Flow Control Disk Design for Spill-Resistant Drinking Vessels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking vessels fail to effectively prevent spills of hot fluids during jostling or sudden movements, such as when driving, as they either allow spills or compromise the sipping experience.
Innovation Solution
A drinking set with a flow control disk inside the cup that creates a tortured fluid path using steeply angled entry and exit fins, reducing kinetic energy and fluid flow, combined with a silicone lid and optional cover for additional spill resistance and insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screens, lids or baffles are used to reduce fluid spilling, then spill prevention is improved, but the sipping experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control lid is divided into multiple functional segments: entry fins for energy absorption, entry openings for fluid passage, exit fins for flow direction control, and exit openings for calibrated fluid discharge. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, preventing spills while maintaining smooth fluid flow for comfortable sipping.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the flow control lid have different properties tailored to their functions: entry fins have steep angles for energy absorption, exit fins have specific orientations for flow direction, and opening sizes are locally optimized to balance spill prevention with sipping comfort. This local quality optimization resolves the contradiction between spill prevention and sipping experience.
2Reliability
If complex spill prevention designs are implemented, then spill control is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple spill prevention functions (energy absorption, flow direction control, fluid filtration) are merged into a single flow control lid component. This integration achieves complex fluid control through one unified structure rather than multiple separate components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective spill prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control lid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a spill prevention barrier, an energy absorption structure, a flow direction controller, and a fluid filtration element. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive fluid control without requiring multiple separate components, simplifying the overall design.
3Reliability
If traditional lids are used to prevent spills, then spill reduction is achieved, but cleaning and sanitation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control lid is constructed as a homogeneous structure with smooth surfaces and integrated components without crevices or separate parts. This homogeneity eliminates hard-to-reach areas where fluid can accumulate, making the entire surface easily cleanable and maintainable while preserving spill prevention functionality.
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 drinking set significantly reduces spills and provides a consistent, enjoyable sipping experience even during bumpy conditions, while being easy to clean and manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
The angle of the entry fins is such that some of the energy from the agitated fluid is absorbed in the entry fins, and some is reflected back into the cup. Thus, these lower entry fins act to reduce the level of kinetic energy in the fluid
Implementation Method 2
Fluid moving from the cup first hits a set of steeply angled entry fins, which absorb or reflect energy in the fluid. The fluid passes through a set of small entry openings, and flow to a set of exit fins, where the fluid strikes a face of the exit fins and changes direction
Data Source
AI summary
Briefly, a drinking set is provided that has a cup and a flow control disk set fully inside the cup. The flow control disk is constructed for creating a tortured flow path for any fluid flowing out of the cup. In this way, spills are substantially reduced or minimized, and the user has a stable and predictable sipping experience, even when the cup is jostled or violently moved. Fluid moving from the cup first hits a set of steeply angled entry fins, which absorb or reflect energy in the fluid. The fluid passes through a set of small entry openings, and flow to a set of exit fins, where the fluid strikes a face of the exit fins and changes direction to a set of larger exit openings. This tortured fluid path causes the drinking fluid to have a controlled flow and reduced kinetic energy as it approaches the user's mouth, multiple changes in flow direction, and provides several obstacles for absorbing kinetic energy and thus slowing the flow of the fluid.