Child-Resistant Storage Case Multi-Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant storage cases are inadequate in preventing access by small children due to intuitive opening mechanisms and lack of secure closure features, as they often rely on hand span and dexterity, which can be overcome by determined children.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant storage case design featuring opposing side latches that must be simultaneously pressed open, combined with a counter-intuitive downward-actuated front latch, and an optional lip or rail to prevent prying, ensuring the case is difficult for small children to open while accessible to adults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If opposing side latches are spaced greater than a child's hand span, then child resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring multiple latches
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into multiple independent latch mechanisms distributed around the container periphery. Each latch can be independently actuated, and their collective arrangement creates a multi-point securing system that prevents child access while maintaining adult usability through strategic spacing and sizing.
2Reliability
If multiple latch mechanisms are distributed around the periphery, then child resistance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring simultaneous actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The latches are arranged in a circular pattern around the container periphery, utilizing the circumferential dimension. This distribution allows adult users to access latches from different angular positions, and the circular arrangement enables flexible actuation sequences (simultaneous or sequential) while maintaining child resistance through the multi-point securing effect.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lid-seam seam is exposed, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the child resistance deteriorates due to prying vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible sealing lip extends along the periphery of the lid, covering the seam between the lid and container body. This thin film structure prevents children from inserting fingernails or bladed devices to pry the lid open, while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes and maintaining the structural integrity of the closure system.
Data Source
AI summary
A child-resistant storage case has a lid hinged to a base to define an interior storage space. Two side latches are spaced apart from one another on opposing side aspects of the storage case. A front latch mechanism includes a horizontal tab extending forward from the front aspect of the case. To open the storage case, the user must simultaneously press inward on the side latches, press downward on the horizontal tab, and lift the lid upward. The required downward actuation of the front latch mechanism is counter-intuitive for most people, and in combination with the side latches, is very difficult for most small children.