Child-Resistant Storage Box Leaf Spring Locking Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant storage boxes often have complex mechanisms that can be difficult for both children and adults to open, and may not effectively prevent accidental openings, failing to meet safety standards.
Innovation Solution
A storage box design featuring a hinged lid with a locking assembly that includes a biasing member, latching member, and button, where the biasing member is a leaf spring with a spring force exceeding the maximum force a child can apply, ensuring the lid can only be opened by an adult meeting the US CPSC CFR 1700.20 standard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism with opposed side latches is used, then child resistance is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: a biasing member (spring) that provides the locking force, a latching member that engages with the lid, and a button that releases the latch. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, avoiding the need for complex interconnected mechanisms while maintaining child-resistant functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential child-resistant function from complex multi-latch systems and implements it through a single centralized locking assembly. By taking out only the necessary elements (biasing member, latching member, button) and removing unnecessary complexity, the design achieves child resistance with a simpler mechanism that is easier to operate.
2Reliability
If opposed side latches with wide spacing are used, then child resistance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for both children and adults
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the locking function into a single centralized location rather than distributing latches across opposite sides. The combined locking assembly with its button release mechanism provides a concentrated operational point that is easily accessible and requires minimal finger strength, improving ease of operation while maintaining child resistance through the spring-loaded latch design.
3Ease of operation
If a simple hinged lid is used, then ease of operation is improved, but child resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member (spring) is pre-loaded to automatically engage the latching member with the lid, creating a preliminary locked state before any opening attempt. This preliminary action ensures the lid remains securely closed against child attempts while the button release mechanism provides a simple, pre-positioned means for adults to easily open the lid when needed.
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 design provides a robust, economical, and non-complex child-resistant storage box that meets safety standards by ensuring the lid can only be opened by an adult, preventing accidental openings while being easy to assemble and use.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing member is a leaf spring with a spring force which is more than to a maximum force that can be applied by a child and meets the US 16 CPSC CFR 1700.20
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a storage box (100) for storing an article, the storage box (100) having a locking assembly arranged on a portion of the body (100b) to facilitate an open position and closed position of the storage box (100). The locking assembly includes a biasing member (110), a latching member (120) and a button (130). The biasing member (110) is attachable to a side or front portion of the body (100b). The latching member (120) arranged on a portion of the biasing member (110). The latching member (120) is adapted to engage with an engaging portion of the lid (100a). The button (130) operably configured on the biasing member (110) such that upon pressing the button (130), the biasing member (110) biases and enable the latching member (120) to disengage with the engaging portion of the lid (100a) thereby opening the storage box (100).