Vanity Case Lid Release via Wall Deformation and Sliding Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vanity cases face issues with easy lid release mechanisms that are prone to material weakness, operational complexity, and cosmetic material contamination, leading to design limitations and cleanliness challenges.
Innovation Solution
A vanity case design featuring a slide piece that slides within the case body, allowing the lid to be easily opened by pushing the case body, with a slit in the peripheral wall that deforms to facilitate lid release and a biasing member for smooth operation, while a canopy covers the slit to prevent contamination and improve aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the second engaging protrusion is formed on the elastic portion of the case body, then the engagement mechanism can be simplified, but the protrusion becomes easy to break if the case body material is rigid, or the engagement becomes easy to release if the material is soft
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging protrusion is separated from the case body and integrated into the slide piece instead. This segmentation allows the protrusion to be part of a movable component that can reliably engage and disengage from the lid without being constrained by the case body material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide piece acts as an intermediary component between the case body and the lid. It mediates the engagement and disengagement process by moving horizontally to connect or disconnect the lid from the case body, providing reliable engagement without direct connection between case body and lid.
2Ease of operation
If a slit is formed through the bottom of the case body for elastic deformation, then the push operation can be enabled, but cosmetic material pieces can stick to the inside of the slit making it dirty and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful open slit is replaced by a covered channel structure. The channel extends from the bottom wall toward the interior but is covered by the canopy, extracting the contamination problem while preserving the elastic deformation function for push operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy acts as a protective cover that can be easily cleaned or replaced. It prevents cosmetic material from directly contacting and sticking to the channel interior, making maintenance simple and effective.
3Ease of operation
If push pieces are provided on the sides of the case body for lid release, then the lid can be easily opened, but the push pieces restrict design and dirt can stick to spaces between push pieces and case body
Solution Approach 1:
The push operation function is merged with the case body surface itself rather than adding separate push pieces. The entire front wall or a large portion of the case body can serve as the push area, eliminating design restrictions and dirt accumulation spaces associated with separate push pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The case body surface serves multiple functions: it provides the structural housing, presents the aesthetic appearance, and functions as the push operation surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate push pieces and maximizes design freedom.
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 design ensures stable and long-lasting engagement between the lid and case body, easy operation, and improved cleanliness by preventing cosmetic material from sticking to the slit, maintaining the case's appearance and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral wall adjacent to the slit bends inwards when an inward external force is exerted on the peripheral wall, and the deformation of the peripheral wall acts as an external force on the slide piece
Data Source
AI summary
A vanity case in which a lid is coupled to part of peripheral walls of its case body pivotably and a slide piece is slidably mounted in the case body such that when the slide piece is at a first position, the lid is closed against the case body and that when the slide piece has moved from the first position to a second position, the lid is open relative to the case body. Formed through adjacent part of a bottom wall of the case body to one of the peripheral walls is a slit extending along the peripheral wall such that the peripheral wall adjacent to the slit bends inwards when an inward external force is exerted on the peripheral wall, and the deformation of the peripheral wall acts as an external force on the slide piece to make the slide piece move to the second position.