Sliding type children's drawer lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drawer locks for children are inconvenient and unsafe as they require a large gap opening, allowing curious babies to see and reach objects inside, leading to potential injury and reduced protection efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A sliding type children's drawer lock with a pick sliding unlocking device that unlocks without exposing the drawer gap, using a lock catch and lock body with a connecting block, spring, and pick mechanism to minimize exposure and prevent finger entry, ensuring safe and concealed operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional drawer locks are used that require opening the drawer to expose the internal gap, then the locking mechanism can be activated, but the drawer gap becomes large enough for children to see and reach objects inside, reducing protection effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidchildren accessing dangerous objects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lock body is divided into separate functional components: a lock catch fixed to the drawer cabinet, a lock body that moves with the drawer, and a connecting block with pick slots. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to operate independently from drawer opening distance, enabling reliable locking without requiring the drawer to be opened enough to expose internal gaps to children

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pick insertion mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user and the locking mechanism. The pick slots allow adults to unlock the drawer by inserting picks through the drawer panel, enabling lock activation without opening the drawer enough for children to access dangerous objects inside

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If special children's locks are used that require extending fingers into the drawer gap to press the switch, then the drawer can be unlocked, but children can easily reach in and cause pinch injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunlocking convenienceVSAvoidpinch injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring users to reach into the drawer gap to activate the lock (which creates pinch hazards), the mechanism is inverted so that picks are inserted through the drawer panel from the outside. This reverses the interaction direction, allowing adults to unlock the drawer safely without exposing fingers to pinch points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The pick slots are extracted as separate access points through the drawer panel, allowing the unlocking function to be performed externally without requiring access to the internal drawer space. This extracts the hazardous finger-extension action from the system while preserving the unlocking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If metal locks with keys are used, then the drawer can be secured, but key management becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer securityVSAvoidkey management convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional key-based mechanical locking system is replaced with a pick-slot mechanism. Instead of using keys that must be carried and inserted into keyholes, the system uses picks that are inserted through slots in the drawer panel, eliminating the need for separate key management while maintaining secure locking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pick slots serve multiple functions: they provide access for unlocking the drawer, they serve as the activation mechanism itself, and they eliminate the need for separate key components. This multi-functionality consolidates the locking and unlocking operations into a single integrated system that is both secure and convenient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides enhanced safety and effectiveness by allowing unlocking with minimal gap exposure, making it difficult for children to open while remaining convenient for adults, thus improving safety and appearance without damaging the furniture.

Implementation Method 1

a spring is arranged in the chamber, one end of the spring is against the inner wall of the chamber and the other end of the spring is against the end surface of the inserting plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11712112B2Sliding type children's drawer lock

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 NINGBO FABE CHILD SAFETY CO LTD

AI summary

A sliding type children's drawer lock comprises a lock match arranged on the inner side of the drawer cabinet and located at the opening of the drawer cabinet, and a lock body that is arranged on the inner end surface of the drawer and can cooperatively lock with the lock catch. The lock body comprises a base arranged on the inner end surface of the drawer, a connecting block is arranged in the base, a lock hook matched with the latch is arranged at the end of the connecting block, an inserting plate is located in a chamber and inserted into a jack, a spring is arranged in the chamber, and the connecting block is driven to slide in a chute through a pick. After locking the latch cooperate to lock, the maximum length that the drawer opens is just enough to expose one end of the pick away from slots.