Passenger door lock for an aircraft's drop-down door

Abstract

To provide apparatus, systems, and methods for selectively locking and unlocking a passenger door.SOLUTION: An apparatus includes a first shaft 110 and a member 120 connected to the first shaft. A handle 130 is connected to the first shaft via the member 120, the handle being movable via rotation of the first shaft from a locked position and an unlocked position. A first protrusion 140 extends from the handle and a latch crank 160 is connected to a second shaft 150. A second protrusion 170 extends from the latch crank and a linkage 180 is connected between the latch crank and the member 120. When the handle is in the locked position, the first protrusion is positioned adjacent to the second protrusion to prevent rotation of the second shaft. When the handle is in the unlocked position, the first protrusion is positioned away from the second protrusion to enable the second shaft to rotate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus, system, and method for selectively locking and unlocking a door, and more particularly, to a passenger door.

Background Art

[0002] A door typically includes a mechanism for opening and closing the door, and may further include a mechanism for locking the door. In some examples, the same mechanism may be used for both operating the door and selectively locking the door. In some applications, such as an aircraft passenger door, there may be limited space for mechanisms for opening and closing the door and selectively locking and unlocking the door. In some applications, such as an aircraft passenger door when closed, it can be very important to ensure that the door is locked. Current aircraft passenger door locking devices are complex. One current aircraft passenger door locking device includes a separate lock stop that interacts with an area on the latch shaft to prevent the latch shaft from rotating before being unlocked. The lock stop includes a single-shear pin joint and can exert an out-of-plane load onto the door structure beam. The operation of the lock stop may include an inefficient load path. Other drawbacks may also exist.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system, and method for selectively locking and unlocking a passenger door.

[0004] This specification discloses a door locking device. The device comprises a first shaft having a first longitudinal centerline and a member connected to the first shaft. The device includes a handle connected to the first shaft via the member, the handle being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft. The device includes a first cam extending from the handle and a second shaft having a second longitudinal centerline. The device includes a latch crank connected to the second shaft. The device includes a second cam extending from the latch crank and a linkage 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 allow rotation of the second shaft.

[0005] As the latch crank moves between the closed and open positions, it pivots around a second longitudinal centerline. As the handle moves between the locked and unlocked positions, it pivots around a first longitudinal centerline. As the handle moves from the locked to the unlocked position, it pivots in a first direction around the first longitudinal centerline. As the handle moves from the unlocked to the locked position, it pivots in a second direction opposite to the first direction around the first longitudinal centerline.

[0006] After the handle's movement causes the first cam to substantially pass the second cam, the movement of the handle from the locked position to the unlocked position pivots the latch crank in the first direction around the second longitudinal centerline. The movement of the handle from the unlocked position to the locked position pivots the latch crank in the second direction around the second longitudinal centerline. When the handle moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the latch crank reaches 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] This specification also discloses a system for locking a door. 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, the handle being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft. The system includes a first projection 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 projection extending from the latch crank. The system includes a linkage connected between the latch crank and the member and a door connected to the linkage. When the handle is in the locked position, the first projection is positioned adjacent to the second projection to prevent rotation of the second shaft. When the handle is in the unlocked position, the first projection is positioned away from the second projection to allow rotation of the second shaft.

[0008] The door is an aircraft passenger door. The movement of the linkage and latch crank opens the door. The handle, in the locked position, prevents the movement of the linkage and latch crank. When the latch crank moves between the closed and open positions, it pivots around a second longitudinal centerline, and when the handle moves between the locked and unlocked positions, it pivots around a first longitudinal centerline. When the handle moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, it pivots in a first direction around the first longitudinal centerline. When the handle moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, it pivots in a second direction opposite to the first direction around the first longitudinal centerline. After the movement of the handle has moved the first projection substantially past the second projection, the movement of the handle from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the latch crank to pivot in a first direction around the second longitudinal centerline. The movement of the handle from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the latch crank to pivot in a second direction around the second longitudinal centerline.

[0009] This specification also discloses a method for selectively locking and unlocking a door. The method includes connecting a handle to a first shaft via a member, the handle being rotatable around a first longitudinal centerline of the first shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position. The method includes connecting a latch crank to a second shaft, the latch crank being rotatable around a second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft. The method includes connecting a linkage between the latch crank and a member. The method includes connecting a linkage to a door, the movement of which causes the door to open and close. The method includes preventing the latch crank from rotating around a second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft when the handle is in the locked position.

