Push-Button Sealed Storage Box with Spring-Loaded Cog-Wheel Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealed storage boxes lack efficient sealing mechanisms, which can lead to food spoilage and contamination, and do not offer user-friendly operation for opening and closing.
Innovation Solution
A sealed storage box design featuring a lid with a circular seal, snap parts, springs, cog-wheels, and lever bodies that utilize a retractable mechanism similar to a ballpoint pen mechanism for easy opening and closing, ensuring a secure seal when closed and easy access when open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple lid closure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sealing reliability deteriorates leading to food spoilage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism uses a dynamic spring-loaded push button system that automatically adjusts sealing pressure. The spring (34) maintains constant force on the seal (40) through the lever bodies (36), ensuring reliable sealing without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is self-regulating through the spring mechanism that automatically maintains optimal sealing pressure. When the lid is closed, the spring compresses and exerts force through the lever bodies to press the seal against the container rim, creating a self-adjusting sealing system that compensates for variations in lid positioning.
2Reliability
If a secure sealing mechanism is implemented, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates requiring complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the lid structure itself and implemented through a separate circular seal (40) that interfaces with the container rim. This allows the seal to be independently optimized for sealing performance while the lid structure remains simple and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever bodies (36) act as intermediary elements that translate the simple downward motion of the push button into the rotational motion needed to engage the seal. This mechanical advantage system allows users to easily close the lid while ensuring secure sealing through the amplified force applied to the seal.
3Ease of operation
If a push button mechanism is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the push button assembly: the button itself acts as a actuator, the spring provides both sealing force and return motion, and the lever bodies serve as both mechanical linkages and sealing surface carriers. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever bodies (36) perform multiple functions simultaneously: they transmit force from the push button, provide a mounting surface for the seal, create the sealing interface with the container rim, and guide the closing motion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
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 provides a secure and efficient sealing mechanism that prevents contamination and spoilage while allowing for easy operation, ensuring the box remains sealed when closed and can be easily opened with a simple push-button mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom part (31) includes an indentation at the base (311) that is adapted to contain the spring (34)
Implementation Method 2
a bottom cog-wheel (35), two lever bodies (36), a top cog-wheel (37) and a push button (38)
Data Source
AI summary
A storage box that includes a container, a lid and a circular seal. The lid includes a bottom part, a top part, a bottom cog-wheel part with sloping teeth, a spring, a snap part with stopping members, two lever bodies, a top cog-wheel with sloping pushing teeth, and a push button handle. The bottom part includes an indent for containing the spring and oriented holes for the snap part snaps. The top part includes the top button handle, the top cog-wheel part, the two lever bodies, and the bottom cog-wheel. The spring is positioned inside the indentation, the top part is assembled on the bottom part, the bottom cog-wheel is connected to the top cog-wheel in a way that enables a rotational movement between them and disables a relative vertical movement. The lid is in a retracted close position or in an extended open position.