Flip-Top Water Dispenser Lid Lever for One-Hand Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water dispensers with hinged lids are cumbersome to open, require extra effort, and often need to be held open during filling, making them uncomfortable and inconvenient for users, especially when filling under a faucet.
Innovation Solution
A flip top lid assembly with a lever that allows the lid to rotate open easily, requiring only downward pressure and staying open to 90 degrees without user intervention, featuring a separate lever and flip lid component for improved ergonomics and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged lid with press member is used, then the lid can be opened during water refill, but the user needs to apply extra pressure and use two hands making it cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into a fixed lid component and a separate flip lid component, allowing independent movement of the flip lid portion while the fixed portion remains stable on the dispenser body
Solution Approach 2:
A lever component acts as an intermediary mechanism between user input and the flip lid, translating downward pressure on the press member into rotational movement of the flip lid through a fulcrum point
2Ease of operation
If the press member has curvature design, then the lid can be actuated, but the user needs to apply pressure in multiple directions and over-reach making it uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The press member is designed with a flat top surface rather than curvature, concentrating the actuation force at a specific location and providing a stable, ergonomic surface for thumb pressure in a single downward direction
3Ease of operation
If the hinged lid is designed to open, then access to upper chamber is provided, but the lid may not open to 90 degrees preventing easy filling
Solution Approach 1:
The flip lid component is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to rotate freely through a substantial arc (at least 90 degrees) from closed to open position, providing adequate access for filling operations
4Productivity
If the lid is removed completely, then filling is simple, but the dispenser lacks protection and requires replacing the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The flip lid component is pre-positioned in an open state when the lever is actuated, allowing immediate filling without requiring the user to manually hold or adjust the lid position during the filling process
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism automatically maintains the flip lid in the open position during filling through its mechanical design, eliminating the need for continuous user intervention to keep the lid open
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 flip top lid assembly provides a comfortable, easy-to-use solution that reduces the effort needed to open the lid and allows for efficient filling without requiring continuous user input, enhancing usability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the lever comprises a press member on one end and an actuation arm on a far end of the lever opposite from the press member. A downward force applied to the press member causes the lever to rotate around a first pivot point
Implementation Method 2
the flip lid component pivots around a second pivot point and rotates open in response to a resulting force applied at the actuation point
Data Source
AI summary
A cover for a portable fluid dispenser is disclosed. The cover comprises a flip lid component operable to rotate open to provide access to a liquid storage cavity of the portable fluid dispenser. It also comprises a lever operatively coupled to the flip lid component, wherein the lever comprises a press member on one end and an actuation arm on a far end of the lever opposite from the press member. A downward force applied to the press member causes the lever to rotate around a first pivot point. Further, the rotation of the lever around the first pivot point causes the actuation arm to push on the flip lid component at an actuation point, wherein the flip lid component pivots around a second pivot point and rotates open in response to a resulting force applied at the actuation point.