Floating Medicine Dispenser Cover Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floating medicine dispensers in swimming pools lack a child-proof lock, posing a risk of accidental opening and potential ingestion of tablets by children.

Innovation Solution

An upper end cover with a locking mechanism comprising a pressing buckle, reset component, and locking plate is applied to the floating medicine dispenser, preventing accidental opening and ingestion by locking the cover securely onto the dispenser's main body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to the floating medicine dispenser, then safety against accidental opening is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against accidental openingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock and unlock based on the floating dispenser's state. When the dispenser floats on water surface, the locking plate automatically engages with the main body. When submerged, the locking plate automatically disengages, allowing tablet release without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electronic locking systems with a simple mechanical locking mechanism consisting of a locking plate, pressing buckle, and reset component. This mechanical system achieves child-proof safety through pure mechanical engagement and disengagement based on water buoyancy forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent children from opening the cover, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild-proof safetyVSAvoidease of opening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking plate extends to clamp onto the main body in advance, creating a pre-established mechanical barrier that prevents accidental opening by children. The reset component maintains constant pressure on the locking plate to ensure it remains engaged during normal floating operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state during floating operation to a dynamic unlocked state when submerged. The pressing buckle can be dynamically pressed to disengage the locking plate, and the reset component dynamically resets the locking plate to the engaged position after unlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the cover is made securely locked to prevent accidental opening, then safety is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover locking reliabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the locking plate for engagement, the pressing buckle for actuation, and the reset component for automatic resetting. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently using simple processes and then assembled together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reset component utilizes an elastic bent plate that leverages material elasticity to provide automatic resetting functionality. This elastic element is simple to manufacture from common materials and requires no complex machining or assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 locking mechanism effectively prevents children from opening the cover or swallowing tablets, ensuring safe operation of the dispenser in swimming pools by maintaining the cover in a locked state.

Implementation Method 1

the reset component consists of two elastic bent plates that are connected to the rear end of the pressing buckle in mirror symmetry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20200216234A1Upper end cover applied on floating medicine dispenser and floating medicine dispenser

Publication Date: 2020.07.09 NINGBO DONGCHUAN SWIMMING POOL EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

This disclosure discloses an upper end cover applied on a floating medicine dispenser and a floating medicine dispenser which comprises a main body and the upper end cover; the upper end cover comprising a cover body, at least one locking mechanism arranged on the cover body, and the locking mechanism comprises a pressing buckle, a reset component connected to the pressing buckle and a locking plate; the pressing buckle is movably mounted on the cover body through the reset component; one end of the locking plate, the end of which away from the pressing buckle, extends toward the main body of the floating medicine dispenser, and clamps into the main body of the floating medicine dispenser when the reset component is at the reset state so as to lock the upper end cover on the main body of the floating medicine dispenser.