Lower Zipper Stopper With Rotational Snap-Fit Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional zippers require precise control for the depth of pin insertion into the box to ensure proper interlocking of zipper teeth, making them inconvenient to use.
Innovation Solution
A zipper lower stop design featuring a lower stop plane member with a hook protrusion and a lower stop bottom member with guide and limiting protrusions, allowing for alignment and rotation without manual adjustment, facilitated by magnetic attraction and inclined guide structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional lower stop design with pin and box is used, then the zipper teeth can be joined, but precise control of pin insertion depth is required which makes it inconvenient to use
Solution Approach 1:
The lower stop plane member automatically guides itself into the correct rotational position through the guide channel formed by the bottom member guide protrusion and bottom member limiting protrusion. The oblique guiding surfaces cause the plane member to rotate during axial movement, eliminating the need for manual alignment and achieving self-positioning closure.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional lower stop design is used, then the structure is simple, but manual adjustment for alignment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The lower stop plane member transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that automatically rotates during assembly. The rotational movement is driven by the interaction between the hook's guide rod portion and the guide channel, allowing the structure to adapt its orientation automatically without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide channel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the hook and the bottom member limiting protrusion. It mediates the transformation of axial movement into rotational movement, enabling the plane member to align itself automatically during the closure process.
3Extent of automation
If the lower stop plane member is designed to rotate during assembly, then automatic alignment is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding and limiting functions are merged into a single integrated structure formed by the bottom member guide protrusion and bottom member limiting protrusion. This combined structure performs multiple functions (guiding rotation and limiting position) simultaneously, reducing the need for separate alignment mechanisms.
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 quick closure of the zipper by eliminating the need for precise manual alignment, enhancing usability and stability through rotational engagement.
Implementation Method 1
the guide rod portion and the bottom member guide protrusion fit along the circumferential direction and an oblique guiding is formed to push the lower stop plane member to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
A lower zipper stopper and a zipper. The lower zipper stopper comprises a lower stopper surface member (4) and a lower stopper bottom member (5). The lower stopper surface member (4) comprises a surface member cylinder (4.3), a hook (4.4) protrudes from an outer peripheral surface of the surface member cylinder (4.3), the hook (4.4) comprises a hook-shaped structure formed by a butt-joint between a guide rod portion (4.4b) and a hook protrusion (4.4a), and the hook protrusion (4.4a) is positioned at the bottom of the hook (4.4) in the axial direction. A main groove (5.3) is provided in the middle of the lower stopper bottom member (5), a bottom member guide protrusion (5.4) and a bottom member limiting protrusion (5.9) are arranged on an inner peripheral surface of the main groove (5.3), the bottom member guide protrusion (5.4) and the bottom member limiting protrusion (5.9) are sequentially arranged in the peripheral direction, and a guide channel (5.11) is formed between the bottom member guide protrusion and the bottom member limiting protrusion. During assembly, firstly, the lower stopper surface member (4) and the lower stopper bottom member (5) are axially aligned; then, the lower stopper surface member (4) and the lower stopper bottom member (5) rotate while axially moving until the lower stopper surface member and the lower stopper bottom member axially abut against each other; and finally, the lower stopper surface member (4) rotates, such that the hook (4.4) is snap-fitted with the bottom member limiting protrusion (5.9), thereby realizing axial limiting. The step of manually determining whether the lower stopper surface member (4) and the lower stopper bottom member (5) are connected in place can be omitted, and use is facilitated.