Cosmetic Unit Self-Aligning Sleeve Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cosmetic units require additional steps and components in assembly machines due to the need for orientation marks, leading to increased effort and error possibilities during the assembly of storage containers and sleeves.
Innovation Solution
A cosmetic unit design featuring a storage container with a radial, angled step separating two sections, allowing a positioning element from the sleeve to pass through a passage and into a receiving area, enabling self-alignment and simplified assembly by applying force along the longitudinal axis, eliminating the need for relative rotational positioning detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an orientation mark is used on the storage container for aligned assembly with the sleeve, then the assembly can be properly oriented, but additional work steps and error possibilities are introduced during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container and sleeve are designed with self-aligning features including a conical guide surface on the storage container and a corresponding guide element in the sleeve. These features automatically guide the storage container into the correct rotational position during assembly, eliminating the need for external orientation marks and reducing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The conical guide surface creates a self-aligning mechanism where the storage container naturally rotates to the correct position regardless of its initial orientation. This equipotential approach ensures that any starting position can lead to proper alignment through the self-guiding geometric features
2Manufacturing precision
If the assembly machine has additional functions to work with orientation marks and rotate components, then proper assembly orientation can be achieved, but the machine complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The self-aligning geometric features transfer the orientation function from the assembly machine to the components themselves. The conical guide surface and guide element automatically perform the alignment function during the basic assembly motion, eliminating the need for machine-based orientation detection and rotation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation function is extracted from the assembly machine and embedded directly into the storage container and sleeve design. This transfers the complexity from the machine to the simple geometric features of the components, simplifying the machine while maintaining precision
3Manufacturing precision
If orientation marks and positioning functions are added to the assembly system, then assembly accuracy can be improved, but assembly time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The self-aligning features perform the positioning function automatically during the normal assembly insertion motion, eliminating separate positioning steps. The storage container self-rotates to the correct orientation as it is being inserted, combining positioning and assembly into one simultaneous action
Solution Approach 2:
The design eliminates intermediate positioning steps by allowing the storage container to rapidly self-align during insertion. The conical guide surface enables quick rotational adjustment without requiring slow, controlled positioning operations
Data Source
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AI summary
Cosmetic unit with a storage container (1) containing the cosmetic with an extraction opening (2) for the cosmetic and neck (3) for the detachable fastening of a cap closing the extraction opening as well as such a cap and a sleeve (8) preferably enclosing at least the predominant part of the storage container, wherein the storage container has a first section (A1) further away from the storage container neck and a second section (A2) closer to the storage container neck, wherein the first and the second section are separated from one another by a step (4) which extends radially outwards, rotates obliquely to the longitudinal axis in the circumferential direction and, at its apex area closer to the extraction opening, exposes a passage (6) through which a positioning element (9) projecting radially inwards from the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve can pass into a receiving area (7) in which it remains permanently as long as the sleeve is firmly anchored to the storage container.