Passenger door lock for a pull-down door on an aircraft

Abstract

The present invention relates to passenger door locks for pull-down doors on aircraft, and more particularly to devices, systems, and methods for selectively locking and unlocking a passenger door. The device includes a first shaft (110) having a first longitudinal centerline (111) and a member (120) connected to the first shaft. A handle (130) is connected to the first shaft via the member, the handle movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft. A first protrusion (140, 140A) extends from the handle, and a latch crank (160) is connected to a second shaft (150). A second protrusion (170, 170A) extends from the latch crank, and a link (180) is connected between the latch crank and the member. When the handle is in the locked position, the first protrusion is positioned proximate the second protrusion to prevent rotation of the second shaft. When the handle is in the unlocked position, the first protrusion is positioned distal from the second protrusion to enable rotation of the second shaft.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Examples described herein relate to devices, systems, and methods for selectively locking and unlocking a door, and more particularly, a passenger door. BACKGROUND

[0002] Doors often include mechanisms for opening and closing the door and can also include mechanisms for locking the door. In some cases, the same mechanism can be used to operate the door and selectively lock the door. In some applications, such as passenger doors for aircraft, space for the mechanisms to open and close the door and selectively lock and unlock the door can be limited. It can be very important to ensure that the door is locked when closed in some applications, such as passenger doors in aircraft. Current aircraft passenger door locking devices are complex. One current aircraft passenger door locking device includes a separate locking pawl that engages with a sector on a latch shaft to prevent rotation of the latch shaft before being unlocked. The locking pawl includes a single shear pin joint and can apply an out-of-plane load to the door structural beam. Operation of the locking pawl can include an inefficient load path. Other disadvantages can exist. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for selectively locking and unlocking a passenger door.

[0004] A door lock device is disclosed herein. The door lock device includes a first shaft having a first longitudinal centerline and a member connected to the first shaft. The door lock device includes a handle connected to the first shaft via the member, wherein the handle is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft. The door lock device includes a first cam extending from the handle and a second shaft having a second longitudinal centerline. The door lock device includes a latch crank connected to the second shaft. The door lock device includes a second cam extending from the latch crank and a link connected between the latch crank and the member. When the handle is in the locked position, the first cam is positioned adjacent to the second cam to prevent rotation of the second shaft. When the handle is in the unlocked position, the first cam is positioned away from the second cam to enable rotation of the second shaft.

[0005] The latch crank pivots about the second longitudinal centerline as the latch crank moves between a closed position and an open position, and the handle pivots about the first longitudinal centerline as the handle moves between the locked position and the unlocked position. The handle pivots in a first direction about the first longitudinal centerline as the handle moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. The handle pivots in a second direction opposite the first direction about the first longitudinal centerline as the handle moves from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0006] The movement of the handle from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the latch crank to pivot in the second direction about the second longitudinal centerline. The movement of the handle from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the latch crank to reach the closed position before the handle reaches the locked position. The latch crank is in the closed position when the first cam rotates past the second cam.

[0007] A system for locking a door is also disclosed. The system includes a first shaft having a first longitudinal centerline and a member connected to the first shaft. The system includes a handle connected to the first shaft via the member, wherein the handle is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft. The system includes a first protrusion extending from the handle and a second shaft having a second longitudinal centerline. The system includes a latch crank connected to the second shaft and a second protrusion extending from the latch crank. The system includes a link connected between the latch crank and the member and a door connected to the link. The first protrusion is positioned adjacent to the second protrusion when the handle is in the locked position to prevent rotation of the second shaft. The first protrusion is positioned away from the second protrusion when the handle is in the unlocked position to enable rotation of the second shaft.

[0008] The door is a passenger door of an aircraft. Movement of the link and the latch crank opens the door. The handle in the locked position prevents movement of the link and the latch crank. The latch crank pivots about the second longitudinal centerline when the latch crank moves between the closed position and the open position and the handle pivots about the first longitudinal centerline when the handle moves between the locked position and the unlocked position. The handle pivots in a first direction about the first longitudinal centerline when the handle moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. The handle pivots in a second direction about the first longitudinal centerline when the handle moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the second direction being opposite the first direction. The movement of the handle from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the latch crank to pivot in the first direction about the second longitudinal centerline after the movement of the handle has caused the first protrusion to move substantially past the second protrusion. The movement of the handle from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the latch crank to pivot in the second direction about the second longitudinal centerline.

