Lid assembly for a drinking container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid assemblies for drinking containers are complex, difficult to clean, and prone to contamination due to intricate mechanisms that complicate the separation and alignment of components, leading to issues with durability, reliability, and user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A lid assembly design featuring a releasable mounting member with a support frame that slidingly fits within the lid housing, allowing for easy disconnection and reconnection, facilitating thorough cleaning and simplifying the alignment process, while maintaining structural integrity and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid assembly includes a complex mechanism to open and close the drinking opening, then the functionality and user convenience are improved, but the device complexity increases and cleanability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is divided into separable components: a lid body and a sealing assembly that can be detached from each other. The sealing assembly includes the sealing element and its mounting structure, which can be separated from the lid body for independent cleaning. This segmentation reduces the complexity of cleaning while maintaining the functional mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the sealing assembly is pivotally mounted to the lid assembly, then the sealing element can be moved between open and closed positions, but the cleanability deteriorates because the sealing assembly remains attached
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing assembly is designed with movable mounting means that allow it to be selectively positioned between a locked position (where it is secured to the lid body) and an unlocked position (where it can be removed). This dynamic design enables the sealing assembly to be detached for thorough cleaning while maintaining its sealing function during use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guide members and guide tracks are positioned non-centrally, then the sealing assembly can be released from the lid housing, but the alignment difficulty increases and manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting means are designed with asymmetric features including a protrusion on the sealing assembly that engages with a corresponding recess in the lid body. This asymmetric design provides self-alignment during assembly, reducing the need for precise manual alignment while enabling the sealing assembly to be securely attached and easily released.
4Ease of operation
If the locking assembly has a locking element moveable between three positions, then the operational control is improved, but the device complexity increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, simple feature of the mounting means rather than a complex multi-position locking assembly. The mounting means includes a simple locking mechanism that can be easily engaged and disengaged, reducing the number of moving parts and potential failure points while maintaining operational control.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a lid assembly (1) comprising a lid housing (10) with a circumferential side wall and a drinking opening (12), a sealing assembly (20) with sealing element (21) moveable between a first and second position for closing and opening the drinking opening (12), and an operating assembly (40) to move the sealing element (21) between first and second position. The invention further concerns an interior mechanism for a lid assembly, and a drinking container comprising such a lid assembly.