Sealable Lid Button Cam Mechanism for Reliable Container Gasket Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage containers with lids lack an efficient mechanism for sealing, as they often rely on simple mechanical or gasket-based solutions that may not provide a secure or reliable seal, especially under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A storage container assembly featuring a lid with a button, gasket, gasket pusher, and arm mechanism that moves the gasket between contracted and expanded states, ensuring a secure seal by using a cam mechanism and tensile connector elements to maintain the gasket in an expanded position when the button is depressed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple mechanical or gasket-based sealing solution is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the seal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is designed to be dynamically adjustable between expanded and contracted states. When the button is depressed, the cam mechanism transforms the axial movement into radial expansion of the gasket, allowing it to dynamically adapt to sealing requirements. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing reliable sealing only when needed, rather than maintaining constant complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is designed to preliminarily position the gasket in an expanded state before sealing is required. The button depression pre-activates the sealing mechanism, ensuring the gasket is already in the correct position and state when sealing is needed, thereby improving reliability without requiring permanently complex structures.
2Reliability
If a cam mechanism with button actuation is used to expand the gasket, then the seal reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the simple button press and the gasket expansion. It translates the easy axial button movement into the required radial gasket expansion, making the operation intuitive and easy while achieving reliable sealing. The cam converts a simple linear motion into the complex motion needed for sealing.
3Reliability
If the gasket is maintained in an expanded state for reliable sealing, then the seal reliability is improved, but the loss of energy increases due to constant tension
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket expansion is implemented as a periodic action rather than a continuous state. The gasket is expanded only when the button is depressed and sealing is required, then contracted when not in use. This periodic activation eliminates continuous energy consumption while maintaining sealing reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The button depression preliminarily activates the gasket expansion only when sealing is required. This preliminary action ensures the gasket is expanded at the precise moment needed for sealing, rather than maintaining constant expansion, thereby reducing energy loss from continuous tension.
4Reliability
If a complex mechanism with multiple moving parts is used, then the seal reliability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the button, cam mechanism, gasket pusher, and gasket. This segmentation allows individual parts to be easily accessed, inspected, and replaced independently. If one component fails, only that specific segment needs repair rather than the entire mechanism, improving ease of repair while maintaining reliability.
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 mechanism ensures a reliable and secure seal for the container, maintaining the gasket in contact with the container's inner surface to prevent leakage, and allows easy assembly and disassembly for convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The gasket pusher is moveable in a second axial direction, which is transverse to the first axial direction, between a retracted position and an extended position. The gasket pusher pushes the gasket toward the expanded state when moving from the retracted position toward the extended position.
Implementation Method 2
The gasket is moveable between a contracted state and an expanded state. The gasket pusher pushes the gasket toward the expanded state when moving from the retracted position toward the extended position.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container assembly includes a container and a lid. The lid includes a top lid, a button, a gasket, a gasket pusher, and an arm. The button is moveable in a first axial direction between a projected position in which a top surface of the button is offset from an upper surface of the lid and a depressed position in which the top surface of the button is nearer to the upper surface. The gasket is moveable between a contracted state and an expanded state. The gasket pusher is moveable in a second axial direction, which is transverse to the first axial direction, and pushes the gasket. The arm operatively connects the button with the gasket pusher. Movement of the button from the projected position toward the depressed position results in pivotal movement of the arm and moves the gasket pusher in the second axial direction.