Container Lid Locking Mechanism with Rubber Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lid locking mechanisms for large containers are prone to damage when the latch is extended and pressed directly on the side plate, and they are not convenient to open and close.
Innovation Solution
A lid locking mechanism featuring a locking structure, a restoring structure, and a guiding structure, including a handle with a latch and a torsional spring, a pit on the lid, and a recess on the side plate, which uses a sliding rail and rib to accommodate the spring, and a locking member with a rotation pin and position limiting pins to securely engage the lid with the side plate, reducing the risk of damage and enhancing ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the latch is extended to lock the lid to the container, then the lid can be locked reliably, but the latch may be damaged due to direct pressure on the side plate
Solution Approach 1:
A rubber buffer is introduced as an intermediary element between the latch and the side plate. When the latch extends to lock the lid, the rubber buffer absorbs the direct pressure through elastic deformation, preventing damage to the latch while maintaining secure locking. The buffer acts as a mediator that protects the latch structure from harmful mechanical stress.
2Device complexity
If the locking mechanism structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes the weight of the lid itself to automatically engage the latch with the side plate when the lid is closed. The rubber buffer and latch structure are designed so that no additional force is needed beyond closing the lid, making operation intuitive and convenient. The system serves itself by using the natural motion of closing the lid to trigger the locking action.
3Volume of moving object
If the lid locking mechanism is compact, then the cumulative height when folded is reduced, but the locking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement along the edge of the lid. The latch extends horizontally along the side plate rather than vertically, allowing the mechanism to be compact in the height dimension while maintaining sufficient locking engagement length in the horizontal dimension. This dimensional reorientation solves both the compactness and reliability requirements.
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 mechanism securely locks the lid without damaging it, reduces the cumulative height of the container when folded, and lowers transportation and warehousing costs, while being easy to open and close.
Implementation Method 1
a spring applies a restoring force to the handle
Implementation Method 2
a handle with a latch and a torsional spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
A lid locking mechanism of a container is disclosed herein. the container includes a base, side plates and a lid. The locking mechanism is provided on an edge of the lid and an upper portion of the side plate; and the locking mechanism comprises a locking structure, a restoring structure and a guiding structure; wherein the locking structure is used to lock the lid to the side plates of the container, and the restoring structure and the guiding structure are used to assist the locking structure in locking the lid to the side plates. The locking mechanism of the present invention will not be damaged easily, and it is very convenient to open and close the lid provided with the locking mechanism.