Lockable Container Uniform Cylindrical Member Ring Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tamper-proof or child-resistant containers with programmable locking caps face difficulties due to ring indexing tolerance issues, where consumers with poor eyesight or dexterity struggle to align narrower rings, and manufacturing tolerances can lead to interference preventing cap removal, especially with tapered cylindrical members causing free play.
Innovation Solution
A lockable container design featuring a cylindrical member with a uniform diameter and annular flange to retain rings, eliminating tapering and ring indexing tolerance, with a method of pre-encoding a combination code by removing tabs on the rings to facilitate easier unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If narrower rings are used to increase security with more digits, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in aligning and seeing the indicia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different ring widths - wider rings for less significant digits and narrower rings for more significant digits. This allows each ring to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system security and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the problem by varying the width of rings along the axial dimension of the container. This dimensional variation allows wider rings to be positioned where they are most needed (for digits requiring better visibility and manipulation) while maintaining the security benefits of multiple rings.
2Ease of manufacture
If tapered cylindrical member is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but reliability deteriorates due to free play and indexing tolerance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the cylindrical member from tapered to uniform diameter. This parameter change eliminates the free play and indexing tolerance problems caused by tapering, thereby improving the reliability of the ring alignment mechanism.
3Reliability
If more rings are added to increase combination code length, then security is improved, but device complexity increases making alignment more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the combination lock into multiple independent rings, each handling a specific digit or set of digits. This segmentation allows the complex task of multi-digit combination input to be broken down into simpler, independent ring rotations, reducing the perceived complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
By varying ring widths along the axial dimension, the patent creates a more intuitive interface for multi-digit combinations. The dimensional variation provides visual and tactile cues that help users track their progress through the combination sequence, making the complex alignment process more manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A lockable container for securing items or objects, the container including a first element, which may include a cylindrical member and a retainer for capturing two or more rotatable rings on the cylindrical member, and a second element, which is mateable with the first element, cooperating with the rings to close an open end of the cylindrical member of the first element.