Container Locking System with Lever Handle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking systems for large containers face challenges in effortless operation and easy installation while providing sufficient locking strength, with complex assembly and limited locking strength being particular issues.
Innovation Solution
A locking system comprising a handle and latch with a lever mechanism, where the handle is pivotally mounted with male pins and concave profiles forming a sliding pair, allowing effortless operation and easy installation, and a spring biases the latch into a groove for enhanced locking, with limiting surfaces preventing over-rotation and guiding grooves ensuring linear motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a push-pull locking system with spring means is used, then the locking system is easy to manufacture and install, but it requires significant force to operate the latch and is difficult to unlock
Solution Approach 1:
The latch is changed from a static push-pull mechanism to a dynamic rotary mechanism that utilizes lever mechanics. The handle rotates around a pivot point, creating a mechanical advantage where a small rotational force can overcome the spring resistance and unlock the latch, making operation effortless while maintaining easy installation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from linear push-pull motion to rotational motion around a pivot point. This dimensional change allows the use of lever mechanics where the handle's rotation creates a larger operational force through the mechanical advantage of the lever arm, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and ease of manufacture
2Ease of operation
If a rotary locking system with elastic blade is used, then the force needed to unlock is reduced, but the assembly complexity increases and locking strength is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into distinct functional components: the handle as a lever arm, the pivot point as a fulcrum, and the latch as the locking element. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing robust locking strength and ease of operation, reducing overall assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot point enables rotational motion, introducing a curved path for the handle's movement. This rotational mechanism provides mechanical advantage through lever arms of different lengths, reducing the force needed to unlock while maintaining a simple assembly structure without complex elastic blades
3Volume of moving object
If the handle is positioned close to the pivot shaft, then the assembly is compact, but the operational force required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The handle extends perpendicular to the pivot shaft, utilizing the rotational dimension to create a longer effective lever arm. This spatial arrangement maximizes the mechanical advantage by increasing the distance from the pivot point to the point where force is applied, reducing operational force while maintaining compact assembly
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 system enables effortless operation and secure locking with reduced assembly complexity and improved user convenience, maintaining the side walls and small door in the desired state with enhanced locking strength.
Implementation Method 1
The handle and the latch constitute a lever system. The lever system uses the pivot shaft as a fulcrum, the handle as a driving member, and the latch as a driven member, where the distance between a force-exerting section of the handle and the fulcrum is greater than the distance from the sliding pair to the fulcrum
Implementation Method 2
the distance between a force-exerting section of the handle and the fulcrum is greater than the distance from the sliding pair to the fulcrum
Implementation Method 3
a spring biases the latch into a groove for enhanced locking
Implementation Method 4
The male pins and the concave profiles are engaged to form a sliding pair
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A locking system applicable in a large container comprises a first component, a second component, and a latch (10). The latch (10) is movably received within the first component, and correspondingly the second component is provided with a groove (14) to receive a section of the latch (10) extending from the receiving section of the first component. The locking system also comprises a handle (9). The handle (9) is arranged on the first component via pivot shafts (13) and is allowed to turn towards an outer side of the first component. The handle (9) is provided at a section thereof away from the pivot shaft (13) with male pins (11). The latch (10) is provided with concave profiles in correspondence to the male pin (11). The male pin (11) and the concave profile (12) are engaged to form a sliding pair. Furthermore, the handle (9) and the latch (10) constitute a lever system. The lever system uses the pivot shaft (13) as a fulcrum, the handle (9) as a driving member, and the latch (10) as a driven member, where the distance between a force-exerting section of the handle (9) and the fulcrum is greater than the distance from the sliding pair to the fulcrum. The locking system has the advantages of effortless operation, easy installation, and, when in use, improved conformation of movements to gesture habits of people.