Magnetic Safety Gate Latch for Child-Resistant Keyless Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gate latches for fences, particularly around swimming pools, are easily accessible and operable by children, posing a safety risk, and often require keys for operation, which may not be convenient for adults.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic safety gate latch assembly with a magnetically-operated mechanism that uses a ferromagnetic latch pin and a magnet housing, where the latch is locked by magnetic attraction and unlocked by rotating the magnet housing, making it difficult for children to operate while allowing easy access for adults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional latch or doorknob is used on a pool gate, then the gate can be easily operated, but it becomes accessible and operable by small children, posing a safety risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical latch or doorknob system with a magnetic operating system. A magnet is positioned inside the pool gate, and a ferromagnetic material is embedded in the ground or deck surface. Adults operate the gate by moving the ferromagnetic material near the magnet, which actuates the latch mechanism through magnetic attraction. This substitution eliminates exposed mechanical components that children could easily manipulate, while maintaining ease of operation for adults who can deliberately position the ferromagnetic material to trigger the magnetic actuation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a key-operated latch is used on a pool gate, then child access is prevented, but adults must carry keys which is inconvenient for frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic operating system enables adults to operate the gate latch using a ferromagnetic material that is already present in the environment (such as a metal object carried in pockets or bags). The system self-adapts to objects that adults naturally carry, eliminating the need for dedicated keys. The ferromagnetic material serves multiple purposes: it is both a common personal item and the operating tool for the latch, providing convenience without compromising security against children who do not carry such materials.
3Ease of operation
If a magnetic latch system is used, then key operation is eliminated and convenience is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnetic components from the traditional latch housing and integrates them directly into the gate structure. The magnet is embedded within the gate body, and the ferromagnetic actuation material is placed in the ground or deck surface. This extraction simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex key mechanisms, locks, and housings, while maintaining the essential latching function through the magnetic field interaction between the embedded magnet and the ferromagnetic material.
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 magnetic safety gate latch provides secure and convenient operation, preventing unauthorized access by children and eliminating the need for keys, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic safety gate latch assembly with a magnetically-operated mechanism that uses a ferromagnetic latch pin and a magnet housing, where the latch is locked by magnetic attraction
Implementation Method 2
unlocked by rotating the magnet housing, making it difficult for children to operate while allowing easy access for adults
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic safety gate latch assembly and method of operation. The assembly includes: a pool latch tube, a user-actuated lid coupled to the top end of the pool latch tube; a rotatable shaft within the pool latch tube, an upper end of the shaft rigidly coupled to the lid, and a lower end of the shaft including a shaped base. The assembly further includes a magnet housing that at least partially encloses the shaped base and includes an aperture to cooperatively engage with the shaped base. The assembly further includes a bottom cover coupled to the lower end of the pool latch tube and enclosing the magnet housing, the bottom cover including an aperture facing a latch pin housing, the aperture positioned to expose a magnet. The assembly further includes a ferromagnetic latch pin and housing, and a magnetic latch pin guide slidably enclosing the latch pin.