Beverage Container Lid with Orientation-Driven Automatic Port Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage containers lack an efficient mechanism for automatically controlling the opening and closing of the drinking port, which can lead to spills during movement or accidental tilting, and do not prevent unauthorized use.
Innovation Solution
A lid assembly with a plunger assembly and drive assembly that automatically opens and closes the drinking port based on the container's orientation and motion, using a cam mechanism and biasing members, and includes a lockout feature to prevent unauthorized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual lid operation is used in conventional beverage containers, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot automatically control the opening and closing of the drinking port, leading to spills during movement or accidental tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly incorporates a plunger member that can dynamically transition between a first position (blocking the drinking port) and a second position (opening the drinking port). This dynamic mechanism allows the lid to automatically respond to user actions or container orientation changes, enabling automatic control of the drinking port while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid assembly is designed to automatically open or close the drinking port based on container orientation or user interaction without requiring manual intervention. The plunger member self-actuates through the interaction of the cam member and biasing member, allowing the system to serve itself by automatically controlling the drinking port state based on predefined conditions.
2Reliability
If no automatic control mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but spills occur during movement or accidental tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic plunger member responds to container orientation changes by transitioning between blocking and opening positions. When the container is tilted beyond a certain angle, the cam member rotates and pushes the plunger to the second position, automatically opening the drinking port to prevent spills. This dynamic response ensures reliability in preventing spills during movement or accidental tilting.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid assembly incorporates a feedback mechanism where the cam member detects the orientation or movement of the container and automatically actuates the plunger member accordingly. The biasing member provides continuous force to maintain the plunger in the appropriate position based on real-time container state, creating a closed-loop system that prevents spills through automatic feedback-driven control.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple lid structure is used, then manufacturing is easy, but unauthorized use cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a lid body, a plunger member, a cam member, and a biasing member. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard manufacturing processes, maintaining ease of production. The lockout feature is integrated as a separate functional element within this segmented structure, enabling unauthorized use prevention without requiring complete redesign of the entire lid assembly.
4Ease of operation
If manual operation is used, then the device is simple to operate, but user convenience is reduced during active use
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly operates autonomously by utilizing the natural movement or orientation changes of the container to actuate the plunger member. The cam member converts container motion into plunger displacement automatically, eliminating the need for separate motors, sensors, or electronic control systems. This self-service approach provides automatic opening and closing functionality while keeping the overall device complexity low and maintaining ease of operation.
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
The solution ensures the drinking port is automatically controlled to prevent spills during normal use and unauthorized access, maintaining a liquid-tight seal and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a cam member configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis and push the plunger member between the first position and the second position
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member configured to bias the plunger member towards the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A lid assembly configured to close an opening in a vessel holding a liquid. The lid assembly includes a drinking port, plunger member, and drive assembly. The plunger member is moveable between closed and open positions with respect to the drinking port. The plunger member prevents the liquid from flowing through the drinking port when the plunger member is in the closed position and allows the liquid to flow through the drinking port when the plunger member is in the open position. The drive assembly includes drive circuitry that automatically directs the drive assembly to move the plunger member to the open position when the drive circuitry detects the lid assembly is in a drinking position. The drive circuitry automatically directs the drive assembly to move the plunger member to the closed position when the drive circuitry detects the lid assembly is in other than the drinking position.