Pivotal Lid Container Latch Assembly with Biasing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers and latching systems are often not durable and can be difficult to use, as they may not securely hold items and may engage unintentionally or fail to provide a sufficient lock, rendering them ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a molded base with a latch keeper and a pivotal lid, a latch assembly with a locking member that biases into a downward position and can be unlocked by an activating member, and a gasket for sealing, which ensures secure closure and easy opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional latching system is used, then the container can be closed, but it may engage unintentionally or fail to provide a sufficient lock
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member pre-positions the locking member in the unlocked position before user interaction, requiring deliberate action to engage the latch. This preliminary positioning prevents accidental engagement while ensuring reliable locking when intentionally activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching system uses movable components including a pivotally engaged latch body and a slidable locking member that transitions between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic mechanism provides controlled engagement rather than static fixed positioning, improving both reliability and user control.
2Strength
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the container may not be strong enough to hold items securely
Solution Approach 1:
The latch keeper is integrally formed with the base as a single molded piece, merging the structural support function with the latching feature. This combination provides structural strength without adding separate complex components, as the latch keeper extends from the base's sidewall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching function is divided into distinct components: the latch keeper (fixed), latch body (pivotal), locking member (slidable), and biasing member (elastic). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system strength without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If the locking member is always engaged, then secure locking is achieved, but the container becomes difficult to open when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member automatically returns the locking member to the unlocked position after engagement, and the activation member automatically disengages the latch when released. This self-service mechanism reduces the effort required to operate the latch while maintaining secure locking when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching system operates in periodic cycles of engagement and disengagement controlled by the user. The biasing member ensures the system returns to the unlocked state after each locking cycle, enabling repeated use with consistent security and ease of operation.
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 provides enhanced durability and usability by ensuring secure item retention and easy operation, with the latch assembly allowing controlled locking and unlocking, and the gasket ensuring a tight seal.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member engaged with the latch body and the locking member, where the biasing member biases the locking member in a downward position
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A container (302) having a base (304) and a lid (305) is provided. The lid may be rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration and may be secured, via one or more latching assemblies (400). The latching assembly may comprise a latch body (402), a locking member (430), a biasing member (450), and an activating member (470). Additional features of the container may include handles (340) and strength increasing features (413). The base (304) and lid (305) may also feature attachment points (319) for various accessories.