Automatic Cover-Opening Device With Inclined Guiding Segment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cover-opening devices are limited in their ability to open and close automatically, particularly when a pencil with a flat end is inserted, as they rely on conical tips to transfer axial force into lateral force, making them inconvenient for use with both conical and flat-ended objects.
Innovation Solution
An automatic cover-opening device with a body, cover panels, and a recoil mechanism, featuring a guiding segment with an inclined abutting rib that converts axial insertion force into a lateral component force, allowing easy opening and automatic closure for objects with either conical or flat ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conical recesses are used in sliding panels to transfer axial force to lateral force, then the device can open the cover when a sharpened pencil with conical tip is inserted, but the device cannot open the cover when an unsharpened pencil with flat end is inserted
Solution Approach 1:
The cover panel is divided into multiple functional segments: a recess portion, a guiding segment with inclined abutting rib, and a cover opening portion. This segmentation allows each part to perform a specific function - the inclined abutting rib converts axial force to lateral force while the recess accommodates different object shapes, enabling both conical and flat-ended objects to trigger cover opening
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding segment features an inclined abutting rib with a specific inclination angle relative to the axial direction. This parameter change (introducing the inclined surface) transforms the force transmission mechanism - when an object is inserted axially, the inclined surface converts the axial insertion force into lateral component force that pushes the cover panel to open, regardless of whether the object has a conical or flat end
2Ease of operation
If the cover remains closed to protect the interior, then particles are contained, but objects cannot be inserted for use
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically opens the cover when an object is inserted and automatically closes it when the object is removed, without requiring manual intervention. The inclined abutting rib mechanism self-activates upon insertion, and the recoil mechanism self-closes the cover upon removal, maintaining particle containment while enabling convenient object insertion and removal
Solution Approach 2:
The recoil mechanism is pre-positioned to automatically close the cover panel after object insertion. This preliminary action ensures the cover closes promptly after use, maintaining the protective function of containing particles inside the vessel without requiring manual closing operations
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 versatile and convenient operation by effectively guiding axial forces into lateral forces to open and close the cover, accommodating both conical and flat-ended objects, enhancing usability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a lateral component force is generated due to the inclined guiding edge for displacing said at least one cover panel for opening the insertion hole
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic cover-opening device has a body, at least one cover panel and a recoil mechanism. The body has an insertion hole defined in the body. The at least one cover panel is mounted on the body and moveably closes the insertion hole. Each one of the at least one cover panel has a guiding segment having at least one guiding edge inclined relative to an axis of the insertion hole to guide an axial force along the axis of the insertion hole to a lateral direction non-parallel with the axis, so as to generate a lateral component force for opening the at least one cover panel. The recoil mechanism is disposed on the body to push the at least one cover panel to a closed position for closing the insertion hole. With such an arrangement, an automatic cover-opening device that can be applied for insertion of a rod-like object is provided.