Zipped Flap Opening System With Cord Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable structures like tents face challenges in opening and closing flaps from the interior side, especially after exposure to inclement weather, where debris like snow or rain accumulates, making it cumbersome and potentially messy to exit.
Innovation Solution
A zipped flap opening system featuring a textile flap with a zipper, an enclosed channel, and a cord system where the cord is secured at the corner and passes through a cord lock, allowing the flap to be drawn away from the opening, preventing debris from falling on the user, with the cord lock applying friction to keep the flap open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a zipper is used to fasten the flap, then the flap can be opened and closed, but opening from the interior becomes cumbersome and debris may fall on the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the zipper operation from the flap control function. The zipper remains for secure fastening, while the cord system provides independent flap positioning capability, allowing the flap to be drawn away from the opening without manipulating the zipper
Solution Approach 2:
The cord acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the flap. By pulling the cord, the user can draw the flap away from the opening through the channel, providing indirect control that prevents debris from falling while maintaining easy operation from the interior
2Weight of moving object
If the flap is made of lightweight textile material, then the structure is easily transportable, but the flap may accumulate debris from inclement weather
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the debris problem from the flap itself by providing a separate control mechanism. The cord system allows the flap to be positioned away from the opening, effectively removing the source of debris (the flap) from the hazard zone without requiring a heavier or more complex flap structure
3Ease of operation
If a cord system is added to draw the flap away, then interior opening becomes easier and debris is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is formed by folding the existing textile flap material itself, creating an enclosed guide path. This uses the flexible textile property to form a structural element without adding rigid or complex components, maintaining the lightweight nature while enabling the cord system to function
Solution Approach 2:
The cord serves multiple functions: it controls flap positioning, enables interior opening operation, and works with the existing zipper system. The channel structure also serves dual purposes by guiding the cord while being formed from the flap material itself, reducing the need for separate structural components
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 easy and convenient opening of the flap from the interior, preventing debris from falling on the user by drawing the flap away from the opening, while maintaining a lightweight and easily transportable solution.
Implementation Method 1
the cord lock applying friction to keep the flap open
Data Source
AI summary
A zipped flap opening system comprising a textile flap having a first side and a second side, the first side and second side meeting to form a corner; a zipper including a pair of toothed sides, each toothed side positioned to the sides of a slit, one of the sides of the slit being the first side; an enclosed channel that extends substantially parallel to the second side, the enclosed channel having an open end; and a cord having a secured end and a running end. The cord is partly received within the enclosed channel by way of the open end. The secured end of the cord is received within the enclosed channel and securely retained to the flap at a position proximate the corner. The running end of the cord is free of the channel, such that the running end is accessible from an interior side of the flap.