Sealing Cap Symmetric Force Distribution for Balanced Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sealing caps experience unbalanced forces during operation, leading to the inner cap becoming oblique relative to the outer cap due to centrally connected operator units and resilient members, which compromises the sealing effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The sealing cap design features two spaced-apart resilient members and connectors that distribute forces symmetrically, allowing the inner cap to move uniformly between pressurizing and unpressurizing positions, preventing tilting and ensuring balanced operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the operator unit and resilient member are centrally connected to the outer and inner caps, then the structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the forces become localized at the center causing the inner cap to become oblique relative to the outer cap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidalignment between inner cap and outer cap
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The single central resilient member is segmented into two separate resilient members positioned at different locations between the outer cap and inner cap. This segmentation distributes the urging forces across multiple points rather than concentrating them at a single center point, preventing the inner cap from becoming oblique while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operator unit is designed with an asymmetric configuration where the operator pivots about a point that is offset from the centerline of the inner cap. This asymmetric arrangement creates a moment that counteracts the tendency of the inner cap to become oblique under applied forces, ensuring the inner cap remains aligned with the outer cap during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If the operator unit is centrally positioned, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force distribution becomes unbalanced causing oblique positioning of the inner cap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidbalanced operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member is divided into two separate resilient members positioned at different locations between the outer cap and inner cap. This segmentation distributes the urging forces across multiple points, creating balanced force distribution that enables smooth, oblique-free operation while maintaining a simple overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector serves as an intermediary element that transmits forces from the operator unit to the inner cap through the resilient members. This intermediary mechanism ensures that forces are distributed evenly and the inner cap moves smoothly without becoming oblique during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design ensures the inner cap remains balanced and uniformly pressurizes the air-tight gasket, effectively sealing the container by distributing forces symmetrically and maintaining alignment between the outer and inner caps.

Implementation Method 1

The resilient member 13 is abuttingly disposed between the outer and inner caps 11, 121

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3190060B1Sealing cap
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 FREE FREE INDAL CORP
  • EP3190060B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3190060B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3190060B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sealing cap includes an outer cap (3), an inner cap (41) and an air-tight gasket (42). The outer cap (3) is to be disposed on a container (2). The inner cap (41) is movably connected beneath the outer cap (3). The air-tight gasket (42) is sleeved around the inner and outer caps (3, 41). Two connectors (62) extend through the outer cap (3) and are connected to the inner cap (41). An operator (61) is disposed above the outer cap (3) and is pivotally connected to the connectors (62). The operator is operable to move the inner cap (41) relative to the outer cap (3) between a pressurizing position, where the inner cap (41) pressurizes the air-tight gasket (42) against the container (2), and an unpressurizing position, where the inner cap (41) unpressurizes the air-tight gasket (42) against the container (2).