Frangible Coupling Member for Torque-Limited Container Closure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The reproducibility of threaded necks with the same standard is inconsistent, leading to varying screwing torques, which can damage containers or attached devices, and existing solutions either slow down assembly lines or fail to prevent overscrewing, compromising secure closure systems.
Innovation Solution
An attached device with a first ring and a second ring, where the coupling member has a separate rupture zone that breaks at a predefined torque, dissociating the coupling and rupture zones to ensure precise decoupling and prevent excessive screwing, featuring a coupling zone and a rupture zone designed to break under excessive torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the screwing torque is increased to ensure secure attachment, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the container and attached device may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is divided into two distinct functional zones: a coupling zone that maintains rotational connection between rings, and a rupture zone that breaks at a predefined torque threshold. This segmentation allows the system to provide secure attachment through the coupling zone while preventing damage by sacrificing the rupture zone when excessive torque is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The rupture zone converts the harmful effect of excessive screwing torque into a beneficial safety mechanism. When the torque exceeds the threshold, the rupture zone breaks to prevent damage to the container and attached device, transforming what would be a harmful force into a protective trigger.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the screwing torque is adjusted for each container standard to prevent damage, then the damage risk is reduced, but the assembly line efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The attached device performs self-regulation of the screwing process through its intrinsic rupture zone. When the predefined torque threshold is reached, the rupture zone automatically breaks to prevent damage, eliminating the need for external torque adjustment mechanisms or line stoppages for each container standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The rupture zone is designed with specific mechanical parameters (material properties, geometry) that define a precise torque threshold. This parameter design allows the same attached device to work across different container standards without requiring adjustment, as the rupture zone naturally adapts to the maximum safe torque for each standard.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the coupling means are made breakable at a threshold torque, then the protection against overscrewing is improved, but the uncertainty of breaking timing may cause excessive screwing
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member exhibits different local qualities in different zones: the coupling zone provides strong, reliable rotational connection, while the rupture zone is designed with specific local properties (material, geometry) that ensure breaking at a precise, predictable torque threshold. This local differentiation ensures both protection against overscrewing and certainty in breaking timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rupture zone is pre-designed with specific mechanical properties that determine its breaking behavior. By preparing the rupture zone with known material and geometric characteristics before assembly, the breaking timing becomes predictable and certain, eliminating uncertainty about when the safety mechanism will activate.
Data Source
AI summary
An attached device for a threaded neck of a container, including a first ring provided with a thread which allows the first ring to be screwed onto a threaded neck of the container, and a second ring that rotates as one with the first ring with the aid of at least one coupling member which is separate from at least one of the first and second rings and includes at least one zone for coupling to the at least one first, second ring from which it is separate, the coupling member including a breaking zone separate from the coupling zone and intended to break starting at a threshold rotational torque applied between the first and second rings.