Steam Appliance Tank Lid With Friction Locking Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam appliances with remote liquid reservoirs face issues of liquid overflow and splashing during handling and movement due to the lack of effective closure mechanisms, leading to inconvenience and potential malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A fluid reservoir design with a peripheral rib and groove system, combined with guide means and locking elements, ensures the lid remains securely closed, preventing liquid overflow and splashing by maintaining the cover in the closed position through friction and structural features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reservoir is made removable to facilitate filling, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of liquid overflow and splashing increases during handling and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide means and locking elements are pre-configured on the reservoir and base to automatically engage when the reservoir is placed on the base, ensuring the cover remains secured during handling and movement without requiring additional user actions
2Ease of operation
If the cover is made pivotally movable to allow filling, then ease of operation is improved, but the tightness and reliability of the closure zone deteriorates, allowing liquid projections during use
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are pre-positioned to automatically engage with the guide means when the cover is in the closed position, ensuring the closure zone remains tight and reliable during use without requiring additional user actions to secure the cover
Solution Approach 2:
The guide means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cover and the base, physically blocking the cover from opening and maintaining the tightness of the closure zone while allowing the cover to be pivotally movable for filling
3Device complexity
If no blocking element is added to maintain closed position, then device complexity is reduced, but liquid splashes and overflows occur during handling and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is segmented into separate functional elements: the guide means for maintaining closed position, the locking elements for securing, and the peripheral rib with groove for structural support, allowing each element to perform its specific function with simple geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking function is localized to specific areas where the guide means and locking elements are positioned, providing targeted prevention of liquid splashes and overflows only where needed during handling and movement
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 solution effectively limits liquid splashes and overflows during handling and movement, ensuring the reservoir remains sealed and functional, enhancing user convenience and device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the guide means is formed to cooperate by friction with a side wall of the peripheral rib in order to maintain the cover in the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fluid tank (3) intended to be detachably mounted on a base (1) for a steam producing appliance, said tank (3) comprising an opening (4) for filling the tank (3) with a fluid and a lid mounted on said opening (4) so as to pivot between a closed position, where the opening (4) is obstructed, and an open position allowing the tank (3) to be filled, characterised in that it further comprises a peripheral rib (9) projecting towards the outside of the tank (3) and formed over the entire periphery of the opening (4), and a groove (12) formed by a recess between the peripheral rib (9) and an outer wall of the tank (3), and in that the lid comprises an inner wall, in which a peripheral groove (10) is formed that is intended to rest on the peripheral rib (9) at the opening (4) when the lid is in the closed position, the lid further comprising at least one guide means projecting relative to the inner wall of the lid, the guide means being at least partially arranged along the peripheral groove so as to come against the peripheral rib (9) in the closed position.