Reversible Lockable Lid With Symmetric Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversible lids with locks often malfunction due to asymmetrical designs, leading to either permanent locking or unlocking issues when placed in incorrect orientations, which can prevent secure closure or accidental opening.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a reversible lid mechanism with a specific active actuator and passive actuator pair, symmetrically located 180 degrees apart, allowing the lock to function regardless of orientation through a mechanism where the actuator roles switch based on lid placement, ensuring secure closure and easy opening with precise finger placement guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an asymmetrical lock design is used to accommodate hand orientation, then the lock can be operated easily in one orientation, but it becomes dysfunctional when the lid is placed in the opposite orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in reverse - by creating a symmetrical lock mechanism with two actuators positioned at opposite sides, the system can adapt to different lid orientations. Each actuator is identical and can function as the active actuator depending on which side the lid is placed, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability to different orientations
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is designed with universal functionality where both actuators can serve as the active actuator. The system can operate in either orientation because both actuators have identical push-button mechanisms and can independently engage or disengage the locking tab, making the lock adaptable to different lid placements while maintaining ease of operation
2Device complexity
If a single active actuator is used in an asymmetrical position, then the lock structure is simplified, but the lid may be permanently locked or become impossible to unlock in certain orientations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single actuator, the patent implements two identical actuators at opposite sides, each capable of performing the locking and unlocking function locally. This distributed approach ensures that regardless of lid orientation, at least one actuator will be in the correct position to function, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with two actuators in positions that anticipate both possible lid orientations. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the locking mechanism is always ready to function correctly regardless of how the lid is placed, preventing permanent locking situations before they can occur
3Reliability
If the lock mechanism is designed for a specific orientation, then locking functionality is achieved, but lid misplacement prevents locking or rendering locking permanent
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism achieves universal functionality by incorporating two identical actuators that can both perform locking and unlocking operations. This design allows the system to maintain reliable locking function regardless of lid placement orientation, making the locking mechanism adaptable to different user actions without compromising ease of operation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A box with a sidewall structure, a reversible lid (400) with top and flanks, and a lock. At least a portion of the flanks covers at least a portion of the sidewall structure when the box is locked. The lock has an active actuator (230) moveable from a locking to an opening position by applying pressure. The active actuator is connected to the portion of the sidewall structure and abuts against a locking tab (240) of the lid when in the locking position. The flanks comprise an actuation area (280) to displace the active actuator by applying the pressure. The box comprises a passive actuator (231) paired to the active actuator. The paired actuators are 180 degrees from each other around the central axis. The passive actuator is inactivated by an inactivation configuration of the lid located at 180 degrees from the locking tab around the central axis.