With plain bearing cleaning agent safely locked in child safety device

Called EMKindersicherung, the safety device allows personalised access to household chemicals via a smartphone app. It is 3D printed for the most part and consists of a housing that is placed over the lid of the cleaning agent bottle and engages with the cover plate under the plastic ring of the bottle. Using a lever the cover plate can be moved manually and the device can be secured. The closing mechanism consists of an electro-thermal actuator. Its current feed heats and deforms so that the safety device opens and can be removed from the bottle. The actuator is attached to a pin. By turning the lever, the pin mounted with an iglidur plain bearing engages and prevents an unauthorised opening.

“We approached the young engineers support from igus with our project because we were looking for a bearing that has a low coefficient of friction and that is resistant to acids and alcohol,” explained Ida Blum from the development team of the EMKindersicherung. “In addition, the bearing must withstand the actuator’s temperature, which can reach up to 125 degC. That's why we chose iglidur A350.” The plain bearing material is UV-resistant and also suitable for use in medical technology, as well as in the food and packaging industry.

Innovative projects such as EMKindersicherung are supported by igus as part of the YES programme. The initiative supports young pupils, students and inventors across the world in the development and execution of their technical projects.