Hinge Locking Spring for Transport Container Lid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport container lids can accidentally close during loading or unloading due to insufficient fastening, posing a risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A flexible locking spring is integrated into the underside of one hinge part, guiding a bracket element to a locking position corresponding to the open lid position and securing it there, using a combination of half-shells, swivel brackets, and ramps to maintain the lid in an open position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple hinge connection is used for the lid, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of keeping the lid open is insufficient and the lid can accidentally close
Solution Approach 1:
The locking spring (8) is designed as a flexible, dynamic element that automatically engages and disengages based on lid position. The spring's flexibility allows it to deform during operation and return to its locking position, providing reliable open-position retention without requiring a complex mechanical locking system. The dynamic nature of the spring enables automatic adaptation to lid movement while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking spring (8) acts as an intermediary element between the hinge parts and the bracket element (4). It mediates the interaction by providing a flexible connection that guides the bracket to the locking position and maintains engagement during lid opening operations, thereby ensuring reliability without directly complicating the hinge structure.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental closure, then the reliability of lid positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking spring (8) is implemented as a flexible holding area with a V-shaped cross-section, utilizing the properties of flexible structures to provide locking functionality. This flexible element can deform to guide the bracket element into the locking position and maintain engagement without requiring rigid mechanical components, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking spring (8) is designed to automatically guide the bracket element (4) to the locking position and maintain engagement without requiring additional actuation mechanisms. The spring's inherent elasticity and geometry enable it to self-adjust and self-lock, providing reliable lid positioning while avoiding the complexity of externally controlled locking systems.
3Reliability
If the locking spring guides the bracket to a locking position, then the lid open position stability is improved, but the ease of operation for closing the lid may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking spring (8) is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to automatically disengage from the bracket element (4) when the lid is closed. The spring's flexibility enables it to deform during the closing process, reducing the force required to overcome the locking mechanism. This dynamic behavior ensures that while the spring provides reliable locking during opening operations, it does not create excessive resistance during closing.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking spring (8) operates in a periodic manner, engaging to guide the bracket to the locking position during lid opening, and automatically disengaging during lid closing. This periodic engagement and disengagement pattern ensures reliable open-position retention while maintaining ease of operation for closing, as the spring only exerts locking force when needed during the opening cycle.
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 securely locks the lid in the open position, preventing accidental closure during handling and allowing easy release when closing the container.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible locking spring (8) on an underside of one of the hinge parts (6, 7), which has a substantially V-shaped flexible holding area (12)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The device (1) has a pivoting bracket (4), and a hinge (5) comprising two hinge parts (6, 7), where the hinge parts are fastened to respective semi-shells (2, 3). A locking spring (8) is arranged at one of the hinge parts and works together with a bracket side piece (9) of the pivoting bracket, where the bracket side piece is arranged opposite to another bracket side piece (10) that is supported by another hinge part. The spring has a V-shaped, flexibly designed retaining area that is arranged between two fixing sections.