Bistable Lid Closure with Flexible Opening Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snap closures require significant force and specific exposure of pressure points for switching between bistable states, limiting design options and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with a three-dimensional structure where forces applied at predefined points cause the cover to snap between states, utilizing flexible opening walls and geometric designs that allow lever arm mechanisms to reduce the required force, enabling one-handed operation without a handle element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If force is applied at the edge or handle of the cover to trigger the snap mechanism, then the bistable state can be switched, but the minimum force required is high and the design is limited by the need for exposed pressure points
Solution Approach 1:
The opening wall acts as an intermediary element that transmits force from predefined points on the three-dimensional structure to the edge section of the cover. This mediator mechanism allows force application at convenient locations while the opening wall's flexibility and geometry amplify and redirect the force to trigger the snap action, reducing the minimum force required from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the force application from a direct linear push at the cover edge to a three-dimensional force transmission path. By defining predefined points on the opening wall and utilizing the wall's flexibility, the system creates a lever arm mechanism where force applied at one location is transmitted through the wall's deformation to act on the cover edge, effectively using spatial geometry to reduce required force.
2Ease of operation
If the opening wall is made flexible to transmit force, then force transmission to the edge section is improved, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The opening wall is designed with non-uniform properties: it has greater flexibility at the predefined force transmission points where local deformation is needed to trigger the snap mechanism, while maintaining sufficient overall structural integrity. The flexibility is localized to specific regions that need to deform, while other areas of the wall and the overall structure retain adequate strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes controlled changes in the opening wall's physical parameters - specifically its flexibility and geometric configuration - to enable force transmission. By carefully selecting the wall's material properties and geometric design, the system achieves the right balance between flexibility for force transmission and strength for structural integrity, with the wall's deformation characteristics being a key controllable parameter.
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 system allows for easier and more versatile snapping between bistable states with reduced force requirements, enhancing user convenience and design flexibility by leveraging flexible materials and geometric leverages.
Implementation Method 1
the opening wall of the three-dimensional structure is flexible at least at the predefined point such that, through elastic deformation, it transmits a force acting transversely to the insertion direction
Data Source
Figure 1a~1f
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 2e~3f
AI summary
The invention relates to a closure system with a three-dimensional structure (10a, 10b) and a lid (20, 30) for plugging onto the three-dimensional structure (10a, 10b) in order to close the opening (11a, 11b) thereof. The lid (20, 30) has an end wall (21, 31) that can be deformed in a bistable manner between a first state, in which the end wall is curved in the plug-in direction, and a second state, in which the end wall is curved against the plug-in direction, and an annular edge section (22, 32). The edge section has a greater outer circumference in the first bistable state than in the second bistable state and is therefore designed to produce a clamping fixture of the lid (20, 30) to a wall region (12a, 12b) of the opening (11a, 11b) in that the edge section (22, 32) is pressed inwards in the first state or outwards against the wall region (12a, 12b) in the second state. The three-dimensional structure (10a, 10b) is configured so as to transfer a force exerted onto the closure system from the outside at specified locations (A2, B2) such that the force leads to a snapping process of the lid (20, 30) from one bistable state into the other bistable state.