Refillable Container Soft Plastic Support Member Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refillable container design requires a strong force to remove the support member from the cover due to high frictional forces, making it difficult to replace the inner container and prone to damage from shocks during handling.
Innovation Solution
The support member is made of soft plastic with a tubular leg portion and a raised bottom, allowing it to deform easily and reduce frictional forces, while the cover is made of hard plastic with cutout portions to facilitate secure gripping and deformation of the support base portion, enabling easy removal and shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the support member and cover are made of hard plastic with small elastic modulus, then the structural strength is improved, but the support member cannot be easily removed from the cover due to high frictional force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter (elastic modulus) of the support member from hard plastic to soft plastic with large elastic modulus, enabling it to deform under pressing force and reduce frictional contact area with the cover, thus facilitating easy removal while maintaining structural strength through the hard plastic cover
Solution Approach 2:
The support member transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can deform during removal operation, changing its contact state with the cover from fixed press contact to variable contact with reduced friction area
2Ease of operation
If the support member is made of soft plastic with large elastic modulus, then the ease of removal is improved, but the shock resistance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where the soft plastic support member and hard plastic cover work together - the soft support member provides easy removal through deformation, while the hard cover provides shock resistance, combining the advantages of both material types
Solution Approach 2:
The hard plastic cover serves as a protective cushioning layer that absorbs and dissipates shock energy before it reaches the soft plastic support member, preventing damage to the support member during handling
3Reliability
If the fitting portions are in press contact to prevent slipping, then the reliability is improved, but the pulling force required for removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the friction characteristic parameter by using soft plastic material that can deform to reduce contact area, transforming the high-friction press contact into a lower-friction contact state during removal while maintaining reliability during usage
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 allows for effortless removal of the support member from the cover and reduces the risk of damage during handling by minimizing frictional forces and absorbing shocks, making the refillable container easier to use and more durable.
Implementation Method 1
the support base portion is pressed and deformed when the support member is removed from the cover
Implementation Method 2
the support member is made of soft plastic
Implementation Method 3
when the refillable container is dropped at the time of, for example, replacement of the inner container, the refillable container can be damaged by a shock in some cases
Data Source
AI summary
A refillable container that includes: an inner container; a support member configured to support the inner container; and a cover having a tubular shape, which is fitted, from above the inner container, to an outer periphery of the inner container supported on the support member so as to accommodate the inner container therein, and is fitted to the support member. The support member includes: a support base portion including a tubular leg portion and having a raised bottom; and a support frame portion, which is provided on an upper surface of a bottom plate of the support base portion, and is configured to support the bottom of the inner container. The support base portion includes a seat step portion on which an opening end of the cover fitted to the support member is seated. The cover is made of hard plastic, and the support member is made of soft plastic.