Undulating Laminar Spring Structure for Precise Container Valve Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spring devices for valve units in containers suffer from complexity, unreliable operation, inadequate elastic biasing force, and inability to ensure precise opening and closing due to non-linear motion and multiple components.

Innovation Solution

A spring device with an elastic element having an undulating shape and a single laminar component, featuring a linear motion along a central axis, composed of rings connected by curved connectors, providing a greater elastic biasing force and precise operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If multiple zig-zag elastic elements are used in the spring device, then the elastic biasing force can be increased, but the device complexity and structural instability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelastic biasing forceVSAvoidspring device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single elastic element is divided into multiple undulating sections or lobes along its length, each contributing to the elastic biasing force. This segmentation allows the force to be increased through the geometry of a single component rather than multiple separate elements, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining force output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element transitions from a simple linear spring to a three-dimensional undulating structure with multiple lobes extending radially. This dimensional change allows the spring to generate greater elastic force through its complex geometry while maintaining a compact form factor and stable central positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Force

If zig-zag shaped elastic elements are used, then the elastic biasing force is increased, but the motion linearity and valve closure precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelastic biasing forceVSAvoidvalve closure precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The undulating elastic element features asymmetric lobe configurations that are strategically positioned to counterbalance each other. This asymmetric design allows the individual lobes to generate nonlinear forces that collectively produce a linear net force on the valve, improving closure precision while maintaining high elastic biasing force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using traditional zig-zag shapes that create lateral deviations, the invention inverts the approach by using smooth undulating lobes that radiate outward from a central axis. This inverted geometry ensures that the elastic force is directed primarily along the axial direction, maintaining motion linearity and valve closure precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If a single laminar elastic element with undulating shape is used, then the motion linearity and valve operation precision are improved, but the elastic biasing force decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation precisionVSAvoidelastic biasing force

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element is designed with three-dimensional undulating lobes that extend radially outward from the central axis. This dimensional transformation allows the spring to generate greater elastic force through its volumetric geometry while maintaining a linear compression path along the central axis, thus improving both force output and motion linearity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The undulating elastic element incorporates curved lobe configurations that follow smooth arcs rather than sharp zig-zag angles. These curved geometries distribute stress more evenly and generate more efficient elastic recovery forces, increasing the overall biasing force while maintaining smooth linear motion during valve operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Ensures precise and reliable opening and closing of beverage passages with enhanced elastic force, preventing undesired spills and maintaining symmetry during compression and release.

Implementation Method 1

a spring device (10) for a valve unit (11) for a container, characterized in that it comprises an elastic element (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4499564B1Spring device for a valve unit for a container

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 COVI EMANUELA

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AI summary

Spring device (10) for a valve unit (11) for a container, comprising an elastic element (12) provided with a first terminal part (17) which in use can be associated with, or defines, a mobile head (13) configured to cooperate with the valve unit (11) and a second terminal part (18) which in use can be associated with a support element (14) provided in said valve unit (11).