Drinking container with modular coupling component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage containers lack efficient and secure coupling mechanisms to modular storage units, particularly in environments where movement and vibration are common, such as construction sites, leading to potential dislodging and loss.
Innovation Solution
The development of a drinking container with a coupling mechanism that includes a biasing element, such as a gasket or spring, which secures the container to a modular storage unit by engaging with ribs or cleats, ensuring stable attachment even during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple coupling interface is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of attachment deteriorates under movement and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a coupling interface with ledges for positioning, a biasing element for maintaining contact force, and engagement features for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element introduces dynamic adaptability to the coupling mechanism, allowing it to automatically adjust to variations in assembly tolerances, wear, and vibration. The spring-loaded or elastomeric biasing element maintains constant contact force between the container and storage unit, ensuring reliable attachment under varying conditions.
2Reliability
If a secure coupling mechanism with biasing element is implemented, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling interface and biasing element are integrated into a unified coupling mechanism that attaches to a single modular storage unit interface. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps compared to using multiple discrete fasteners or connectors, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable attachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular coupling system is designed for versatility, then the adaptability to different storage units is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed with standardized interface features (ledges, engagement surfaces, biasing element configuration) that can interface with various modular storage unit designs. This universal design allows the same coupling mechanism to work across different storage unit types in the modular system, achieving versatility without requiring multiple specialized coupling designs.
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 coupling mechanism provides a secure and reliable attachment of the drinking container to modular storage units, preventing dislodging and ensuring the container remains attached during transportation and use, enhancing convenience and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element coupled to a bottom of the storage body... The biasing element biases the bottom surface of the storage body against the modular storage unit
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A container (110), such as a beverage container, is provided. The container (110) includes a storage body defining a containment area (122) for liquids, the storage body extending along a longitudinal axis (112); an opening (124) at a top of the containment area (122); a bottom panel (114) coupled to a bottom end of the storage body, the bottom panel defines a bottom-most surface (116) facing away from the opening (124); and a plurality of tabs (136) that extend radially outwardly from the bottom panel (114) with respect to the longitudinal axis (112), each of the plurality of tabs (136) extending circumferentially around the bottom panel (114) with respect to the longitudinal axis (112).