Container Latch Mechanism with Biasing Arms for Jamming Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant containers face limitations in preventing jamming of latch mechanisms, require additional fasteners for assembly, and are complex to manufacture, assemble, and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A container assembly with a latch mechanism that includes a first and second latch portion, where the second latch portion has a latch cage and biasing arms to engage the first latch portion, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement without additional fasteners, and is designed to be child-resistant and easier to manufacture and maintain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to the container, then child resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is integrated into the container structure itself, where the latch portion and cage are formed as part of the container walls rather than being separate attached components. This merging approach maintains child resistance functionality while reducing overall device complexity by eliminating the need for additional fasteners and separate latch components.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure serves multiple functions: it provides containment, structural support, and integrated latch mechanism functionality. The wall portions simultaneously act as structural elements and as components of the latch system, allowing a single element to perform multiple functions and thereby reducing the number of separate components needed.
2Strength
If additional fasteners are used to connect latch mechanism, then connection strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch connection is achieved through direct integration into the molded container structure rather than through separate fasteners. The latch portion and cage are formed as integral parts of the container walls, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations and simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure itself provides the connection function through its integrated latch design. The molded-in latch portions and cages create self-contained connection points that do not require external fasteners or additional assembly steps, allowing the structure to serve its own fastening needs.
3Ease of manufacture
If latch mechanism is integrated into container structure, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is merged with the container structure through integral molding, where latch portions and cages are formed as part of the container walls. This approach simplifies manufacturing by reducing part count and assembly steps while maintaining reliability through the creation of robust, monolithic connection points that eliminate potential failure points associated with separate fasteners.
4Ease of operation
If latch portions are designed to engage without fasteners, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch portions and cages are merged into the container structure through integral molding, which inherently provides precise geometric relationships between mating surfaces. The molding process itself ensures accurate alignment and fit between latch components, meeting precision requirements while enabling simple assembly without fasteners.
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 container assembly effectively prevents jamming of the latch mechanism, is child-resistant, and simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process, providing a reliable and user-friendly solution for storing hazardous materials.
Implementation Method 1
The second latch portion includes a pair of biasing arms configured to engage a portion of the second portion, and bias the second latch portion to an engagement position
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly includes a first portion including a first latch portion; and a second portion including a second latch portion. The first and second portions are configured to be movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and the first and second latch portions are configured to releasably engage in the closed configuration. The first and second latch portions are configured to engage the first and second container portions together in the closed configuration to define an internal compartment. The second latch portion includes a latch cage defining a chamber configured to receive a portion of the first latch portion in the closed configuration.