Can Opener Lid Release Mechanism for Touch-Free Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can openers require users to touch the lid after opening, risking soiling and injury from sharp edges.
Innovation Solution
A can opener with a rotating device, traction device, and cutting device that automatically releases the lid without user contact, featuring multiple positions for cutting, lifting, and releasing the lid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the user manually removes the lid from the can opener after opening, then the lid can be disposed of, but the user risks soiling and injury from sharp edges
Solution Approach 1:
The can opener automatically releases the lid from the can opener body without requiring user contact. The engagement element disengages from the lid automatically after the cutting operation is complete, allowing the lid to be removed freely by gravity or minor movement, thus the system serves itself to eliminate the harmful contact requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is extracted from the can opener body through automatic release mechanism. The engagement element that initially grips the lid for cutting operation automatically disengages, separating the lid from the can opener without requiring user intervention, thereby removing the lid from the potentially harmful environment of the can opener
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the can opener is designed with automatic release mechanism, then user safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element is designed with dynamic characteristics, being movable relative to the can opener body along a curved path. This mobility allows the engagement element to automatically transition between engaged and disengaged states based on the operational phase, providing automatic release functionality without requiring complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element serves multiple functions: it engages the lid during cutting operation, maintains grip during lifting, and automatically releases after operation. This multi-functionality is achieved through its curved movement path and elastic properties, allowing a single component to handle multiple operational requirements without adding significant complexity
3Productivity
If the engagement element remains engaged with the lid after opening, then continuous use is enabled, but manual release is required which poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element exhibits periodic engagement and disengagement behavior. It engages with the lid at the start of each cutting operation, maintains engagement throughout the cutting and lifting phases, and automatically disengages after operation completion. This periodic action pattern enables continuous use while eliminating the need for manual release and associated safety risks
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A can opener (1) for opening a can (2) comprises a rotating device (4), a body (5), a traction device (6), and a cutting device (7). The rotating device (4) is rotatably arranged on the body (5) and is configured to rotate about a rotation axis (R) along a first rotation direction (r1) and along a second rotation direction (r2) running opposite to the first rotation direction (r1). The traction device (6) is arranged on the body (5) and is configured to adapt at least a traction device cutting position (tc) upon rotation of the rotating device (4) along the first rotation direction (r1) and to adapt a traction device lifting position (tl) upon rotation of the rotating device (4) along the second rotation direction (r2). The traction device (6) in the traction device cutting position (tc) and the cutting device (7) are arranged so as to open a can (2). The can opener (1) further comprises a removal device (8) comprising at least one engagement element (9), wherein the traction device (6) in the traction device lifting position (tl) and the engagement element (9) in a removal device lifting position (rl) are arranged such as to engage a lid (3) of an opened can (2). The can opener (1) is further configured such that an actuation of the removal device (8) transfers the traction device (6) into a traction device release position (tr) and the removal device (8) into a removal device release position (rr), whereby an engagement between the traction device (6) and the engagement element (9) with the lid (3) is removed.