Pivotable Foldable Dome Cover for Frictionless Container Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dome covers and sealing mechanisms for containers lack a design that integrates both pivotable and hinged functionality, leading to inefficient space usage during opening and closing, and do not provide a frictionless closure to protect the seal material.

Innovation Solution

A dome lid mechanism that is both pivotable and foldable, featuring a pivotable dome lid upper part that can be rotated and displaced horizontally, with a seal arranged on its underside, and an adjustable pivot joint using an angular contact ball bearing for secure closure, allowing for seal adjustment and frictionless operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the dome lid is designed to be pivotable only, then space usage during opening is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace usage during openingVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The dome lid is designed with dual functionality: it can pivot horizontally to save space during opening/closing operations, and it can also be folded vertically to provide unhindered access to the underside for maintenance work. This dynamic multi-position design allows the same mechanism to serve both spatial efficiency and maintenance accessibility requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the seal is pressed against the container opening during closure, then sealing reliability is improved, but friction and wear on the seal increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidfriction and wear on seal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing mechanism uses pneumatic pressure to inflate the seal, changing its physical state from a relaxed condition to an expanded, pressurized condition. This allows the seal to achieve reliable sealing through controlled pressure application rather than continuous mechanical friction, reducing wear while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the pivot joint is fixed, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability for seal adjustment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidseal adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot joint is designed as an adjustable mechanism rather than a fixed connection. This allows the pivot point position to be modified to compensate for seal wear and maintain optimal sealing pressure throughout the seal's service life, while still being manufacturable as a standard adjustable component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables quick, safe, and reliable closure and sealing of container openings, with reduced wear on the seal and improved maintenance accessibility, while optimizing space usage and ensuring secure closure.

Implementation Method 1

an angular contact ball bearing, in particular a double-row one, is formed in the pivot joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

The seals found in the prior art are not designed to enable the most frictionless closure of the lid possible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

Air can be filled and released into the seal by a control system to optimally seal the tank when closed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas inflation: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP3738904B1Container with a dome cover for closing an opening of the container, and vehicle therewith
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 FELDBINDER SPEZIALFAHRZEUGWERKE
  • EP3738904B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3738904B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3738904B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

To improve the closing and sealing mechanism of a dome cover (100) for closing an opening (20) of a container (200), particularly on a vehicle, such that the container can be closed and sealed more quickly, securely, and reliably, and in order to provide a mechanism for the dome cover for closing an opening of a container by which the upper part of the dome cover is pivotably and/or hingedly attached to the opening of the container, it is proposed that the dome cover (100) include an upper part (10) which is pivotably and/or hingedly attached in the area of ​​the opening (20).