Hinged Waste Container Door with Intermediate Locking Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste containers with access doors suffer from security vulnerabilities due to tampering and tolerance issues in plastic materials, leading to sub-optimal lock functionality.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a hinged door with a lock assembly that includes an engagement member with a first and second portion, where the second portion is biased towards a configuration preventing translational movement from the closed to intermediate position, and an actuation member to change this configuration, ensuring the door can only be opened from an intermediate position, enhancing security and resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock assembly is added to prevent door opening from closed position, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lock assembly with the hinge connection by integrating the engagement member into the hinge mechanism. The engagement member with its two portions and biasing mechanism is incorporated as part of the hinge assembly, allowing the lock and hinge to share common structural elements. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism automatically returns the engagement member's second portion to its blocking configuration after the door is opened, eliminating the need for manual resetting of the lock. The system self-locks when the door is closed and self-unlocks when opened, reducing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional locks are used on plastic bins, then locking function is provided, but manufacturing precision problems cause sub-optimal functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to translate between configurations and rotate about the hinge axis. This dynamic design accommodates tolerance variations in plastic manufacturing by enabling the lock components to self-adjust their positions rather than requiring precise fixed positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism provides a spring force that maintains optimal engagement pressure between lock components, compensating for dimensional variations in the plastic bin. The spring force parameter can be adjusted to ensure reliable locking despite manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If the door can only open via intermediate position, then security against tampering is improved, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is positioned in advance to block direct opening from the closed position. The first portion engages with the door in the closed position, and the second portion extends to prevent movement to the open position, requiring the preliminary action of moving to an intermediate position first.
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening motion is segmented into distinct phases: closed position, intermediate position, and open position. The lock assembly is configured to permit movement between these segments in a controlled sequence, with the engagement member blocking direct transition from closed to open.
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 enhanced security by ensuring the door cannot be opened from a closed position without moving to an intermediate position and automatically locks when closed, reducing the risk of tampering and improving the reliability of the locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the second portion is biased towards the second configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
A container (10) comprises a main body (12) and a door member (14). The main body (12) is linked to the door member (14) by a hinge (20,21) which permits the door member (14) to rotate relative to said main body (12) between a first open position and a second closed position in which the door member (14) is retained; and permits the door member (14) to translate parallel to said hinge (20,21) to an intermediate position between the first and second positions. The door member (14) may only move from the second position to the first position via the intermediate position. A side lock assembly (58) comprises an engagement member (64) having a first portion (66) which is fixed to either the door member (14) or the main body (12) and a second portion (68) moveable relative to the first portion (66) between a first configuration, in which said translational movement of the door member (14) from said second position to said intermediate position is permitted, and a second configuration, in which said translational movement of the door member (14) from said second position to said intermediate position is substantiallz prevented; wherein said second portion (68) is biased towards said second configuration; and an actuation member (63) which is contactable with said engagement member (64) so as to move said second portion (68) from said second configuration to said first configuration.