Child-Resistant Closure With Cammed Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closures lack effective child-resistant mechanisms that prevent accidental opening by children while allowing easy access for adults.
Innovation Solution
A closure system comprising a collar and lid that can be selectively locked and unlocked, featuring a locking mechanism with cammed surfaces and a biasing mechanism using flexible spokes to maintain the locked position until a user input is applied, allowing for a secure and accessible container design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent child-resistant opening, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into functionally independent components: a collar assembly with locking mechanism and a lid assembly with cammed surface. The collar includes a collar body, cammed surface, and biasing mechanism as separate functional elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism (spring) automatically maintains the collar in the locked position without requiring external power or complex control systems. The cammed surface on the lid automatically engages with the collar's cam surface during rotation to lock or unlock the closure. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for motors, sensors, or electronic controls, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining child-resistant safety.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent child-resistant opening, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cammed surface on the lid is designed with a curved profile that rotates within the collar. This curved geometry provides a mechanical advantage, allowing an adult user to easily rotate the lid through a small angle to engage or disengage the locking mechanism. The cammed surface converts a small rotational motion into the locking/unlocking action, making the operation simple and intuitive for adults while remaining difficult for children to manipulate.
3Reliability
If a biasing mechanism is added to maintain locked position, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism uses a simple, inexpensive spring component that is easy to manufacture and replace. This basic mechanical element provides reliable locking force without requiring complex actuators, motors, or electronic components. The simplicity of the spring mechanism reduces overall device complexity while effectively maintaining the locked position and providing child-resistant safety.
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 system effectively prevents unwanted opening by children while allowing adults to easily open and close the container, providing a secure and user-friendly child-resistant closure.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism using flexible spokes to maintain the locked position
Data Source
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AI summary
A closure for a container, and more specifically a closure that is selectively openable and/or lockable providing, for example, one or more child resistant opening features is disclosed.