Zipper structure Working principle

Zippers, buckles and ropes can be used as fastening devices to dress our clothes and bags together. Its special feature is that the two components can be tightly stitched together in an instant and can be opened in an instant. Let people's dressing speed be doubled.

Nowadays, various styles of zippers have become an important element for designers to play inspiration. We are very familiar with how to use the zipper. Now it seems that we can complete the action subconsciously, just like walking with open legs.

However, the zipper is not "from ancient times", but a modern invention. In 1993, the 100th anniversary of the invention of zipper, it was considered by many critics as "one of the most important inventions in the world in the past 100 years". How did you get such a high rating for the seemingly inconspicuous zipper?

Zipper structure

Although the zipper is small, it is actually very knowledgeable. Although it seems to be changing, it cannot change without its roots. Its structure is mainly divided into three parts: tape, zipper elements and slider. According to the function of zipper, it can be divided into three types: closed zipper, open zipper and reverse zipper.

The closed zipper is mostly used for the front placket of trousers and the pocket of jacket, while the open zipper is used for the front placket of jacket. In addition, there are many kinds of closed zippers for luggage, such as the two ends of the double pull head are opposite and the two ends are opposite.

Working principle of zipper

Our common zipper is always opaque, which may be the reason why many people feel strange about the working principle of zipper. Let's zoom in on a metal zipper.

The shape of the zipper teeth on the left and right sides is exactly the same, and the spacing between the adjacent zipper teeth is the same. At the bite of the zipper teeth, one side can be seen to have bumps and the other side has dents. When pulling the pull head, the zipper teeth on the left and right sides complete the bite action through these bumps and grooves.

The "Y" structure in the pull head is the key

When the zipper is pulled up (closed), the pull head moves up, and the zipper teeth move down. The zipper teeth pass through the "Y" structure along the track on the pull head. The zipper teeth on the left and right sides are closed in turn with a certain opening angle. The protrusions and grooves on the edge of the teeth are hooked together to fix the zipper. When the zipper is pulled down (opened), the pull head moves downward, and the zipper teeth move upward.

The wedge in the "Y" structure of the pull head pushes the zipper teeth away at a certain angle to complete the unlocking. In this process, the "Y" structure on the pull head is an ingenious and important mechanism. The "Y" branch angle in the pull head is 50 °~60 °. Different sizes and types of zippers may have different angles.