Waterproof Slide Fastener with Segmented Support Tape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof slide fasteners fail to maintain a complete waterproof function due to water permeation through central slits and external forces, which compromise their wind-breaking and rain-repellent properties, especially in outdoor applications like skiwear and tents.
Innovation Solution
A continuous-coil type waterproof slide fastener design featuring symmetrical support tapes with high polymer elastic members bonded to the inner longitudinal edges, extending to cover and fill gaps between coupling elements, and a fluid impervious film applied to prevent water penetration, eliminating capillary effects and external force interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid impervious film is bonded to each support tape to repel water, then water penetration is prohibited under zero external pressure, but the central slit between support tapes enlarges under transverse external force causing enclosure failure
Solution Approach 1:
The support tape is segmented into an upper support tape and a lower support tape, with the fluid impervious film applied only to the upper support tape. The lower support tape remains exposed without fluid impervious film, allowing it to flex and maintain the central slit enclosure under external force while the upper tape provides waterproofing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support tape structure are assigned different properties: the upper support tape has fluid impervious film for water repellency, while the lower support tape lacks this film to provide flexibility and maintain structural integrity of the central slit under transverse loading.
2Reliability
If the fluid impervious film protrudes upwards to prevent water penetration, then waterproof function is improved, but a special slider design is required to avoid damaging the film
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid impervious film is extracted from both support tapes and applied only to the upper support tape. This eliminates the need for the film to protrude upwards, thereby removing the requirement for a special slider design and allowing the use of conventional sliders.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying the fluid impervious film to both support tapes as in conventional designs, the invention inverts this approach by applying it only to the upper support tape, reversing the conventional wisdom while achieving both waterproofing and compatibility with standard sliders.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fluid impervious film is cut off along the central slit, then the inner longitudinal edge of support tapes is exposed, but water permeation occurs due to capillary effect
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary element that fills the gap between the upper and lower support tapes at the central slit. This sealing member prevents water permeation through the capillary effect while allowing the fluid impervious film to be cut off for easier installation.
4Reliability
If a high polymer elastic member is used to fill gaps between coupling elements, then waterproofing is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower support tape serves a dual function: it provides structural support and simultaneously acts as a sealing element by being pressed against the inner longitudinal edge of the upper support tape. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate sealing components, maintaining simplicity while achieving waterproofing.
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 design effectively prevents water permeation, enhances durability, and maintains a high level of waterproofing even under external forces, while allowing for flexible and durable operation without requiring specialized sliders, thus improving the overall performance and application range of waterproof slide fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
eliminating capillary effects and external force interference
Implementation Method 2
a fluid impervious film applied to prevent water penetration
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous-coil type waterproof slide fastener includes two support tapes each having opposing first face and second face, two rows of coupling elements respectively formed of a continuous length of monofilament and respectively secured to along the inner longitudinal edge of the second face of each of the two support tapes, a high polymer elastic member bonded to the vertical wall of the inner longitudinal edge of each support tape and transversely extending from the vertical wall of the inner longitudinal edge to a predetermined distance, each high polymer elastic member further having a covering portion on the inner longitudinal edge of the second face of the associating support tape and a filling portion penetrates into inner chinks in the associating row of coupling elements, and a fluid impervious film covered at least on the first face of each support tape and the associating high polymer elastic member.