Swing Member Roller Container Holder Reducing Insertion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container holders with rollers face resistance issues when pushing containers into the recess due to the orientation of the container's bottom or side parts contacting the roller, making it difficult to insert the container effortlessly.

Innovation Solution

A container holder design featuring a swing member with an inclined surface that guides the container into the recess, reducing resistance by ensuring the container contacts the roller at a position that induces rotation, and a roller with a high-friction surface layer for secure holding, along with a torsion coil spring for biasing the swing member into the recess.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a roller is rotatably supported by a moveable member in a container holder, then the container can be held stably, but significant resistance occurs during insertion when the container contacts the roller from a downward and perpendicular direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer holding stabilityVSAvoidcontainer insertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inclined surface as an intermediary element between the container and the roller. This inclined surface guides the container at an appropriate angle during insertion, preventing direct perpendicular contact with the roller. The intermediary inclined surface transforms the insertion force into a direction that effectively rotates the roller, thereby reducing insertion resistance while maintaining stable container holding through the roller mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the roller is positioned to engage the container bottom or side part, then the container can be held securely, but the roller may not rotate when force is applied in a downward and perpendicular direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer holding reliabilityVSAvoidinsertion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the angular parameter of force application by introducing the inclined surface. Instead of vertical or perpendicular force application that fails to rotate the roller, the inclined surface redirects the force at an optimal angle that effectively rotates the roller. This parameter change (from perpendicular to angled contact) ensures both reliable container holding through roller engagement and efficient insertion through effective roller rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates effortless insertion and secure holding of containers, reducing resistance during both insertion and removal, and allows for easy opening and closing of screw caps with a single hand.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member (60) urging the swing member into projecting into the recess

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a torsion coil spring for biasing the swing member into the recess

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 3

a roller (50) supported by the swing member so as to be rotated around a prescribed rotational center line (B) by a container engaging the roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

the swing member is provided with an inclined surface (47) extending from a part thereof located outward of an outer periphery (53) of the roller, above the roller and outward of the recess to a part thereof located directly above or inward of the rotational center line of the roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentUS10293732B2Container holder including a swing member rotatably supporting a roller to hold a container received therein

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A container holder (10, 90) includes a main body (20) formed with a recess (21) having an open top defined therein for receiving a container, a swing member (40) rotatably supported by the main body so as to be swung into and out of the recess, a roller (50) supported by the swing member so as to be rotated around a prescribed rotational center line (B) by a container engaging the roller as the container is pushed into and pulled out of the recess, and a biasing member (60) urging the swing member into projecting into the recess, wherein the swing member is provided with an inclined surface (47) extending from a part thereof located outward of an outer periphery (53) of the roller, above the roller and outward of the recess to a part thereof located directly above or inward of the rotational center line of the roller.