Container Lid Spring Damper Mechanism for Impact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy lids on containers pose difficulties during opening and closing due to their weight, leading to high-speed impacts that can cause injuries and gasket deformation, resulting in potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
A device with elastic means, such as a spring, is used to compensate for the lid's weight, kinematically and dynamically controlling its movement by varying force according to position, reducing the impact force upon closure and assisting in opening with less user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the lid is made heavy to ensure structural integrity and sealing, then the container can withstand higher pressures and maintain better seals, but the lid becomes difficult to open and close, causing high-speed impacts and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring mechanism that acts as a counterweight to the lid's weight. The spring is pre-loaded to provide an upward force that counteracts the gravitational force on the heavy lid, making it easier to lift and open. When closing, the spring controls the descent speed, preventing dangerous impacts while maintaining the lid's structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements including a spring that can compress and extend, and a damper that adjusts damping force based on motion conditions. These dynamic components allow the lid system to adapt its mechanical properties during operation - providing support when opening and controlled resistance when closing, rather than being a static heavy structure throughout.
2Productivity
If the lid is allowed to close at high speed for quick operation, then productivity increases, but the impact force deforms the gasket and causes leakage, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a damper mechanism that is pre-configured to provide cushioning force before the lid completes its closing motion. As the lid approaches the closed position, the damper progressively increases its damping force to reduce the closing speed and absorb impact energy, ensuring the gasket is not damaged while maintaining quick overall operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring and damper system works together to apply preliminary anti-action forces during the closing process. The spring provides upward force to counteract gravity early in the motion, while the damper progressively applies opposing force as the lid approaches closure, preventing the high-speed impact that would damage the gasket before sealing is achieved.
3Device complexity
If a simple hinge mechanism is used to reduce device complexity, then the structure becomes simpler and easier to manufacture, but it cannot control the lid's movement speed or impact force during closure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring and damper as intermediary elements between the lid and the container body. These intermediaries absorb and control the energy during lid movement, particularly during closure. The spring stores and releases energy smoothly, while the damper dissipates excess energy, preventing direct high-impact contact between the lid and container that would occur with a simple hinge alone.
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 device effectively reduces the force required to open the lid and controls the impact force upon closure, preventing injuries and minimizing gasket deformation, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a elastic means which generates a force on the lid, the magnitude of which varies according to the relative position of the lid
Implementation Method 2
it comprises: a fixed structure which is connected to the container; a elastic means which generates a force on the lid, the magnitude of which varies according to the relative position of the lid
Implementation Method 3
a common rotary shaft that hinges the lid to the fixed structure
Implementation Method 4
allowing rotation of the lid about the common shaft in order to change the position of the lid
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for opening and closing container lids for controlling the movement of a lid during the opening and closing thereof, characterised in that said device comprises: a) a fixed structure which is connected to the container; b) a resilient means which generates a force on the lid, the magnitude of which varies according to the relative position of the lid; and c) a common rotary shaft that hinges the lid to the fixed structure; the lid receiving the force of the resilient means at a point that is remote from the common rotary shaft, which is arranged such that the force exerted by the resilient means compensates for the weight of the lid.