Valve Door Force Directing Member for Seal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cap-less retractable writing instruments, such as those used for markers, face challenges in maintaining a seal for larger writing tips, leading to premature drying due to inadequate sealing of the seal cover, which causes ink evaporation and leakage.

Innovation Solution

A valve door design with a force directing member, such as a pair of ribs or a block, is integrated into the lid to distribute the force from the actuating mechanism across a portion of the lid surface, ensuring a positive seal and reducing lid deflection, thereby maintaining a tight seal and preventing ink evaporation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal cover is used to close the end opening of the seal cylinder, then the writing tip is protected from drying out, but the seal cover does not adequately seal large diameter openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal effectivenessVSAvoidopening diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into multiple functional zones: a central force directing member (rib or block) that concentrates sealing force, and peripheral areas that provide structural support. This segmentation allows the lid to effectively seal large diameter openings by directing force precisely where needed at the valve seal ring interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The force directing member creates a localized high-force region at the valve seal ring contact point, while the rest of the lid surface has reduced force distribution. This local quality enhancement ensures adequate sealing pressure at the critical sealing interface even for large diameter openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If the connecting means applies force directly to the lid surface, then the lid can be biased to a closed position, but lid deflection occurs which compromises the seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiasing forceVSAvoidlid deflection

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The force directing member acts as an intermediary between the connecting means and the lid surface. It receives the biasing force from the connecting means and redistributes it through the valve seal ring, preventing direct force application to the lid surface that would cause deflection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The direct mechanical force transmission path is replaced with a force distribution system through the force directing member and valve seal ring. This substitutes the simple connecting means-lid surface contact with a more complex but effective force distribution mechanism that maintains seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lid is made larger to accommodate larger writing tips, then the writing instrument can serve more purposes, but the seal cover cannot adequately seal the larger diameter openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewriting tip size rangeVSAvoidseal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The force directing member design provides universal applicability across different writing tip sizes. The same basic structure with the force directing member and valve seal ring can effectively seal both small and large diameter openings, making the lid design adaptable to various writing instrument types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8226312B2Valve door having a force directing component and retractable instruments comprising same

Publication Date: 2012.07.24 SANFORD LP

AI summary

A valve door for a seal cylinder comprises a lid having first and second surfaces and a connecting means connecting the lid with an actuating mechanism, the connecting means distributes forces from the actuating mechanism across a portion of the first lid surface in order to bias the lid to a closed position. A force directing member is attached to the first lid surface, the force directing member being adapted to distribute force from the connecting means over a portion of the lid surface, thereby maintaining a positive seal and reducing lid deflection.