Cellulose Separable Assembly With Sliding Detent Lock for Child Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separable assemblies in board games and toys intended for children under three years old face challenges in ensuring safety against choking, aspiration, and ingestion hazards while maintaining durability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A separable assembly design featuring a cellulose member with an elongated sliding track and a rigid plastic member connected via a detent interface, where the plastic member includes a spring bridge and detent protrusion that allows for easy assembly and disassembly without small parts, and withstands mechanical stress without deforming the interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional separable interfaces are used in toys for children under three, then assembly and disassembly are simple, but small parts may detach and create choking hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into a sliding track portion and a detent portion, where the detent protrusion engages with the detent recess to create an interlocked connection that prevents complete separation of components, eliminating small part hazards while maintaining ease of assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The detent protrusion is nested within the detent recess, creating a interlocking mechanism where one component fits into another, preventing detachment while allowing simple sliding assembly and disassembly motions
2Ease of operation
If simple sliding interfaces are used, then assembly is easy, but connection integrity under impact may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detent protrusion is pre-configured to engage with the detent recess before impact occurs, creating a pre-established mechanical interlock that strengthens the connection and prevents separation under subsequent impact forces
Solution Approach 2:
The detent protrusion features a curved or rounded geometry that complements the detent recess shape, creating a mechanically robust interlocking connection that resists impact forces while maintaining simple assembly through sliding motion
3Reliability
If rigid connection mechanisms are used to ensure durability, then connection integrity is improved, but the interface becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding track and detent mechanisms are merged into a single integrated interface structure, where the detent protrusion and recess are formed as part of the same assembly, reducing overall complexity while maintaining strong connection integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The interface structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the sliding track enables easy assembly, the detent mechanism provides secure locking, and the integrated design simplifies manufacturing, making the interface universally applicable to various toy components
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 safety for children under three years old by preventing small parts and maintaining connection integrity under impact, complying with safety regulations and enhancing durability.
Implementation Method 1
sufficient force applied to move the plastic member along the sliding track from the assembled position toward the end opening will resiliently deflect the spring bridge to withdraw the detent protrusion from the detent recess
Data Source
AI summary
A separable assembly includes a cellulose member having a side surface and an end face forming an edge with the side surface. The cellulose member defines an elongated sliding track that extends from an end opening at the end face and has a T-shaped transverse cross-section. The cellulose member defines a side opening along the sliding track at the side surface of the cellulose member. The sliding track further defines a detent recess spaced from the end surface and extending into the cellulose member. The separable assembly includes a rigid plastic member having an edge configured to be received within the end opening of the cellulose member and slid along the sliding track with the plastic member extending through the side opening. The plastic member includes a detent protrusion configured to engage the detent recess.