Heatable canteen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heatable canteens lack multifunctional characteristics, such as secure fluid containment during transportation and efficient temperature indication, and do not provide a convenient means to handle and cook with the vessel over a fire.
Innovation Solution
A heatable canteen design featuring a removable cap with a spring-loaded pressure relief valve and pivotable arms for secure fluid containment and easy handling, allowing the canteen to be used over a fire, with an optional secondary cooking vessel and a safety relief valve for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable cap with valve is used to contain fluid securely, then fluid containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the removable cap itself, the valve mechanism with movable valve member, and the spring element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system reliability for fluid containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded valve mechanism automatically responds to pressure changes within the canteen. When internal pressure exceeds the spring force, the valve member moves to relieve pressure without requiring user intervention, thereby maintaining fluid containment reliability through self-regulating behavior.
2Loss of information
If a spring-loaded pressure relief valve is added to indicate heating status, then temperature indication is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded valve provides tactile and auditory feedback to the user about the heating status. As the fluid heats and pressure builds, the spring compresses and eventually the valve opens with a audible click or visible movement, informing the user that the desired temperature has been reached without requiring separate temperature sensors or indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve utilizes the pneumatic pressure generated by heating the fluid to indicate temperature status. The spring force is calibrated so that at the desired temperature, the internal pressure overcomes the spring force and opens the valve, providing a mechanical indication of heating completion through pressure-driven actuation.
3Ease of operation
If pivotable arms are added to provide handling capability, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable arms transition from a static to a dynamic configuration. The arms can be pivoted between a stored position during normal carrying and an extended operational position when cooking over fire. This dynamic adaptability provides enhanced handling capability for different operational scenarios while maintaining a compact form when not in use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the canteen is designed for heating over fire, then adaptability is improved, but reliability worsens due to pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded valve is pre-configured with a spring constant that allows controlled pressure buildup before relief. The spring acts as a cushioning element that absorbs gradual pressure increases during heating, then progressively releases pressure when the threshold is reached, preventing dangerous pressure spikes while enabling safe heating over fire.
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
Ensures secure fluid containment across orientations, alerts the user when fluids are sufficiently heated, and allows for convenient handling and cooking, enhancing the multifunctionality of the canteen while ensuring safety through pressure relief mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a spring is operably disposed about the valve stem in a manner to bias the valve head seal against the valve seat to a normally closed position
Implementation Method 2
upon sufficient heat being applied the pressure builds to cause the spring to compress relieving the pressure and alerting the user that the fluids are sufficiently heated
Implementation Method 3
connected to a secondary vessel which removably friction fits about the hand held vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A hand held heatable vessel has a bottom and upward extending wall which terminates into a top having an open top receiving surface, a removable cap connects to the top receiving surface, the removable cap has an outer portion which removably sealably connects to the top receiving surface and has an interior channel extending therethrough and has a valve seat in a lower end thereof, a valve stem with a valve head seal is operably disposed in the interior channel and a spring is operably disposed about the valve stem in a manner to bias the valve head seal against the valve seat to a normally closed position. A secondary vessel is provided about the hand held heatable vessel.