Packaging Container With Articulated Pressure Relief Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging containers for automotive parts, such as brake discs and brake drums, lack effective moisture and liquid sealing, allowing damage during transportation, and require excessive material for mechanical strength, with pressure relief mechanisms that are either single-use or prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A packaging container with a circular pressure relief valve made in a single piece through thermoplastic injection, featuring an articulated connecting base and closure lid with interference fit sealing, allowing repeated opening and closing without damage, and structural ribs for reduced material usage while maintaining mechanical strength, including compartments for storing small parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal is glued to the package cover to seal the air pressure relief opening, then the opening is protected from external agents, but the seal wears out after repeated removal and reattachment, losing its effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of opening/closing cycles
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the closure lid of the pressure relief valve articulated and movable, allowing it to be opened and closed repeatedly. The closure lid is connected to the connecting base through an articulated connection that enables rotational movement, transforming the static sealed state into a dynamic system that can transition between sealed and open states multiple times without degrading the sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief valve is segmented into distinct functional components: a connecting base that integrates with the package, a closure lid that can be opened and closed, and an articulated connection that joins them. This segmentation allows the closure lid to be independently operated while maintaining the integrity of the overall sealing system, enabling repeated use without wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a large amount of material is used to manufacture the package, then mechanical strength is sufficient to withstand transport and stacking, but material cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidamount of material
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The package structure is segmented by introducing structural ribs that divide the container walls into reinforced sections. These ribs create a framework that distributes mechanical loads throughout the package, allowing the use of less material overall while maintaining or enhancing strength. The ribs act as structural reinforcements that prevent buckling and deformation under transport conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package employs a composite structural approach by integrating structural ribs into the container walls, creating a hybrid structure that combines the base material with reinforcing elements. This composite design optimizes the material distribution, providing maximum strength where needed while reducing material usage in less critical areas, thereby lowering both weight and material cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the pressure relief valve is made with multiple separate parts, then assembly flexibility is improved, but the valve becomes susceptible to damages due to parts interaction and requires complex manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidvalve durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting base and closure lid of the pressure relief valve are merged into a single integrated component manufactured through thermoplastic injection molding. This unification eliminates the interfaces between separate parts that could lead to damage, wear, or assembly failures. The single-piece construction maintains manufacturing flexibility while significantly improving reliability by removing potential failure points associated with multiple parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the seal is taped to the top of the opening, then the opening is initially protected, but moisture and liquids can eventually penetrate during long-term transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external agentsVSAvoidtransportation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve with its articulated closure lid provides a dynamic sealing solution that maintains protection throughout long-term transportation. Unlike static adhesive seals that degrade over time, the articulated closure lid can be opened and closed while maintaining its sealing capability, ensuring continuous protection against moisture and liquids even during extended storage and transport periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves away from disposable adhesive seals that lose effectiveness over time to a durable, reusable pressure relief valve system. The valve is designed to maintain its sealing function throughout the entire transportation lifecycle, eliminating the need for replacement or reapplication and providing long-term protection against harmful external agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3075678B1Packaging container for automotive parts
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 JOFUND
  • EP3075678B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3075678B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3075678B1 patent drawingFigure 6~6A

AI summary

The present invention relates to a packaging container (E) comprising a base (2) closed by an overlapping cover (1) used for the storage of automotive parts, particularly, brake discs and/or brake drums, clutch discs, wheel hubs or any other parts with similar shapes for automotive vehicles, package (E) being provided with structural ribs (3) and at least one opening (4), which is sealed with a pressure relief valve (5), which is formed into a single piece and provided with a connecting base (50) and a closure lid (51) joined to one another in an articulated way. Said pressure relief valve (5) further comprises connecting and sealing means (5A) arranged between the connecting base (50) and the opening (4), and connecting and sealing means (5B) arranged between the closure lid (51) and the connecting base (50).