Thermal Box Bi-Directional Opening Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal boxes can only be opened on one side, making them inconvenient for users, especially when transporting hot takeaway food over distances, which can compromise food temperature and quality.
Innovation Solution
A thermal box design featuring snap fastening members and seats on both sides, with rotating shafts and self-locking hooking assemblies, allowing for bi-directional opening and secure closure, facilitating easy operation and maintaining food temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple buckling means are used to fasten the box cover and box body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the box can only be opened at one side
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into multiple independent components: snap fastening members, snap fastening seats, rotating shafts, and self-locking hooking assemblies. These segmented components work together to enable bidirectional opening while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device incorporates dynamic elements including rotating shafts that allow the box cover to rotate and open from either side, and self-locking hooking assemblies that automatically lock when closed. This dynamic design enables bidirectional operation without proportionally increasing complexity
2Reliability
If the box cover and box body are fastened with simple buckling means, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the reliability of food temperature maintenance deteriorates during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The self-locking hooking assemblies are pre-configured to automatically engage and lock the box cover to the box body when closed. This preliminary action ensures secure fastening before transportation begins, maintaining food temperature reliability without requiring high manufacturing precision during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The snap fastening members and seats incorporate curved and rounded geometries that allow for tolerance compensation. The curved surfaces enable reliable engagement even with moderate manufacturing variations, ensuring secure closure for temperature maintenance during transport
3Ease of operation
If locking devices are provided on both front and rear sides, then the ease of operation is improved by enabling bidirectional opening, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device design is universal and can be implemented on both front and rear sides of the box using identical components. This multi-functional approach enables bidirectional opening capability while avoiding the need for different locking mechanisms, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated locking device structure that includes snap fastening members, rotating shafts, and self-locking hooking assemblies. This merging allows bidirectional operation with a unified design rather than separate locking mechanisms for each side
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a thermal box comprising a body; the body comprises a box body, a box cover and locking devices provided on a front side and a rear side of the body respectively; the snap fastening seat is fixed on the box body; two extended lugs are provided on the box cover; the snap fastening seat is provided with a pivot seat between the two extended lugs; two mounting lugs are provided on a top side of the snap fastening member; the two extended lugs are positioned between the two mounting lugs and interconnected thereto via a rotating shaft to rotate inwards and outwards; a fastening structure which fastens by pressing inwards and unfastens by pulling outwards is provided on the inner side of the snap fastening member and the snap fastening seat.