Elastic Arm Cap Assembly for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers with thermal management systems face challenges in securely locking the cap assembly, allowing unauthorized access and potential leakage of thermal regulation fluids.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly design featuring a cap with an elastic arm that extends obliquely, engaging with protrusions and recesses on the container body to lock and unlock the container, requiring a specific operating tool for unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple cap design is used, then ease of operation is improved, but security and prevention of unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly incorporates a rotatable cap body that can rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking mechanism dynamically engages with the container body at specific rotational positions to secure the container, while allowing controlled rotation for authorized access. This dynamic locking mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing secure locking when needed while maintaining ease of operation for authorized users.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the cap, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the cap body structure itself. The cap body integrates both the sealing function and the locking function through its rotational design and engagement features with the container body. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate, independent locking components, thereby providing enhanced security while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If an operating tool is required for unlocking, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is designed to be self-locking through its rotational mechanism that automatically engages with the container body at the locked position. The system serves itself by using the cap's own rotation and engagement features to secure the container without requiring external tools. Authorized users can operate the cap by simply rotating it, and the self-locking mechanism provides security without additional tool requirements.
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 effectively secures the container by preventing unauthorized rotation and ensures controlled access, maintaining the integrity of the thermal management system.
Implementation Method 1
a cap assembly, comprising a cap and an elastic arm. The elastic arm is disposed on the cap and extends obliquely with respect to a radial direction of the cap
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a container and a cap assembly. The container includes a component having an opening, and the cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a cap and an elastic arm. The elastic arm is disposed on the cap and extends obliquely with respect to a radial direction of the cap. At least a portion of the elastic arm is capable of being received in a recess and abuts against a second protrusion to prevent the cap assembly from rotating in a first direction relative to the component having the opening, such that the cap assembly is locked with the component having the opening; and the at least a portion of the elastic arm is capable of being released from the recess to unlock the component having the opening. The cap assembly of the present disclosure is capable of engaging with the component having the opening, such that the cap assembly cannot be unlocked without a specific tool (e.g., an operating tool).