Utility Box Secondary Latch Prevents Accidental Spillage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility boxes with hinged lids often accidentally lift without being latched, leading to unintended spillage of contents, which can cause personal injury or property loss due to the requirement of user action for engaging draw-down type latches.
Innovation Solution
A utility box design incorporating a primary latch and a secondary, flexible latch that automatically engages when the lid is closed, requiring manual disengagement to lift the lid, ensuring the lid remains closed even if the primary latch is unlatched.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a draw-down type latch is used to secure the lid, then the latch can effectively hold the lid closed, but the latch requires user action to engage which may result in accidental lifting and spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary latch automatically engages when the lid is closed, performing the latching action in advance without requiring user intervention. This preliminary action ensures the box is secured before the user completes the closing motion, preventing accidental lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary latch is designed to automatically engage and secure the lid without user assistance. The resilient member and catch work together to self-latch the box, eliminating the need for manual engagement and reducing the risk of human error.
2Device complexity
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the box may accidentally open during lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system is divided into two independent components: a primary draw-down latch for user-controlled securing and a secondary automatic latch for passive safety. This segmentation allows each latch to perform its specific function without increasing overall system complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to actively engage a latch to prevent opening, the secondary latch is designed to automatically engage and require active user action (manual disengagement) to open. This inversion of the control logic provides passive safety while maintaining simplicity.
3Reliability
If a secondary automatic latch is added to prevent accidental lifting, then the reliability of lid closure is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary automatic latch functionality is extracted as a separate, simple mechanism with distinct components (resilient member and catch) that operates independently from the primary latch. This extraction allows the safety function to be added without complicating the primary user-controlled latching mechanism.
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
Prevents accidental upset and spillage of contents by maintaining the lid in a closed position during lifting, enhancing safety and security of stored items.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member structured and arranged for mounting on either the base or the lid of the utility box
Data Source
AI summary
A utility box with a primary latch and secondary latch for preventing accidental upset of a utility box is disclosed. The secondary latch may be a flexible type latch that automatically catches when the lid is closed. The secondary latch requires that a person disengage on the latch before opening the lid.