Snap-Engagement Coupling for Lipstick Container Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thrust-out type containers for rod-like articles require significant time for assembling due to the use of welding or adhesive techniques to fix the intermediate cylinder, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The container design incorporates a snap-engagement mechanism using a coupling member with hooks or elastic arms to securely attach the intermediate cylinder to the inner cylinder, allowing for rapid assembly without the need for welding or adhesives, with the lower portion of the intermediate cylinder's peripheral wall featuring through-holes or notches for snap-engagement and the coupling member's arms being elastically deformable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding or adhesive techniques are used to fix the intermediate cylinder to the control cylinder, then the structural integrity is improved, but the assembly time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal joining methods (welding) and chemical joining methods (adhesive) with a mechanical snap-engagement system. The coupling member features hooks that engage with protrusions on the intermediate cylinder, creating a secure mechanical connection that eliminates the need for time-consuming welding or adhesive application while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member is divided into distinct functional segments: hooks for engagement, elastic arms for providing snapping force, and positioning features for alignment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling rapid assembly while ensuring reliable connection between the intermediate cylinder and control cylinder.
2Productivity
If a snap-engagement mechanism is used to reduce assembly time, then the assembly speed is improved, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arms are designed with curved configurations that allow them to flex and store mechanical energy. When the coupling member is inserted, the elastic arms deform and then snap back to their original shape, creating a strong engagement force that securely locks the intermediate cylinder to the control cylinder, thereby maintaining structural integrity while enabling rapid assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the elastic arms are optimized to provide appropriate flexibility and snapping force. By carefully selecting materials with specific elastic moduli and designing arms with appropriate dimensions, the system achieves a balance between ease of engagement (for fast assembly) and connection strength (for structural integrity).
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 significantly reduces the assembly time required for the thrust-out type container, enabling efficient and quick assembly while maintaining structural integrity, and does not increase the container's outer dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling member's arms being elastically deformable
Data Source
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AI summary
A thrust-out type container (2) for a rod-like article (1) such as a lipstick comprises, in the order from the outside to the inside as viewed in a diametric direction of the container, an outer cylinder (6), an inner cylinder (25) and a carrier (36). The carrier serves to support the rod-like article attached thereto. A control cylinder (7) integrated with the inner cylinder lies outside the outer cylinder. An intermediate cylinder (8) is interposed between the outer cylinder and the control cylinder. The intermediate cylinder comprises an upper portion extending upward beyond an upper end of the control cylinder and a lower portion extending into the control cylinder. A coupling member (41) serving to couple the inner cylinder and the intermediate cylinder to each other is snap-engaged with the lower portion of the intermediate cylinder.