an automatic stop function to secure a tab to enable automatic engagement and prevent swinging of the tab, regardless of the type of tab, when the tab is tilted to an engaged portion side. An engaging portion is formed in an attachment hole of the tab. An engaged portion is formed in the slider body or the tab attachment part. When the tab is tilted to be almost parallel to an upper blade on the engaged portion side of the tab attachment part, due to a biasing force of the spring member, the lock pin moves the shaft portion of the tab downward and to an opposite side of a tilted direction, and a tip portion of the engaging portion of the tab is pulled into to be engaged with the engaged portion side of the tab attachment part.