Tamper Resistant Gravity Latch for Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container latches that lock containers in an upright orientation may prematurely unlock when the container falls over on its side before being emptied, leading to unintended opening.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a manual release mechanism and a hasp assembly that engages a staple, which only releases the lid when manually activated or when the container is tilted forward beyond a threshold angle and speed, while retaining the staple in other orientations to prevent premature unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the latch is designed to unlock when the container is in an upside-down position, then the container can be easily emptied, but the latch may prematurely unlock when the container falls over on its side
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism uses directionally selective triggers that respond only to gravity vectors corresponding to forward tilting beyond a threshold angle, not to sideways falling. The trigger geometry is locally optimized to distinguish between legitimate emptying motion and accidental side-falling, allowing the latch to remain engaged during side-falling while disengaging during proper emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch incorporates a threshold angle parameter that must be exceeded for unlocking to occur. This parameter change approach allows the system to differentiate between normal emptying tilts (which exceed the threshold) and side-falling (which may not reach the threshold or occur in the wrong direction), thereby maintaining security while enabling easy emptying.
2Extent of automation
If the latch uses a simple gravity-based release mechanism, then the container can be automatically emptied, but the latch cannot distinguish between forward tilting for emptying and sideways falling
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism employs asymmetric trigger geometry that is sensitive only to tilting in the forward emptying direction. The trigger is positioned and shaped so that gravity-induced movement in the forward direction beyond a threshold angle causes disengagement, while sideways movement does not activate the release mechanism. This asymmetric design enables automatic emptying while reliably distinguishing between proper emptying orientation and side-falling.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch uses a dynamic threshold mechanism where the release condition depends on the rate and direction of tilting. The trigger is designed to respond only when the container is tilted forward beyond a specific angle threshold, creating a dynamic response that distinguishes between controlled emptying motion and uncontrolled side-falling, thereby maintaining both automation and reliability.
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 container remains secured until manual release or during the collection process, and requires resetting to the upright orientation for the lid to open, preventing accidental opening due to side or backward tilting.
Implementation Method 1
the kinetic element is free to move about the chamber in response to changes in orientation of the chamber due to changes in orientation of the hasp assembly
Implementation Method 2
the biasing element is disposed at an end of the release passage opposite the kinetic element and is biased from an initial position in which the biasing element engages the release element to a released position in which the biasing element does not engage the release element
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, having: a staple (404); and a hasp assembly (200) including: a chamber (412) including a home position (430) and a release passage (414); and a release element (328) disposed in the release passage. Forward rotation of the hasp assembly from an upright orientation (208) about a first horizontal axis (220) allows the kinetic element to move under the influence of gravity from the home position into the release passage and into contact with the release element, thereby releasing the staple.