[0009] Also disclosed herein is a method for selectively locking and unlocking a door. The method includes coupling a handle to a first shaft via a member, the handle rotatable about a first longitudinal centerline of the first shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position. The method includes coupling a latch crank to a second shaft, the latch crank rotatable about a second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft. The method includes coupling a link between the latch crank and the member. The method includes coupling the link to the door, wherein movement of the link opens and closes the door. The method includes preventing the latch crank from rotating about the second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft when the handle is in the locked position.

[0010] The method includes positioning a first protrusion on the handle adjacent a second protrusion on the latch crank when the handle is in the locked position. The handle is configured to move the first protrusion away from the second protrusion when the handle is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position. The latch crank is configured to rotate about the second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft from a closed position to an open position after the first protrusion is moved away from the second protrusion. Rotation of the latch crank from the closed position to the open position moves the link to open the door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figures 1A-1F is a schematic view of an example of a door lock device.

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an example of a door lock device.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic view of an example system for selectively locking, unlocking, and opening a door.

[0014] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example of a method for selectively locking and unlocking a door.

[0015] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the application is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the application as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Figures 1A-1F is a schematic view of a door lock device 100. The door lock device 100 includes a first shaft 110 having a first longitudinal centerline 111 and a member 120 connected to the first shaft 110. The door lock device 100 includes a handle 130 connected to the first shaft 110 via the member 120, wherein the handle 130 is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft 110. Figure 1AThe handle 130 is shown in the locked position, and Figure 1D The handle is shown in the unlocked position. Figure 1B and Figure 1C The handle 130 is shown in a different position between the locked position of Figure 1A and the unlocked position of Figure 1D . Figure 1E and Figure 1F The handle 130 is shown moving past the unlocked position of Figure 1D via rotation of the first shaft 110.

[0017] The door latch device 100 includes a first cam or protrusion 140 extending from the handle 130 and a second shaft 150 having a second longitudinal centerline 151. The door latch device 100 includes a latch crank 160 connected to the second shaft 150. The door latch device 100 includes a second cam or protrusion 170 extending from the latch crank 160 and a link 180 connected between the latch crank 160 and the member 120. When the handle 130 is in the locked position shown in Figure 1A , the first cam 140 is positioned adjacent to the second cam 170 to prevent rotation of the second shaft 150. When the handle 130 is in the unlocked position shown in Figure 1D , the first cam 140 is positioned away from the second cam 170 to enable rotation of the second shaft 150.

[0018] The latch crank 160 pivots about the second longitudinal centerline 151 as the latch crank 160 moves between the closed position shown in Figure 1A and the open position shown in Figure 1F . The handle 130 pivots about the first longitudinal centerline 111 as the handle 130 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position. The handle 130 pivots in a first direction about the first longitudinal centerline 111 as the handle 130 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, as indicated by arrow 131. The handle 130 pivots in a second direction opposite the first direction 131 about the first longitudinal centerline 111 as the handle 130 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, as indicated by arrow 132.

[0019] The handle 130 is shown in a different position between the locked position of Figures 1D-1F(As shown) Subsequently, the movement of handle 130 causes latch crank 160 to pivot about second longitudinal centerline 151 in a first direction indicated by arrow 161. After the movement of handle 130 has moved first cam 140 substantially away from second cam 170, the movement of handle 130 from the unlocked position to the locked position causes link 180 to move due to the pivoting of latch crank 160 about second longitudinal centerline 151. Link 180 is connected to a door, and the movement of link 180 is configured to open and close the door. In one or more examples, the door is a passenger door on an aircraft.

[0020] The movement of handle 130 from the unlocked position to the locked position causes latch crank 160 to pivot about the second longitudinal centerline 151 in the second direction indicated by arrow 162. As handle 130 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, latch crank 160 pivots as handle 130 reaches... Figure 1C The locked position is reached before the closed position is shown. At the first cam 140, as... Figures 1A-1C As shown, when the rotation passes through the second cam 170, the latch crank 160 is in the closed position. The handle 130 from... Figure 1F The position shown is towards Figure 1C The movement of the indicated position causes link 180 to move due to the pivoting of latch crank 160 in the second direction. The movement of link 180 causes the door attached to link 180 to close. Handle 130 continues to move in the second direction from... Figure 1C The position shown is towards Figure 1A The locking position is moved to position the first cam 140 adjacent to the second cam 170. In the locked position, the first cam 140 prevents the latch crank 160, which is connected to the second cam 170, from rotating about the second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150.

