Retrofit Closure Stop with Flexure and Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy closure members in enclosures, such as safes and refrigerators, can unintentionally close and cause injuries by crushing body parts due to their weight and sturdy nature, with existing solutions failing to effectively prevent such accidents without requiring redesign or repurchase of enclosures.
Innovation Solution
A closure member stop device comprising a base, cushion, flexure, and lever that absorbs kinetic energy and prevents full closure, allowing users to control the closure process by moving the cushion out of the swing path, which can be easily retrofitted to existing enclosures without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a heavy closure member is used to provide protective enclosure, then the protection level and structural strength are improved, but the risk of injury from unintentional closure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member stop proactively prevents unintentional closure by positioning a cushion in the swing path before closure occurs. The cushion creates physical opposition that stops the closure member before it can contact and injure a person, thereby applying counter-action in advance to eliminate the harmful effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion acts as an intermediary element between the closure member and the person. Instead of allowing direct contact between the heavy closure member and the person's body, the cushion intercepts the closure member and absorbs its kinetic energy, preventing direct harmful contact.
2Reliability
If a closure member stop device is added to prevent unintentional closure, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member stop is divided into distinct functional segments: a base for mounting, a flexure for movement, and a cushion for energy absorption. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member stop is designed to be self-regulating through the flexure mechanism. When the closure member contacts the cushion, the flexure automatically allows the cushion to move and absorb energy without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources, thereby maintaining simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If an existing enclosure is retrofitted with a closure member stop, then the cost is reduced, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member stop is designed as a pre-assembled unit with the cushion, flexure, and base already connected. This preliminary assembly simplifies installation by reducing the number of separate components that need to be installed and connected on-site, thereby reducing installation complexity despite the retrofit nature of the application.
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 device effectively prevents unwanted closure and potential injuries by absorbing kinetic energy and allowing controlled operation, while providing cost savings through retrofitting rather than redesigning existing enclosures.
Implementation Method 1
kinetic energy associated with a moving/swinging closure member may be absorbed and dissipated by the closure member stop
Implementation Method 2
the impact face being configured to interface with the closure member at least during closing of the closure member
Implementation Method 3
a flexure extending away from the top portion and providing an operative connection between the cushion and the base
Implementation Method 4
a lever operably connected to the cushion and the flexure, and configured such that upon application of a force to the lever, the cushion is moved in a direction toward or away from a swing path of the closure member according to a vector of the applied force
Data Source
AI summary
A closure member (e.g., door) stop includes a base having a top portion opposite a bottom portion, the bottom portion being configured for affixing to an installation point associated with the closure member, a flexure extending away from the top portion, a cushion comprising an angled face and an impact face, the impact face being configured to interface with the closure member during closing of the closure member, and the angled face being configured to interface with the closure member during opening of the closure member. The flexure provides an operable, bendable connection between the cushion and the base. Also, a lever is operably connected to the cushion and the flexure and configured to move the cushion away from a swing path of the closure member. The cushion extends into a swing path of the closure member when the closure member stop is at rest in the installed position.