Storage Unit Access Door With Quick Disconnect Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Access doors in storage units often unintentionally switch from the opened to closed position due to external jarring or uneven surfaces, and require excessive force to open, risking damage to the door, storage unit, and hinge.
Innovation Solution
An access door with a latch to maintain the closed position and a biasing member, such as a compression spring or gas strut, coupled via a quick disconnect mechanism to assist in opening and prevent overextension damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnet is used to maintain the access door in the closed position, then the door remains securely closed, but excessive force is required to open the door
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic closure system is segmented into multiple weak magnets distributed around the door perimeter rather than one strong magnet. This distributes the holding force across multiple points, maintaining secure closure while reducing the peak force needed at any single point to overcome the magnetic attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple magnets providing partial magnetic force at each location rather than one magnet providing excessive force. The cumulative effect of multiple weaker magnets achieves the same holding strength while making the door easier to open, as the user only needs to overcome the magnetic force at the leading edge of the door during opening.
2Productivity
If the access door is opened with too great a force, then the door opens quickly, but the access door, storage unit, and/or hinge could be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates a damping mechanism that provides resistance to rapid door opening movements. This cushioning effect absorbs excess energy and prevents the door from slamming shut or the hinge from experiencing damaging shock loads, while still allowing the door to open at a reasonable speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of rapid door opening into a beneficial feature by using the kinetic energy of the opening door to actively engage the latch mechanism. The controlled rapid movement helps ensure positive latch engagement while the damping system prevents excessive forces that would cause damage.
3Reliability
If the access door is disposed on an uneven surface, then the door may unintentionally move to the closed position, but using a stronger magnetic force to prevent this makes it even more difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic closure system is segmented into multiple weak magnets distributed around the door perimeter rather than one strong magnet. This distributes the holding force across multiple points, maintaining secure closure while reducing the peak force needed at any single point to overcome the magnetic attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic field parameters by using multiple magnets with different strengths and positions optimized to work with the door's weight and the expected uneven surface conditions. This creates a more stable closure that is less sensitive to external disturbances while remaining easier to open.
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 solution reduces the risk of damage and requires less force to open the door by using a latch and a biasing member with a quick disconnect mechanism, ensuring safe and easy access to the interior containment space.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member, such as, for example, a compression spring or gas strut, adapted to assist in moving the access door to either of the opened and/or closed positions
Implementation Method 2
access doors are typically maintained in the closed position utilizing a magnet(s)
Data Source
AI summary
A storage unit having an interior containment space. The storage unit includes a connection member, an access door coupled to the storage unit via a hinge and adapted to cover at least a portion of the interior containment space, and a biasing member having opposing first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the access door, and the second end is releasably coupled to the connection member. The second end is adapted to be released from the connection member when the access door is overextended or opened with too great a force.