[0021] As will be understood by those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure, the shape, size, construction, and / or position of the first protrusion or first cam 140 and the second protrusion or second cam 170 may vary depending on the application. For example, Figure 2 The door lock device 100 is shown to include a first shaft 110 having a first longitudinal centerline 111 and a member 120 connected to the first shaft 110. The door lock device 100 includes a handle 130 connected to the first shaft 110 via the member 120, wherein the handle 130 is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotation of the first shaft 110.

[0022] The door lock device 100 includes a first protrusion 140A extending from the handle 130 and a second shaft 150 having a second longitudinal centerline 151. The door lock device 100 includes a latch crank 160 coupled to the second shaft 150. The door lock device 100 includes a second protrusion 170A extending from the latch crank 160 and a link 180 coupled between the latch crank 160 and the member 120. When the handle 130 is in the locked position as shown, the first protrusion 140A is positioned adjacent to the second protrusion 170A to prevent rotation of the second shaft 150. As with the door lock device as shown, when the handle 130 is moved to the unlocked position, the first protrusion 140A is positioned away from the second protrusion 170A to enable rotation of the second shaft 150. Rotation of the second shaft 150 enables a door attached to the door lock device 100 disclosed herein to be opened. Figure 2 As with the door lock device as shown, when the handle 130 is moved to the unlocked position, the first protrusion 140A is positioned away from the second protrusion 170A to enable rotation of the second shaft 150. Rotation of the second shaft 150 enables a door attached to the door lock device 100 disclosed herein to be opened. Figures 1A-1F As with the door lock device as shown, when the handle 130 is moved to the unlocked position, the first protrusion 140A is positioned away from the second protrusion 170A to enable rotation of the second shaft 150. Rotation of the second shaft 150 enables a door attached to the door lock device 100 disclosed herein to be opened.

[0023] Figure 3 A system 400 is shown that includes the door lock device 100 coupled to a door 200. The door 200 is a passenger door of an aircraft positioned within a fuselage 300 of the aircraft. The link 180 of the door lock device 100 is coupled to the door 200. With the handle 130 in the locked position, the first protrusion 140 prevents rotation of the latch crank 160 because it is positioned adjacent to the second protrusion 170 as discussed herein. The handle 130 is rotated to move the first protrusion 140 relative to the second protrusion 170 as discussed herein. Once the first protrusion 140 has moved away from the second protrusion 170, continued movement of the handle 130 causes the second shaft 150 to rotate, thereby moving the link 180 to open the door 200.

[0024] Figure 4 A flowchart of an example method 500 for selectively locking and unlocking a door is shown. The method 500 includes, at 510, coupling a handle to a first shaft via a member, the handle rotatable about a first longitudinal centerline of the first shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position. For example, the handle 130 is coupled to the first shaft 110 via the member 120. The handle 130 is moved between the locked position and the unlocked position by rotation of the first shaft 110. The method 500 includes, at 520, coupling a latch crank to a second shaft, the latch crank rotatable about a second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft. In one or more examples, the latch crank 160 is coupled to the second shaft 150, the latch crank 160 rotatable about the second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150.

[0025] The method 500 includes, at 530, coupling a link between the latch crank and the member. In one or more examples, the link 180 is coupled between the latch crank 160 and the member 120. The method 500 includes, at 540, coupling the link to a door, wherein movement of the link opens and closes the door. The door can be, but is not limited to, a passenger door of an aircraft. The method 500 includes, at 550, preventing rotation of the latch crank about a second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft when the handle is in the locked position. In one or more examples, the method 500 includes, at 560, positioning a first protrusion on the handle adjacent a second protrusion on the latch crank when the handle is in the locked position. In one or more examples, the first protrusion 140 on the handle 130 is positioned adjacent the second protrusion 170 on the latch crank 160 to prevent rotation of the latch crank 160 about the second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150.

