Container Locking Lever with Cam Follower Holding Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container locking devices risk causing injuries when the lid is opened due to sudden pivoting out of the locking position under counteracting forces from the elastic seal, and the lever can be inadvertently opened without manual actuation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cam and cam follower mechanism that generates a holding torque to lock the lever in an intermediate position, allowing safe manual release and reducing wear, featuring a spring-loaded cam follower and a radially wider cam section for increased counteracting forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a blocking element is used to secure the lever in the locking position, then the sealing force is improved, but the risk of sudden lever pivoting and injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam follower is preliminarily positioned on the cam surface to engage before the blocking element secures the lever. This preliminary engagement prepares the holding torque mechanism to activate immediately when the blocking element releases, preventing sudden lever movement and injury while maintaining the sealing force during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam follower acts as an intermediary between the lever and the blocking element. It translates the lever's position into cam surface engagement that generates holding torque, mediating the release process to ensure controlled lever movement rather than sudden pivoting, thus reducing injury risk while preserving sealing effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If a spiral spring urges the lever into the release position, then the lever can be completely opened, but the risk of inadvertent opening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam follower generates a holding torque that acts as a preliminary counter-force to the spiral spring's urging action. This holding torque opposes the spring's force to keep the lever securely in the locking position, preventing inadvertent opening. When intentional release is needed, the blocking element moves away, allowing the cam follower to control the lever's movement and the spring to complete the opening action.
3Productivity
If the lever pivots suddenly from locking to release position, then the seal is released, but mechanical shock and injury risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam follower creates a dynamic, controlled transition for the lever from the locking to the release position. Instead of a sudden pivot, the lever follows the cam surface profile, which regulates the movement speed and generates holding torque throughout the transition. This dynamic control maintains productivity by ensuring reliable seal release while minimizing mechanical shock and injury risk through gradual lever movement.
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 reduces the risk of injuries by ensuring controlled release of the lever, allowing safe manual operation and minimizing wear through a consistent holding torque, adaptable to various container sizes and sealing materials.
Implementation Method 1
a cam follower which is supported on the housing and is urged against the cam by spring-elastic means
Implementation Method 2
the inherent elasticity of the seal that is squeezed together in the locking position
Implementation Method 3
an inherently elastic seal made of an inherently elastic material, e.g. rubber
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for locking a container (4) that can be closed with a lid (2), comprising a housing (6) that can be accommodated on the lid (2) and a lever (16) that is pivotably mounted in the housing (6). The lever has a handle (24) at the first end (22a) thereof for pivoting the lever (16) from a first locking position to a second release position, and the lever is provided with hook-shaped engagement means (28) at the second end (22b) thereof, which engagement means engage behind a projection (30) on the container in the first locking position in order to push the lid (2) against the container (4) at a specified pressing force, wherein a blocking element (32) blocks the lever (16) from pivoting to the second release position in the first locking position. The device is characterized in that the lever comprises a control groove (36) having a drawn-back groove section (36a), said control groove interacting with a spring-loaded groove follower (38) supported on the housing (6), wherein the groove follower (38) acts on the lever (16) with a retaining torque directed opposite the pivoting motion after the lever pivots from the locking position in order to stop the lever (16) in a third intermediate position located between the locking position and the release position.