Cap assembly and bottle assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cap assemblies for refrigeration systems in vehicles require a large height due to threaded locking mechanisms, which is inconvenient for components like refrigerant pots, and do not efficiently manage gas expansion during temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly with an elastic arm and sealing ring that locks to a bottle head via lock portions, allowing for a compact design and gas discharge through an exhaust passage during unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded locking mechanism is used in the cap assembly, then the locking reliability is improved, but the height of the cap assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: lock portions on the cap, lock accommodating portions on the bottle head, and elastic arms that provide locking force. This segmentation allows the locking function to be achieved without requiring a tall threaded structure, as each component contributes to the overall locking reliability through its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using threads that require vertical engagement space, the patent inverts the approach by using elastic arms that push lock portions into lock accommodating portions. The locking force is applied horizontally rather than vertically, eliminating the need for tall threaded structures while maintaining locking reliability.
2Length of moving object
If the cap assembly is designed to be compact, then the vehicle height is reduced, but the ability to manage gas expansion during temperature changes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly includes pre-designed exhaust passages and lock accommodating portions that are prepared in advance to handle gas expansion. When temperature changes cause gas expansion, the system is already configured with pathways (exhaust passages) and structural elements (lock accommodating portions) that can accommodate the pressure changes without requiring additional height or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms and lock accommodating portions act as intermediaries that manage gas expansion pressure. Instead of directly transmitting expansion forces to the cap structure, the elastic arms absorb and distribute these forces, while the lock accommodating portions provide controlled release pathways through exhaust passages, enabling compact design while maintaining gas expansion management capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the elastic arm is used to provide locking force, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the sealing effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking function and sealing function into a single integrated elastic arm structure. The elastic arm simultaneously provides locking force through the lock portions and ensures sealing by maintaining contact between the cap and bottle head. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the dual-function design.
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 cap assembly maintains a compact size, effectively sealing during locking and allowing gas discharge during unlocking, reducing vehicle height and preventing overflow.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic arm is configured such that when the cap assembly is locked to the bottle head, the elastic arm abuts against a top wall of the receiving portion and a top wall of the bottle head, to apply forces in opposite directions to the cap and the bottle head, so as to retain the at least one lock portion in the at least one lock accommodating portion.
Implementation Method 2
The cap assembly further comprises a sealing ring sleeved on the outer side of the inner cylinder. The sealing ring is configured such that when the cap assembly is locked to the bottle head, the sealing ring abuts against the bottle body, so as to seal the inner cylinder from the bottle body.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a cap assembly and a bottle assembly. The cap assembly is configured to lock a bottle. The bottle includes a bottle head having at least one lock accommodating portion and comprises a bottle body. The cap assembly includes a cap, an elastic arm and at least one lock portion. The cap defines an annular receiving portion having an opening facing downward, and the bottle head can enter the receiving portion through the opening. The elastic arm is annular and is arranged in the receiving portion. The at least one lock portion is arranged on the cap and is configured to be capable of cooperating with the at least one lock accommodating portion of the bottle head, so as to lock the cap assembly to the bottle head. When the cap assembly is locked to the bottle head, the elastic arm abuts against a top wall of the receiving portion and a top wall of the bottle head, to apply forces in opposite directions to the cap and the bottle head, so as to retain the at least one lock portion in the at least one lock accommodating portion. The cap assembly of the present application has a relatively small height, and during unlocking of the bottle assembly of the present application, gas in a bottle body cavity can be discharged from the bottle through an exhaust passage.