Foldable Side Rail Locking Mechanism for Accidental Release Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable side rails for beds have issues with accidental disengagement of stopper pins and interference during stowage, leading to safety concerns and failure to maintain the stanchion members erect.
Innovation Solution
A holding mechanism with a mechanism support member, a spring-biased stopper pin, a release lever with a play mechanism, and a lock member that prevents accidental release, ensuring the stopper pin can be automatically fitted into the fitting hole even when the release prevention mechanism is set, and enhancing safety by containing the release lever within a pocket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the release action site is exposed downward from the bottom of the mechanism support member, then the release lever is accessible for operation, but accidental touch can cause dangerous disengagement of the stopper pin set
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever is nested within a recess formed in the mechanism support member, creating a protected configuration where the release action site is not directly exposed. This allows the release lever to remain operable while being shielded from accidental activation by external objects or unintended contact.
2Reliability
If the lock member is set at the release preventing position, then the stopper pin set remains securely fitted, but the release action site cannot be activated when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is designed as a movable component that can dynamically switch between a release preventing position (blocking the release lever) and a release allowing position (permitting lever movement). This dynamic configuration enables the system to transition between locked and unlocked states based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock member acts as an intermediary element between the release lever and the stopper pin set. It mediates the release action by selectively blocking or allowing the release lever's movement, thereby controlling whether the stopper pin set can be disengaged from the fitting hole.
3Reliability
If the stopper pin set is kept projected to interfere with the stanchion member, then accidental release is prevented, but automatic fitting into the fitting hole cannot occur during raising
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is positioned in advance to block the release lever's movement path before any accidental force can be applied. This preliminary blocking action prevents the release lever from moving, thereby keeping the stopper pin set engaged with the stanchion member and enabling automatic fitting during the raising operation.
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 mechanism ensures the stanchion members remain erect and can be safely raised or lowered without accidental disengagement, providing enhanced safety and reliability by preventing accidental release actions and ensuring automatic fitting of the stopper pin into the fitting hole.
Implementation Method 1
the stopper pin set is biased in the advancing direction by a spring
Data Source
AI summary
The conventional holding mechanism for foldable side rails have such problems that the release lever can be accidentally pressed for release action and that if a double lock is employed for preventing it, automatic holding action cannot be performed.This invention proposes a holding mechanism for foldable side rails, characterized in that the holding mechanism 4 is provided at an end of an upper horizontal rail member 1u and comprises a mechanism support member 5 connected with the stanchion member provided at said end; the mechanism support member 5 has a stopper pin set 12 capable of advancing and receding; the stopper pin set 12 is biased in the advancing direction by a spring 13; the stanchion member has a fitting hole 10 allowing the stopper pin set 12 to be fitted in it when the stanchion member is kept erect; the mechanism support member further has a release lever 6 engaged with a mechanically driven trigger site 15 provided in connection with the stopper pin set for making the stopper pin set recede against the force of the spring; a play mechanism is provided between the release lever and the mechanically driven trigger site; and the mechanism support member further has a release prevention mechanism for preventing the movement of the release lever in the release allowing direction.