Elastic Latching Lid Stay for High-Force Container Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lid stays for transport containers are complex to manufacture and provide low holding forces, leading to increased complexity and susceptibility to wear.
Innovation Solution
A lid stay design featuring a swivel bracket that undergoes elastic deformation between locking and transport positions, utilizing an assembly pin or balls for connection, and a latching element that interacts with the swivel bracket in a force- and form-fit manner to ensure reliable locking without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lid stays with multiple components (half-shells, hinge parts, bracket elements, locking springs) are used, then the lid can be held in open position, but the manufacturing complexity increases and the structure becomes more susceptible to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (bracket element, locking spring, hinge part) into a single integrated lid stay component. The lid stay comprises a body with a swiveling latch that combines the functions of the bracket element and locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate half-shells, hinge parts, and locking springs while maintaining reliable locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid stay body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural support, the swiveling latch serves as both the locking element and the spring mechanism, and the same component provides both the bracket function and the hinge function. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the structure.
2Reliability
If conventional lid stays with multiple interacting components are used, then the lid can be locked, but the assembly time increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple components into a single lid stay body with an integrated swiveling latch mechanism, the number of assembly steps is dramatically reduced. The lid stay can be installed as one piece rather than assembling multiple separate components (half-shells, hinge parts, bracket elements, locking springs), thereby reducing assembly time and manufacturing complexity.
3Device complexity
If conventional lid stays with multiple separate components are used, then the lid can be held open, but the holding force is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The swiveling latch is designed with a curved engagement surface that allows for optimal force distribution. The curved geometry of the latch engagement with the container lid creates mechanical advantage, enabling the single-component lid stay to generate sufficient holding force to securely hold the heavy lid in the open position against gravity and external forces.
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 design reduces manufacturing complexity, lowers susceptibility to wear, and provides improved holding force with adjustable locking, facilitating easy assembly and reduced assembly time.
Implementation Method 1
The swivel bracket (7) undergoes an elastic deformation at least temporarily when the lid stay (4) is moved between the locking position and the transport position
Data Source
AI summary
A lid stay for a transport container. The lid stay has at least one bearing unit, at least one guide unit and at least one swivel bracket. The lid stay can be moved at least between a locking position and a transport position. Furthermore, the guide unit has at least one latching element. In the locking position, the swivel bracket interacts with the latching element in such a way that the lid stay is held in the locking position. The latching element causes at least a temporary elastic deformation of the swivel bracket when the lid stay is moved between the locking position and the transport position.