Child Safety Lock with Sequential Spring-Bolt Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child safety locks are easily manipulable by adults and require difficult installation, compromising their effectiveness and aesthetic integrity.
Innovation Solution
A retrofittable safety lock system comprising a frame attachment member, latch part, and catch part, secured to the cupboard frame, with a complex operation sequence requiring multiple actions to open, making it difficult for children but manageable for adults, while maintaining a clean exterior appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then ease of operation for adults is improved, but child safety effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lock is divided into multiple functional components: a latch member with first and second actuating mechanisms, a catch member, and a frame attachment member. The first actuating mechanism requires a pushing motion while the second requires a pulling motion, segmenting the operation into distinct steps that are difficult for children but manageable for adults.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed to move between locked and unlocked positions dynamically. The catch member engages with the latch member in a movable catch arrangement, creating a dynamic locking system that responds to adult manipulation while remaining secure against child attempts.
2Reliability
If a complex multi-piece assembly is used, then child safety effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it includes both the first and second actuating mechanisms, the engagement interface with the catch member, and the mounting interface with the frame. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the complex operation sequence required for child safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member serves multiple purposes: it provides the primary locking function, responds to two different actuating mechanisms for dual-mode operation, engages with the catch member, and attaches to the frame. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining safety effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the lock is fixed to the top inner surface for easy adult release, then ease of operation for adults is improved, but child accessibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating mechanisms are positioned and designed with specific local characteristics: the first actuating mechanism requires a pushing motion accessible only when the catch is engaged, while the second requires a pulling motion. This local differentiation ensures that even though the lock is accessible, the specific operational requirements prevent child manipulation.
4Reliability
If existing safety locks are installed, then child protection is achieved, but aesthetic appearance of cupboards deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lock components are designed to be minimally visible when in the locked state. The latch member and catch member are positioned and sized to be unobtrusive, and the frame attachment member is designed to blend with the cupboard structure. This extraction of visual impact maintains aesthetic appearance while preserving child protection functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A child safety lock for a door or drawer includes a latch part and a catch part, the latch part configured to be fitted on a fixed frame member and including a latching protrusion including a through hole for receiving at least one spring biased bolt of the catch part, the catch part including a slot which receives the latching protrusion, wherein the at least one spring biased bolt extends across the slot and into the hole when the latching protrusion is located in the slot to lock the catch part to the latching protrusion. At least one user operable button is provided which, when pressed, causes the at least one spring biased bolt to retract wherein a secondary lock must be first engaged by the user before the bolt can be released.