Thin Slider Automatic Locking Mechanism Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thin sliders with automatic locking mechanisms for slide fasteners compromise design properties and operability due to increased thickness and delayed sliding operations when equipped with U-shaped brackets and locking pawls.
Innovation Solution
A thin slider design featuring a Y-shaped element guide passage, a locking pawl journaled by the slider body, and a resilient member, with a pawl lever portion and projecting pieces that allow for automatic locking without a U-shaped bracket, enabling smooth sliding and maintaining the slider's thin profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a U-shaped bracket and locking pawl mechanism are added to achieve automatic locking, then locking reliability is improved, but slider thickness increases and design properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pawl is integrated directly into the slider body structure, merging the locking mechanism with the slider housing. This eliminates the need for a separate U-shaped bracket and reduces overall slider thickness while maintaining automatic locking functionality through the resilient member and pawl lever portion
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pawl components (pawl lever portion, projecting pieces) are nested within the slider body cavity, with the resilient member housed in a dedicated cavity. This nesting approach allows the locking mechanism to be contained within the slider's thin profile without protruding externally
2Reliability
If a U-shaped bracket is used for locking mechanism, then automatic locking is achieved, but the sliding operation becomes delayed and operability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The upper blade is divided into a first upper blade (fixed to slider body) and a second upper blade (slidably movable). This segmentation allows the second blade to move independently relative to the first, enabling immediate sliding response to tab operation without being constrained by a U-shaped bracket, while the locking pawl remains functional through its own segmented design (pawl lever portion and projecting pieces)
3Reliability
If conventional locking mechanism components are added, then locking function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member serves multiple functions: it biases the locking pawl into the engaged position, provides the urging force for automatic locking, and enables the pawl to return to the locked position after sliding. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed compared to conventional mechanisms that require separate springs, brackets, and pawls
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped bracket is completely extracted/removed from the design. Instead, the locking pawl is directly integrated into the slider body with its biasing mechanism, simplifying the overall structure by eliminating an entire sub-assembly while retaining the essential automatic locking function
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 provides a thin slider with an automatic locking mechanism that maintains excellent design properties and operability by allowing smooth sliding without increasing thickness, ensuring stable locking and decoupling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member accommodated in the connecting post, wherein the locking pawl comprises: a pawl lever portion which is extended backward from a journaling portion... The first projecting piece is urged in a first rotation direction for inserting the pawl portion into the element guide passage by the resilient member
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a thin slider for a slide fastener with an automatic locking mechanism with a locking pawl while having an excellent design property and operability.The thin slider according to the present invention includes a locking pawl journaled by a slider body and a resilient member accommodated in a connecting post. The locking pawl is urged in such a first rotation direction that its pawl portion is inserted into an element guide passage of the slider body by the resilient member. The upper blade of the slider body includes a first upper blade connected to the connecting post and a second upper blade which is attached slidably onto the first upper blade. The second upper blade has a thin second upper blade main body and an operating piece drooping from the front end portion of the second upper blade main body. A first operating portion for pressing the first projecting piece in a second rotation direction for pulling the pawl portion out of the element guide passage when the second upper blade is slid backward is disposed on the inner face of the operating piece, and a second operating portion for pressing the second projecting piece in the second rotation direction when the second upper blade is slid forward is disposed on the side of the sliding face of the second upper blade main body.