[0026] Additional example for understanding the subject matter encompassed herein describe:

[0027] A door lock apparatus 100 comprising: a first shaft 110 having a first longitudinal centerline 111; a member 120 connected to the first shaft 110; a handle 130 connected to the first shaft 110 via the member 120, wherein the handle 130 is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft 110; a first cam 140, 140A extending from the handle 130; a second shaft 150 having a second longitudinal centerline 151; a latch crank 160 connected to the second shaft 150; a second cam 170, 170A extending from the latch crank 160; and a link 180 connected between the latch crank 160 and the member 120; wherein, when the handle 130 is in the locked position, the first cam 140, 140A is positioned adjacent the second cam 170, 170A to prevent rotation of the second shaft 150; and wherein, when the handle 130 is in the unlocked position, the first cam 140, 140A is positioned away from the second cam 170, 170A to enable rotation of the second shaft 150.

[0028] In the door lock apparatus 100 described in the preceding paragraph, the latch crank 160 pivots about the second longitudinal centerline 151 when the latch crank 160 moves between a closed position and an open position, and wherein the handle 130 pivots about the first longitudinal centerline 111 when the handle 130 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0029] In the door lock apparatus 100 described in the preceding paragraph, the handle 130 pivots in a first direction 131 about the first longitudinal centerline 111 when the handle 130 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0030] In the door lock apparatus 100 described in the preceding paragraph, the handle 130 is pivoted in a second direction 132 opposite the first direction 131 about the first longitudinal centerline 111 when the handle 130 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0031] In the door lock apparatus 100 described in the preceding paragraph, the movement of the handle 130 from the locked position to the unlocked position pivots the latch crank 160 in the first direction 161 about the second longitudinal centerline 151 after the movement of the handle 130 has moved the first cam 140, 140A substantially past the second cam 170, 170A.

[0032] In the door lock apparatus 100 described in the preceding paragraph, the movement of the handle 130 from the unlocked position to the locked position pivots the latch crank 160 in the second direction 162 about the second longitudinal centerline 151.

[0033] In the door lock apparatus 100 described in the preceding paragraph, the latch crank 160 reaches the closed position before the handle 130 reaches the locked position when the handle 130 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0034] In the door lock apparatus 100 described in the preceding paragraph, the latch crank 160 is in the closed position when the first cam 140, 140A is rotated past the second cam 170, 170A.

[0035] A system 400 for locking a door 200, comprising: a first shaft 110 having a first longitudinal centerline 111; a member 120 connected to the first shaft 110; a handle 130 connected to the first shaft 110 via the member 120, wherein the handle 130 is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft 110; a first protrusion 140, 140A extending from the handle 130; a second shaft 150 having a second longitudinal centerline 151; a latch crank 160 connected to the second shaft 150; a second protrusion 170, 170A extending from the latch crank 160; and a link 180 connected between the latch crank 160 and the member 120, wherein the door 200 is connected to the link 180; wherein the first protrusion 140, 140A is positioned adjacent to the second protrusion 170, 170A to prevent rotation of the second shaft 150 when the handle 130 is in the locked position; and wherein the first protrusion 140, 140A is positioned away from the second protrusion 170, 170A to enable rotation of the second shaft 150 when the handle 130 is in the unlocked position.

[0036] In the system 400 described in the preceding paragraph, the door 200 is a passenger door of an aircraft.

[0037] In the system 400 described in the preceding paragraph, movement of the link 180 and the latch crank 160 opens the door 200.

[0038] In the system 400 described in the preceding paragraph, the handle 130 in the locked position prevents movement of the link 180 and the latch crank 160.

[0039] In the system 400 described in the preceding paragraph, the latch crank 160 pivots about the second longitudinal centerline 151 when the latch crank 160 moves between the closed position and the open position, and wherein the handle 130 pivots about the first longitudinal centerline 111 when the handle 130 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0040] In the system 400 described in the preceding paragraph, the handle 130 pivots in a first direction 131 about the first longitudinal centerline 111 when the handle 130 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, and wherein the handle 130 pivots in a second direction 132 opposite the first direction 131 about the first longitudinal centerline 111 when the handle 130 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0041] In the system 400 described in the preceding paragraph, the movement of the handle 130 after the movement of the first protrusion 140, 140A substantially past the second protrusion 170, 170A causes the latch crank 160 to pivot in a first direction 161 about the second longitudinal centerline 151, and wherein movement of the handle 130 from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the latch crank 160 to pivot in a second direction 162 about the second longitudinal centerline 151.

