Beverage Container Plug Cover Release for Stable Valve Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage container plugs experience unstable interlocking forces, leading to involuntary disassembly and fluid leakage, and require troublesome adjustments for disassembly, with elastic members causing issues in proper cover removal.
Innovation Solution
A plug design with a valve structure featuring a control lever that pushes downward to open and close the valve, a protrusion section to disengage the elastic section, and a shoulder member to prevent erroneous disengagement, allowing easy cover removal and stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sliding lever control mechanism is used to open and close the valve, then the valve operation is simplified, but the plug may be involuntarily disassembled when toppled or during manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is divided into two independent systems: a first engagement portion between the plug main body and container, and a second engagement portion between the cover and plug main body. This segmentation allows the valve control operations to be isolated from the assembly disengagement, preventing involuntary disassembly while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic section acts as an intermediary element that provides a dedicated disengagement path. When the plug is toppled, the elastic section deforms to absorb the impact force, preventing it from transmitting to the engagement portions and causing disassembly. This mediator protects the structural integrity during accidental movements.
2Device complexity
If a single engagement portion is used between the plug and cover, then the structure is simplified, but the interlocking force becomes unstable and the cover may be involuntarily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is segmented into two distinct engagement portions: the first engagement portion securing the plug main body to the container, and the second engagement portion securing the cover to the plug main body. This dual-engagement segmentation provides stable interlocking forces for each component while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If elastic members are used to provide engagement force, then the cover can be easily removed, but troublesome adjustments are required during disassembly and the elastic section may prevent proper cover removal
Solution Approach 1:
The disengagement function is extracted from the elastic section and assigned to the protrusion section. When disassembly is needed, the protrusion section is pushed to actively disengage the second engagement portion, removing the cover. This extraction simplifies the disassembly procedure by providing a clear, intentional disengagement action rather than requiring troublesome adjustments of the elastic member.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the elastic section's restoring force to automatically engage and requiring manual manipulation to disengage, the design inverts the logic: the protrusion section actively pushes the elastic section to disengage when needed. This inversion provides intuitive control where pushing the protrusion section in one direction engages the cover, while pushing it further disengages the cover.
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 design enables easy disassembly with minimal force, prevents accidental disassembly, and improves safety by avoiding contact with the protrusion section, while maintaining the plug's functionality and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic section provided on an upper portion of the plug main body; a second engagement portion provided on one of the elastic section, of the plug main body and the cover; a second engageable portion that is provided on the other of the elastic section of the plug main body and the cover and is engageable with the second engagement portion
Implementation Method 2
a protrusion section that is provided on the control lever, and is capable of abutting against and moving the elastic section in a disengagement direction when pushing the control lever downward
Implementation Method 3
a valve body biased in a direction allowing the inlet of the fluid passage to be closed
Implementation Method 4
a valve body biased in a direction allowing the inlet of the fluid passage to be closed
Data Source
AI summary
A plug includes: a fluid passage in a main body; a valve body biased to close an inlet of the fluid passage; a cover disposed on an upper end of the main body and closing an upper opening section thereof; and a control lever of the cover that can be pushed downward to open and close the valve body. An engagement claw section is formed on an elastic section of the main body. Provided on the cover is a transverse-plate upper surface for engaging the engagement claw section. A protrusion section of the control lever abuts against and shifts the elastic section in a disengagement direction when pushing the control lever downward. The protrusion section can thus disengage the engagement claw section from the transverse-plate upper surface. The control lever biased upward by the valve body allows the cover to be easily and lightly disassembled from the main body.