Tapered Surface Hermetic Seal for Vacuum Pressure Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hermetically sealed containers, such as vacuum containers, face issues where the sealing O-ring is subjected to excessive pressure due to changes in container pressure, leading to inadequate sealing and potential loss of vacuum when the pressure is reduced.

Innovation Solution

A hermetically sealed container design featuring a tapered contact surface on the container body and a cylindrical lid with a groove, allowing the sealing member to adjust pressure based on container pressure changes by moving vertically along the tapered surface, eliminating the need for a thread structure and reducing the container's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lid is screwed down completely to apply pressure to the O-ring for sealing, then the seal is formed, but the O-ring is subjected to excessive pressure when container pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidpressure on O-ring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the static screwed lid structure with a dynamic plunger structure that can move vertically. The plunger is connected to the lid and can adjust its position to maintain appropriate pressure on the sealing member while allowing the lid to open and close. This dynamic adjustment prevents excessive pressure accumulation when container pressure changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the thread structure from the container body and lid, extracting the complex mechanical engagement system. Instead, it uses a simpler plunger mechanism that moves within the container body to apply pressure to the sealing member, eliminating the need for threading and reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the lid is screwed down to apply necessary pressure to the O-ring, then sealing is achieved, but the container size increases due to thread structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidcontainer size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the thread structure from both the container body and lid, extracting the complex mechanical engagement system. Instead, it uses a simpler plunger mechanism that moves within the container body to apply pressure to the sealing member, eliminating the need for threading and reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical thread engagement system with a different mechanical approach: a plunger that moves vertically within the container body. This substitution eliminates the need for threaded structures and reduces the overall container size while maintaining sealing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If a thread structure is used to screw the lid to the container body, then the lid can be fixed securely, but the container becomes more complex and larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid attachment strengthVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the thread structure from both the container body and lid, extracting the complex mechanical engagement system. Instead, it uses a simpler plunger mechanism that moves within the container body to apply pressure to the sealing member, eliminating the need for threading and reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical thread engagement system with a different mechanical approach: a plunger that moves vertically within the container body. This substitution eliminates the need for threaded structures and reduces the overall container size while maintaining sealing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 optimal pressure application to the sealing member, maintaining a hermetic seal even with pressure changes, reducing the risk of O-ring deformation and allowing for efficient depressurization without twisting, and enabling a more compact container size.

Implementation Method 1

the O-ring is elastically deformed so as to be compressed, thereby sealing the gap between the container and the lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12043458B2Hermetically sealed container

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A hermetically sealed container includes a container body having a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens upward, a lid having a cylindrical portion that is fitted into an end portion on an upper opening side of the container body, the lid openably closing an upper opening of the container body, and a sealing member having an annular shape, the sealing member being provided on the cylindrical portion and hermetically sealing a gap between the cylindrical portion and the container body. The container body having a contact surface that the sealing member contacts, the contact surface being a tapered surface.