Elastomeric Latch for Insulating Chest Lid Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating devices, such as coolers, face issues with unsecure latching mechanisms that deteriorate over time, leading to safety concerns and the need for frequent replacement, especially in rugged conditions, as the friction fit between the lid and base either becomes too loose or too tight, making the lid difficult to open.
Innovation Solution
An insulating container system with an elastically stretchable latch that securely couples the lid to the chest using a pair of protrusions and recesses, allowing for a tensioned engagement that maintains the lid in a closed position while being easily disengaged for opening, and includes features like a carrying handle and bottle opener for user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a friction fit mechanism is used to secure the lid to the base, then the lid can be easily opened initially, but the fit becomes loose over time due to material deterioration and repeated use cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system is divided into separate functional components: a latch member with engagement features on the lid, and a receiving mechanism with corresponding features on the base. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both ease of operation and long-term reliability, preventing the material deterioration issues that affect integrated friction fit designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged positions, transitioning from a static friction fit to a dynamic mechanical latching system. This allows the lid to be securely held in the closed position through positive engagement while enabling easy opening through simple movement of the latch member.
2Reliability
If the lid and base are dimensioned to produce a tighter friction fit to counterbalance deterioration, then the lid becomes very difficult to open as a vacuum is created between the hollow interior compartment and the lid
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum seal function is extracted from the latching function. The seal member is designed to create a vacuum seal for thermal insulation purposes, while the separate latch member handles the mechanical securing and opening operations. This allows the seal to remain tight for reliability while the latch provides easy opening without being affected by vacuum forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member acts as an intermediary that mediates between the user's opening action and the vacuum seal. By engaging and disengaging the latch member, the user can easily open the lid without directly overcoming the vacuum force, as the latch mechanism transfers and amplifies the opening force.
3Strength
If metal latches and latch receiving mechanisms are used, then the latching system can be strengthened, but the metal components deteriorate under constant tension from repeated use cycles until they yield in shear failure
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameters of the latch member are changed from metal to elastomeric material. This material substitution maintains sufficient latching strength through elastic properties while dramatically improving durability by eliminating shear failure modes associated with metal under constant tension. The elastomeric material can undergo repeated deformation cycles without fatigue or failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching system utilizes composite construction with the latch member made of elastomeric material and the seal member made of similar material, creating a unified flexible latching and sealing system. This composite approach combines the advantages of material flexibility and elasticity with secure mechanical engagement, achieving both strength and long-term reliability under repeated use.
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 provides a secure, long-lasting seal and easy operation of the lid, reducing the risk of failure and enhancing user safety by maintaining the lid's closure without creating a vacuum, while allowing for easy access and carrying of the device.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum is created between the hollow interior compartment of the base and the lid
Implementation Method 2
The latch is also elastically stretchable from a relaxed configuration to a tensioned configuration and movable between an engaged position where the latch is in the tensioned configuration and a disengaged position in which the latch is in the relaxed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to an insulating device, for example a cooler, and a latch and latching system for securing a lid of the insulating device in a closed position. More specifically, the insulating device includes a chest coupled to a lid, and a ledge extending from the chest. A slot is formed in the ledge and for each slot, a pair of protrusions extend from a bottom surface of the ledge on other side of the slot. The protrusions are received by corresponding recesses formed in the latch. Thus, when the latch is in the engaged position, the protrusions are physically securely engaged in the recesses by virtue of the latch being in a tensioned configuration.