Zipper, slider for a zipper and method for operating a zipper

Abstract

A zipper ( 1 ) comprising at least one sensor unit ( 9 ), wherein the at least one sensor unit ( 9 ) is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider ( 2 ) of the zipper ( 1 ) and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position. A slider ( 2 ) for a zipper ( 1 ) and a method for operating a zipper ( 1 ) are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A zipper comprising:
 at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position.   
     
     
         2 . The zipper according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the zipper comprises at least one wireless communication interface, the at least one wireless communication interface being configured to transmit the slider position signal and/or the slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom. 
     
     
         3 . The zipper according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one sensor unit is arranged at, on, or in a slider of the zipper. 
     
     
         4 . The zipper according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the at least one sensor unit comprises at least one optical sensor for detecting teeth or closure elements of the zipper running past the slider when closing and/or opening the zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The zipper according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one radiation source, which is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of at least one defined wavelength or in at least one defined wavelength range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past. 
     
     
         6 . The zipper according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one sound source, which is configured to emit sound waves of at least one defined frequency or in at least one defined frequency range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the sound waves emitted by the sound source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past. 
     
     
         7 . The zipper according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed, at least partly, as part of an electrical component such that an electrical and/or magnetic property of the electrical component can be changed on the basis of the slider position and/or a closure state of the zipper, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect the electrical and/or magnetic property and/or a change in the electrical and/or magnetic property. 
     
     
         8 . The zipper according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the tape and/or teeth or closure elements together with the slider are designed to provide sliding resistance, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect an electrical resistance that is dependent on the slider position. 
     
     
         9 . The zipper according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the sides of the tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed as capacitor electrodes of a capacitor having a capacitance that varies on the basis of the slider position, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect a capacitance of the capacitor. 
     
     
         10 . The zipper according to  claim 9 , characterized by a direction-detecting sensor unit that is arranged in, at, or on the slider, is mechanically connected to a slider tab of the zipper, and is designed to detect a pulling direction and/or pushing direction when the slider is actuated and to provide a directional signal corresponding thereto. 
     
     
         11 . The zipper according to  claim 9 , characterized in that at least one reset element for resetting the slider position in a targeted manner is formed at least at an upper tape end and/or at a lower tape end in at least one reset position. 
     
     
         12 . A slider for a zipper, comprising at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of the slider on the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position. 
     
     
         13 . A method for operating a zipper, wherein by means of at least one sensor unit, a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper is detected and a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position is provided. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that at least one electronic and/or mechanical device is controlled by means of the provided slider position signal and/or the provided slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom. 
     
     
         15 . The zipper according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one sound source, which is configured to emit sound waves of at least one defined frequency or in at least one defined frequency range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the sound waves emitted by the sound source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past. 
     
     
         16 . The zipper according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one sound source, which is configured to emit sound waves of at least one defined frequency or in at least one defined frequency range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the sound waves emitted by the sound source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past. 
     
     
         17 . The zipper according to  claim 2 , characterized in that a tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed, at least partly, as part of an electrical component such that an electrical and/or magnetic property of the electrical component can be changed on the basis of the slider position and/or a closure state of the zipper, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect the electrical and/or magnetic property and/or a change in the electrical and/or magnetic property. 
     
     
         18 . The zipper according to  claim 3 , characterized in that a tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed, at least partly, as part of an electrical component such that an electrical and/or magnetic property of the electrical component can be changed on the basis of the slider position and/or a closure state of the zipper, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect the electrical and/or magnetic property and/or a change in the electrical and/or magnetic property. 
     
     
         19 . The zipper according to  claim 1 , characterized by a direction-detecting sensor unit that is arranged in, at, or on the slider, is mechanically connected to a slider tab of the zipper, and is designed to detect a pulling direction and/or pushing direction when the slider is actuated and to provide a directional signal corresponding thereto. 
     
     
         20 . The zipper according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one reset element for resetting the slider position in a targeted manner is formed at least at an upper tape end and/or at a lower tape end in at least one reset position.