Adjustable Measuring Cup Piston Sleeve Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable measuring cups suffer from poor seals at the piston-sleeve interface, making them unsuitable for measuring liquids, and rely on ineffective mechanisms to maintain the piston at a desired height for accurate volume measurement.
Innovation Solution
The adjustable measuring cup features a piston with engagement and disengagement surfaces and a rotatable sleeve with bumpers, allowing for precise control of the interior volume through rotational positioning of the sleeve, which enhances the seal and maintains the piston at a desired height effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If friction between the piston and sleeve is used to maintain piston position, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to maintain desired position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic engagement mechanism where the sleeve can rotate between engagement and disengagement positions. In the engagement position, the bumper contacts the engagement surface to maintain piston position; in the disengagement position, the bumper moves to contact the disengagement surface, allowing easy movement. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by providing both stable positioning and ease of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston surface is segmented into distinct engagement surfaces and disengagement surfaces. The engagement surfaces are positioned to contact the bumper for stable positioning, while disengagement surfaces provide contact points when the sleeve is in the disengagement position. This segmentation allows the system to switch between different functional states, resolving the contradiction between position stability and ease of movement.
2Ease of operation
If the sleeve is easily movable from one position to another, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maintain desired position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable sleeve design allows the user to easily move between engagement and disengagement positions by simple rotation. When in the disengagement position, the bumper contacts disengagement surfaces that allow free movement. When positioning is needed, rotation to the engagement position activates the positioning mechanism. This dynamic design provides both ease of operation and position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the sleeve is rotated to the engagement position, without requiring additional user action. The bumper naturally contacts the engagement surfaces due to the rotational movement, and the frictional engagement self-maintains the piston position. This self-service characteristic improves ease of operation while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed piston with movable sleeve design is used, then the adjustable measuring cup can measure multiple volumes, but the seal at the piston-sleeve interface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions of the piston. The engagement surfaces have increased friction characteristics (through texture, material selection, or geometric features) to provide both sealing and positioning functions. The disengagement surfaces have different properties to allow easy movement. This local differentiation of surface qualities resolves the contradiction between maintaining versatility and ensuring reliable sealing.
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 design provides a reliable seal for measuring liquids and ensures accurate volume measurements by maintaining the piston at a precise height, addressing the limitations of existing adjustable measuring cups.
Implementation Method 1
the interior surface of the bumper is frictionally engaged with the engagement surface
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable measuring cup includes a piston having an upper end terminating in a platform and is surrounded by a sleeve for movement of the piston with respect to the sleeve along a central axis to create a plurality of selectable interior volumes. The piston has an engagement surface and a disengagement surface, the engagement surface extending radially outwardly from the piston relatively farther than the disengagement surface. A bumper is mounted on the sleeve. The sleeve is rotatable with respect to the piston between an engagement position in which the bumper is frictionally engaged with the engagement surface, and a disengagement position in which the bumper is positioned over the disengagement surface.