Resin Container Coupling With Rotational Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resin containers face issues with decoupling when force is applied in the up-down direction and deform during repeated coupling and separation operations, leading to poor repeatability.
Innovation Solution
The resin container design includes a recessed portion and a protruding portion that allow for a loosely fitted posture which shifts to a fitted posture through relative rotation, with a rotation suppressing mechanism to prevent unintended decoupling and ensure repeatable coupling and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a groove and projecting portion are formed to engage with each other, then the containers can resist separation when force is applied in a direction different from the up-down direction, but the coupling portion is unlikely to resist separation when force is applied in the up-down direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear engagement mechanism (groove and projecting portion along the up-down direction) to a rotational engagement mechanism. The coupling portion engages through relative rotation about an axis perpendicular to the up-down direction, adding a rotational dimension to the coupling action. This dimensional change allows the coupling to resist separation forces in the up-down direction while maintaining the ability to engage and disengage through rotation.
2Ease of operation
If a recessed portion and protruding portion are formed for fitting, then the resin containers can be coupled by fitting, but the resin containers may be deformed by the fitting during repeated coupling and separation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic rotational mechanism for coupling and separation. Instead of static linear fitting that requires forceful insertion and extraction along the up-down direction, the coupling portion engages through relative rotation about a horizontal axis. This dynamic rotational action reduces the impact forces and deformation risks associated with repeated linear fitting operations, while maintaining ease of coupling and separation.
3Ease of operation
If the protruding portion is fitted into the recessed portion with a gap in a loosely fitted posture, then the resin containers can be easily coupled, but the containers may unintendedly decouple without proper rotation suppression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a rotation suppressing mechanism that applies preliminary counter-action to prevent unintended rotation and decoupling. The rotation suppressing portion engages with the coupling portion to restrict rotational movement until a deliberate coupling or separation action is performed. This preliminary anti-action maintains the loosely fitted posture for easy handling while preventing accidental decoupling through unintended rotation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A resin container includes a neck portion forming an inlet-outlet portion for a liquid, a body portion connected to the neck portion, and a bottom portion connected to the body portion and configured to close an opening of the resin container. The body portion includes a facing surface that, in a case that the resin container is coupled to or separated from another resin container, faces the other resin container. The facing surface is provided with a coupling portion able to be coupled to or separated from the other resin container. The coupling portion includes a recessed portion recessed from the facing surface toward a center of the resin container, and a protruding portion protruding from the facing surface in a direction opposite to a direction in which the recessed portion is recessed. The resin containers are configured to, in a case that a plurality of the resin containers are coupled, take a loosely fitted posture in which the protruding portion of one of the resin containers is inserted into the recessed portion of another one of the resin containers in such a manner that the protruding portion is fitted into the recessed portion with a gap interposed between the protruding portion and the recessed portion, and a fitted posture in which the protruding portion is fitted into the recessed portion. The loosely fitted posture shifts to the fitted posture by the one of the resin containers being relatively rotated with respect to the other one of the resin containers about an axis in an insertion direction of the protruding portion into the recessed portion.