Modular Security Vault with Corner Venting and Child-Safe Latches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Walk-in vaults are expensive, difficult to transport due to size and weight, and pose safety risks; they are also unattractive and can be challenging for young children to exit if accidentally locked.
Innovation Solution
A modular security vault design using ¼ inch steel sheets with beveled corners and removable vent covers, customizable appearance options, and a door design with accessible latches and jack assemblies for easy transportation and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy metal plates or panels are used to construct the vault, then the security and strength of the vault is improved, but the cost and construction time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vault is divided into modular panels that can be assembled together. Each panel is a manageable unit that can be manufactured separately and then joined to form the complete vault structure, reducing construction complexity while maintaining overall strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with wooden frames and metal siding rather than solid metal plates. This composite approach provides adequate structural strength while significantly reducing weight and manufacturing difficulty compared to traditional all-metal construction
2Strength
If the vault is constructed with heavy materials to ensure security, then the security is improved, but the ease of transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vault is segmented into multiple panels that can be disassembled for transport. This allows the vault to be moved in manageable sections rather than as one heavy monolithic structure, while the panels can be reassembled to restore full security strength at the destination
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction using wood and metal provides a favorable strength-to-weight ratio, enabling the vault to be strong enough for security purposes while light enough to be transported with reasonable effort using equipment like pallet jacks and rollers
3Strength
If traditional door latches are used to maintain security, then the security is improved, but the accessibility for young children deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door system incorporates multiple latches at different heights and positions. The lower latches are positioned and designed to be accessible to children, while upper latches provide additional security that children cannot reach, creating localized quality differences in accessibility across the door
Data Source
AI summary
A security vault has a housing, a door assembly, and an exterior vent cover. The housing has a plurality of walls, a plurality of corners interconnecting the plurality of walls, and a roof connected to the plurality of walls and the plurality of corners. Each of the corners has a vent opening. The door assembly is secured to at least one of the plurality of walls to permit ingress to and egress from the shelter cavity of the housing. The exterior vent cover is formed by a corner shaped member detachably secured to the walls so as to be interchangeable with a different vent cover. The exterior vent cover conforms to the contour of the corner and cooperates with the vent opening to allow for ventilation to the shelter cavity.