Adaptive diameter sealing mechanism
A diameter-adaptive sealing mechanism includes a central actuator gear, multiple pivot-linked actuator subassemblies, and a deformable ring. Rotation of the actuator causes synchronized outward motion of the actuator subassemblies, expanding the deformable ring to engage an interior vessel wall and create a seal. Reverse rotation returns the deformable ring toward a neutral diameter. The mechanism supports manual or mechanical rotation and is suitable for applications such as adaptive tumbler lids and industrial sealing systems. Reference Numerals 100 Actuator subassembly 110 Main pivot 115 Secondary pivot 120 Toothed sector 130 Curved arm 140 a- 140 d Actuator subassemblies (circumferential set) 200 Mechanism assembly 210 Central actuator 300 Installed configuration 310 Deformable ring 320 Channel 400 Housing 410 Upper housing plate 420 Lower housing plate 430 Upper mechanism plate 440 Lower mechanism plate 500 Vessel 600 Central support member (optionally defining a through-passage)
1 . An adaptive sealing mechanism comprising:
a central actuator configured to translate rotational motion into radial displacement;
a plurality of actuator subassemblies arranged circumferentially around the central actuator, each actuator subassembly including a toothed sector and a curved arm linked by a secondary pivot and supported for rotation about a main pivot;
a deformable ring disposed around the actuator subassemblies and engaged by distal ends of the curved arms; and
wherein rotation of the central actuator causes the actuator subassemblies to move outward to increase an effective outer diameter of the deformable ring and press the deformable ring against an interior surface of a vessel to form a seal, and reverse rotation of the central actuator allows the deformable ring to return toward a neutral diameter.
2 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the central actuator comprises a spur gear and each toothed sector comprises a gear segment meshed with the spur gear.
3 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the central actuator is supported on a central support member that defines a through-passage for liquid or a drinking straw.
4 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of actuator subassemblies comprises four actuator subassemblies spaced substantially evenly around the central actuator.
5 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the deformable ring is seated within a circumferential channel defined at least in part between an upper housing plate and an upper mechanism plate on an upper side of the deformable ring and between a lower mechanism plate and a lower housing plate on a lower side of the deformable ring.
6 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 5 , wherein the upper housing plate and the upper mechanism plate cooperate to compress an inner portion of the deformable ring into the channel from above, and the lower mechanism plate and the lower housing plate cooperate to compress an inner portion of the deformable ring into the channel from below to retain the deformable ring during radial expansion and contraction.
7 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the main pivots of the actuator subassemblies are formed on or supported by a lower mechanism plate, and the lower mechanism plate is supported relative to a lower housing plate that supports a central support member on which the central actuator is centered.
8 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is configured for use with vessels having an interior diameter within a range of approximately 50 millimeters to 110 millimeters.
9 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is configured such that a maximum expanded effective outer diameter of the deformable ring is approximately 30 percent to 40 percent greater than a neutral effective outer diameter of the deformable ring.
10 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a user-operable dial or rotary control coupled to the central actuator to allow manual adjustment of the effective outer diameter of the deformable ring.
11 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 10 , wherein the user-operable dial or rotary control is integrated into an upper lid portion of a drinking-vessel closure.
12 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising at least one locking feature configured to maintain the actuator subassemblies at a selected radial position corresponding to a selected effective outer diameter of the deformable ring.
13 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 12 , wherein the at least one locking feature comprises at least one of a detent, a frictional interface, or a ratcheting element associated with the central actuator or the housing.
14 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the deformable ring comprises a food-safe elastomeric material selected from silicone and thermoplastic elastomer, and at least one of the central actuator, housing plates, and mechanism plates comprises a food-safe thermoplastic material selected from polypropylene, acetal, and polycarbonate.
15 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the housing forms at least a portion of a universal-fit tumbler lid configured to be removably attached to a beverage tumbler, and the vessel comprises the beverage tumbler.
16 . The adaptive sealing mechanism of claim 10 , further comprising a portion of the housing, lid, or another stationary structure configured to be grasped by a user to resist rotation of the mechanism or the vessel while the user rotates the user-operable dial or rotary control.