Self-Closing Gate Assembly with Segmented Hinge Ramps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Child safety barriers often remain accidentally open, allowing children or animals to pass through unsupervised due to lack of effective automatic closure mechanisms that prevent accidental trapping.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing gate assembly with an automatic closure mechanism featuring inclined surfaces and resilient biasing means, allowing the gate to move from an open to a closed position without user intervention, while preventing small children or animals from trapping body parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an automatic closure mechanism is provided for the gate, then the gate automatically closes to prevent unsupervised passage, but there is a risk that small children or animals may accidentally trap body parts in the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is divided into two separate hinges (first hinge at top, second hinge at bottom) that can be independently adjusted. Each hinge has its own ramp structure, allowing the gate to close through a two-stage process that reduces the risk of pinching while maintaining automatic closure functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp structures on both hinges are pre-configured to guide the gate's closing motion. The first hinge's ramp initiates the closing action, and the second hinge's ramp completes it, ensuring the gate follows a predetermined safe path that prevents body part trapping before the gate fully closes.
Solution Approach 3:
The hinge mechanisms incorporate adjustable ramp structures that can be modified to change the closing characteristics. This dynamic adjustability allows the closure speed and pressure to be optimized for safety, preventing accidental trapping while ensuring reliable automatic closure.
2Extent of automation
If resilient biasing means are used to provide automatic closure, then the gate closes automatically without user intervention, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient biasing means are integrated directly into the hinge structures rather than being separate components. The first hinge includes first resilient biasing means, and the second hinge includes second resilient biasing means, merging the closure function with the hinge mechanism to reduce overall system complexity while maintaining automatic closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinges serve multiple functions: they provide the mechanical connection between gate and frame, incorporate the ramp guidance system, and include resilient biasing means for automatic closure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving automatic closure.
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
Ensures the gate is always closed, preventing unsupervised passage and ensuring correct latching for safety, even when a young child or animal attempts to open it, thus enhancing child safety.
Implementation Method 1
The automatic closure mechanism includes first and second resilient biasing means, each associated with one of the hinges
Implementation Method 2
The automatic closure mechanism includes first and second resilient biasing means, each associated with one of the hinges
Implementation Method 3
an automatic closure mechanism is provided for moving the barrier means from the open position to the closed position without user intervention, characterised in that the automatic closure mechanism is associated with the hinge means and includes at least one ramp or inclined surface on which at least part of the gate travels when moving between the open and closed positions
Data Source
AI summary
A gate assembly including a frame for positioning in an opening through which selective entry is required. A barrier is mountable on the frame via a hinge and the barrier is movable relative to the frame between a closed position, wherein the opening is closed, to an open position, wherein the opening is open. An automatic closure mechanism is provided for moving the barrier from the open position to the closed position without user intervention. The automatic closure mechanism is associated with the hinge and includes at least two ramps or inclined surfaces on which at least part of the gate travels when moving between the open and closed positions.