[0042] A method 500 for selectively locking and unlocking a door 200, the method comprising the steps of: coupling a handle 130 to a first shaft 110 via a member 120, the handle 130 rotatable about a first longitudinal centerline 111 of the first shaft 110 between a locked position and an unlocked position; coupling a latch crank 160 to a second shaft 150, the latch crank 160 rotatable about a second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft; coupling a link 180 between the latch crank 160 and the member 120; coupling the link 180 to the door 200, wherein movement of the link 180 opens and closes the door 500; and preventing rotation of the latch crank 160 about the second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150 when the handle 130 is in the locked position.

[0043] In the method 500 described in the preceding paragraph, the step of preventing rotation of the latch crank 160 further comprises positioning a first protrusion 140, 140A on the handle 130 adjacent a second protrusion 170, 170A on the latch crank 160 when the handle 130 is in the locked position.

[0044] In the method 500 described in the preceding paragraph, the handle 130 is configured to move the first protrusion 140, 140A away from the second protrusion 170, 170A as the handle 130 is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0045] In the method 500 described in the preceding paragraph, the latching crank 160 is configured to rotate about the second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150 from the closed position to the open position after the first protrusion 140, 140A is moved away from the second protrusion 170, 170A.

[0046] In the method 500 described in the preceding paragraph, the rotation of the latching crank 160 from the closed position to the open position moves the link 180 to open the door 200.

[0047] While the present disclosure has been described with respect to certain examples, the scope of the present disclosure is only limited by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A door lock device (100), the door lock device comprising: A first axis (110) has a first longitudinal centerline (111). Component (120), which is connected to the first shaft (110); A handle (130) is connected to the first shaft (110) via the member (120), wherein the handle (130) is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotation of the first shaft (110); A first cam extends from the handle (130); The second axis (150) has a second longitudinal centerline (151). A latching crank (160) is connected to the second shaft (150); A second cam, extending from the latch crank (160); and Linkage (180), which connects between the latch crank (160) and the member (120) and is connected to the door, When the handle (130) is in the locked position, the first cam is positioned adjacent to the second cam to prevent the second shaft (150) from rotating; When the handle (130) is in the unlocked position, the first cam is positioned away from the second cam so that the second shaft (150) can rotate; Wherein, as the latch crank (160) moves between the closed and open positions, the latch crank pivots about the second longitudinal centerline (151), and wherein, as the handle (130) moves between the locked and unlocked positions, the handle pivots about the first longitudinal centerline (111); and Wherein, when the handle (130) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the latch crank (160) reaches the closed position before the handle (130) reaches the locked position.

2. The door lock device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, When the handle (130) moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the handle (130) pivots about the first longitudinal centerline (111) in a first direction.

3. The door lock device (100) according to claim 2, wherein, When the handle (130) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the handle (130) pivots about the first longitudinal centerline (111) in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

4. The door lock device (100) according to claim 3, wherein, After the movement of the handle (130) from the locked position to the unlocked position has caused the first cam to move past the second cam, the movement of the handle (130) causes the latch crank (160) to pivot about the second longitudinal centerline (151) in the first direction.

5. The door lock device (100) according to claim 4, wherein, The movement of the handle (130) from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the latch crank (160) to pivot about the second longitudinal centerline (151) in the second direction.

6. The door lock device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The latch crank (160) is in the closed position as the first cam rotates past the second cam.

7. A method (500) for selectively locking and unlocking a door (200), the method comprising the steps of: The handle (130) is connected to the first shaft (110) via a component (120), and the handle (130) is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position about a first longitudinal centerline (111) of the first shaft (110); A latch crank (160) is connected to a second shaft (150), which is rotatable about a second longitudinal centerline (151) of the second shaft as it moves between a closed position and an open position. Connecting the connecting rod (180) between the latch crank (160) and the member (120); The link (180) is connected to the door (200), wherein movement of the link (180) can open and close the door (200). When the handle (130) is in the locked position, it prevents the latch crank (160) from rotating about the second longitudinal centerline (151) of the second shaft (150); and Wherein, when the handle (130) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the latch crank (160) reaches the closed position before the handle (130) reaches the locked position.

8. The method (500) according to claim 7, wherein, The step of preventing the latch crank (160) from rotating further includes positioning a first protrusion on the handle (130) adjacent to a second protrusion on the latch crank (160) when the handle (130) is in the locked position.

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