Container Lid Operation Arrangement With Hydraulic Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container lid operation mechanisms, such as foot-operated and electrically-operated systems, face issues like reduced inner container volume, noise generation, and potential damage due to excessive force requirements, especially when the lid panel is forced to close against gravity, and existing damper mechanisms are inefficient and not suitable for electrically-operated containers.
Innovation Solution
A lid operation arrangement using a gear unit to decelerate the lid panel's downward motion hydraulically, allowing for a high-reliability, cost-effective solution that can be integrated with both foot-operated and electrically-operated containers, with a motorized unit generating a decelerating force smaller than the lid's gravitational force to control the closing motion, thus preventing noise and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foot-operated mechanism is used to lift the lid panel, then the lid can be opened without hands, but excessive force is required which may break the paddle and is difficult for children and elderly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary between the user and the lid mechanism. The sensor detects the user's approach and automatically triggers the motorized unit to open the lid, eliminating the need for direct mechanical interaction and excessive manual force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical foot-operated system with an electromechanical system. A motorized unit driven by an electric motor substitutes for the mechanical foot pedal, providing controlled, consistent force that is easier to regulate and less prone to breaking components.
2Device complexity
If the lid panel is allowed to close under gravity without control, then the closing action is simple, but excessive force causes noise and potential damage to the container body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sensor-based feedback system that detects when the lid is approaching the closed position and automatically activates the motorized unit to provide controlled deceleration. This feedback loop prevents uncontrolled impact while maintaining relatively simple overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive gravitational closing with an active electromechanical control system. The motorized unit provides controlled deceleration during lid closure, substituting uncontrolled gravitational force with regulated motor force to prevent noise and damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a damper mechanism is added to control lid panel motion, then noise and damage are reduced, but the inner container volume is reduced due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical damper mechanism with an electromechanical motorized unit. The motor provides controlled deceleration through rotational force transmitted via gears, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical dampers while achieving the same noise and damage reduction effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear mechanical damper approach to a rotational electromechanical approach. The motorized unit operates in a rotational dimension, converting electrical energy to mechanical rotation that then controls the lid's linear motion, thereby saving space within the container structure.
4Ease of operation
If an electrically-operated system with sensor is used to automatically open and close the lid, then hands-free operation is achieved, but the operation mechanism reduces the receiving cavity volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the motorized unit to the lateral side of the container, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than the vertical interior space. This dimensional relocation allows the automatic operation mechanism to function without encroaching on the receiving cavity volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operation mechanism into separate functional components: the sensor for detection, the control unit for processing, and the motorized unit for actuation. This segmentation allows for optimized spatial arrangement, placing components in locations that do not interfere with the receiving cavity.
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
This solution ensures a reliable, quiet, and efficient lid operation that maintains the container's volume, allows for a wider opening angle, and prolongs the lifespan of the lid mechanism, while being environmentally protected and easy to manufacture, without requiring complex structures.
Implementation Method 1
the gear transmission unit is actuated by a downward motion of the lid panel to activate the DC power generator, such that the DC power generator generates a decelerating force, which is smaller than a gravitational force of the lid panel, to decelerate the downward motion of the lid panel
Implementation Method 2
a gear transmission unit which is operatively linked between the DC power generator and the lid panel for pivotally moving the lid panel
Data Source
AI summary
A lid operation arrangement of a container includes an automatic operated unit for automatically operating a lid panel, a foot operated unit for manually operating the lid panel, and a motorized unit operatively linked with the automatic operated unit and the foot operated unit. When the motorized unit is activated by the automatic operated unit, the motorized unit is arranged for generating a torque enhancing force to move the lid panel from the opened position to the closed position and for generating a decelerating force to move the lid panel back to the closed position from the opened position in a hydraulic manner. After the lid panel is lifted up to the opened position by the foot operated unit, the motorized unit only generates the decelerating force to move the lid panel back to the closed position from the opened position in a hydraulic manner.