Drawer Slide Locking Mechanism With Motor-Driven Latch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drawer slides do not provide secure access control, as they facilitate easy access to contents, which may be undesirable for personal or valuable items, and secure storage solutions like safes are often bulky and not suitable for cabinet integration.
Innovation Solution
A drawer slide with a lock mechanism featuring an outer slide member, an inner slide member with a latch arm, a latch receiver, a lever arm, and a motor to control the locking and unlocking positions, allowing for controlled access while maintaining the compactness of the drawer slide system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drawer slide is used to provide easy access to drawer contents, then accessibility is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drawer slide mechanism with a locking mechanism into a single integrated system. The lock mechanism includes a latch arm, latch receiver, and motor-driven lever arm that work together with the slide members to provide both easy accessibility and security. This merging resolves the contradiction by allowing the drawer to be easily accessible when unlocked while maintaining security when locked.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism automatically engages and disengages based on the drawer position and motor control, without requiring separate manual locking or unlocking actions. The motor-driven lever arm automatically positions the latch arm to engage or disengage the latch receiver, providing self-service functionality that maintains both security and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to the drawer slide to improve security, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism components are nested within the drawer slide structure. The latch arm is positioned on the inner slide member, the latch receiver is mounted on the outer slide member, and the lever arm is rotatably mounted on the outer slide member. This nesting arrangement provides security functionality while minimizing the overall space required and reducing apparent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor-driven lever arm serves multiple functions: it positions the latch arm to engage the latch receiver for locking, positions it to disengage for unlocking, and can potentially serve as a manual override mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If a motor-driven locking mechanism is implemented to control access, then security is improved, but use of energy is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when locking or unlocking is required. The motor drives the lever arm to specific positions (locked or unlocked) and then remains inactive, allowing the mechanical latch mechanism to maintain the security state without additional energy consumption. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy usage compared to continuous motor operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical locking system with an electromechanical system where a small motor provides the actuating force. This substitution allows for controlled access through electrical signals while using minimal energy, as the motor only needs to overcome the spring force and friction during brief locking/unlocking transitions rather than maintaining constant force.
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 solution provides secure, controlled access to drawer contents while maintaining the ease of use and compactness of standard drawer slides, suitable for both residential and commercial applications.
Implementation Method 1
a motor drivably coupled to the lever arm to rotate the lever arm in at least one direction
Implementation Method 2
a shape memory alloy wire attached to the lever arm and arranged to pull the lever arm to the release position when heated
Implementation Method 3
a cam arranged to pivot the lever arm by pushing a cam follower portion of the lever arm
Data Source
AI summary
A drawer slide with lock mechanism has an elongated outer slide member extendably coupled to an inner slide member. A latch arm or pin is fixed to the inner slide member for latching by a lock mechanism fixed to the outer slide member. The lock mechanism uses a latch receiver that rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is in a travel path of the latch arm. A lever arm rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is positionable to block rotation of the latch receiver in a locked position to retain the latch arm. A motor drives a cam to position the lever arm to free the latch receiver from the locked position.