Lever-Actuated Slider Locking Assembly for Portable Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable containers face challenges in achieving high resistance to shocks and hermetic sealing while minimizing cost, complexity, and space occupation, especially in larger sizes where structural deformation and cumbersome locking mechanisms become issues.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly with a lever-actuated slider system that slides between limit positions to securely lock and unlock the container, using a wedge mechanism for mutual locking and minimal protrusion, allowing for efficient space use and easy operation without excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamps are overdimensioned or multiplied to ensure hermetic seal and shock resistance, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a clamp body for locking, a lever for actuation, and a slider for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic elements (lever and slider) that transform the static clamp into an actively controllable mechanism. The lever provides mechanical advantage for easy operation, while the slider enables precise positioning, allowing the same component to achieve both reliability and simplicity.
2Reliability
If multiple clamps are arranged along protruding lips to ensure locking, then reliability is improved, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated clamp assembly. The clamp body incorporates both the locking engagement and the actuation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall space occupation while maintaining locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a linear arrangement of multiple clamps along the lip to a three-dimensional configuration where the lever and slider operate in perpendicular directions. This dimensional change allows compact packaging of the mechanism while preserving the locking function.
3Ease of operation
If levers and release buttons are added to enable easy actuation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lever serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuation handle and the positioning mechanism. By integrating the release button function into the lever assembly, the invention reduces the total number of components while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the lever-slier interaction. Once the lever is positioned, the slider automatically engages or disengages the locking mechanism without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
4Reliability
If clamp dimensions are increased to ensure locking force, then reliability is improved, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body incorporates curved engagement surfaces that concentrate locking force into localized contact points. This curvature allows the clamp to achieve high locking force with reduced overall dimensions, as the force is distributed through optimized contact geometry rather than requiring increased mass or size.
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 a compact, cost-effective, and reliable locking system that ensures high resistance to shocks and hermetic sealing with minimal space occupation, suitable for various container sizes, including larger ones, without requiring complex modifications.
Implementation Method 1
said slider being able to move between at least one first limit position, in which it is engaged with a respective abutment
Implementation Method 2
at least one lever for actuating at least one slider
Implementation Method 3
at least one lever for actuating at least one slider, which can be slideably coupled to a reference outer surface
Implementation Method 4
using a wedge mechanism for mutual locking
Data Source
AI summary
A locking assembly for portable containers includes at least one open shell that defines within it a compartment for accommodating objects. The shell is partially closed, in a first configuration, by at least one respective covering unit coupled to the shell and moves between two configurations for free access to the compartment. The locking assembly includes at least one lever for actuating a slider, which can be coupled to a reference outer surface of the shell or the unit. The slider moves between a first limit position, wherein it is engaged with a respective abutment coupled to the other one of the shell or the unit, arranged in the first configuration, for theft mutual locking, and second limit position, wherein the slider is distanced from the abutment to allow the transition of the covering unit between the configurations and free access to the compartment.