[0010] This method includes positioning a first projection of the handle adjacent to a second projection of the latch crank when the handle is in the locked position. When the handle rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position, the handle is configured to move the first projection away from the second projection. After the first projection moves away from the second projection, the latch crank is configured to rotate from the closed position to the open position around the second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft. The rotation of the latch crank from the closed position to the open position moves the linkage to open the door. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1A] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a door lock device. [Figure 1B] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a door lock device. [Figure 1C] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a door lock device. [Figure 1D] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a door lock device. [Figure 1E] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a door lock device. [Figure 1F] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a door lock device. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a door lock device. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system for selectively locking, unlocking, and opening doors. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for selectively locking and unlocking a door.

[0012] This disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, although specific embodiments are shown as examples in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to be limited to any specific form disclosed. Rather, it is intended to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figures 1A to 1F are schematic diagrams of the 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, the handle 130 being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft 110. Figure 1A shows the handle 130 in the locked position, and Figure 1D shows the handle in the unlocked position. Figures 1B and 1C show the handle 130 in various positions between the locked position in Figure 1A and the unlocked position in Figure 1D. Figures 1E and 1F show the handle 130 moved beyond the unlocked position in Figure 1D via rotation of the first shaft 110.

[0014] The door locking device 100 includes a first cam or projection 140 extending from the handle 130 and a second shaft 150 having a second longitudinal centerline 151. The door locking device 100 includes a latch crank 160 connected to the second shaft 150. The door locking device 100 includes a second cam or projection 170 extending from the latch crank 160 and a linkage 180 connected between the latch crank 160 and 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 allow rotation of the second shaft 150.

[0015] As the latch crank 160 moves between the closed position shown in Figure 1A and the open position shown in Figure 1F, the latch crank pivots around the second longitudinal centerline 151. As the handle 130 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the handle pivots around the first longitudinal centerline 111. As the handle 130 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the handle 130 pivots around the first longitudinal centerline 111 in the first direction indicated by arrow 131. As the handle 130 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the handle 130 pivots around the first longitudinal centerline 111 in the second direction indicated by arrow 132, opposite to the first direction 131.

[0016] The movement of the handle 130 moves the first cam 140 substantially past the second cam 170, as shown in Figures 1D to 1F. The movement of the handle 130 from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the latch crank 160 to pivot around the second longitudinal centerline 151 in the first direction indicated by arrow 161. The movement of the handle 130 from the unlocked position to the locked position, after the handle 130 has moved so that the first cam 140 substantially moves away from the second cam 170, causes the pivot of the latch crank 160 around the second longitudinal centerline 151 to cause the linkage 180 to move. The linkage 180 is connected to the door, with the movement of the linkage 180 configured to open and close the door. In one or more embodiments, the door is a passenger door of an aircraft.

[0017] The movement of the handle 130 from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the latch crank 160 to pivot around the second longitudinal centerline 151 in a second direction indicated by arrow 162. As 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, as shown in Figure 1C. The latch crank 160 is in the closed position when the first cam 140 rotates past the second cam 170, as shown in Figures 1A to 1C. The movement of the handle 130 from the position shown in Figure 1F to the position shown in Figure 1C, due to the pivot of the latch crank 160 in the second direction, causes the linkage 180 to move. The movement of the linkage 180 causes the door to which the linkage 180 is attached to close. To position the first cam 140 adjacent to the second cam 170, the handle 130 continues to move in the second direction from the position shown in Figure 1C to the locked position shown in Figure 1A. In the locked position, the first cam 140 prevents the latch crank 160 connected to the second cam 170 from rotating around the second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150.

[0018] The shape, size, configuration, and / or location of the first protrusion or first cam 140 and the second protrusion or second cam 170 can vary according to the application, as will be understood by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. For example, FIG. 2 shows a door lock device 100 including a first shaft 110 having a first longitudinal center line 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, and the handle 130 is movable via rotation of the first shaft 110 between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0019] The door lock device 100 includes a first protrusion 140A extending from the handle 130 and a second shaft 150 having a second longitudinal center line 151. The door lock device 100 includes a latch crank 160 connected to the second shaft 150. The door lock device 100 includes a second protrusion 170A extending from the latch crank 160 and a linkage 180 connected between the latch crank 160 and the member 120. When the handle 130 is in the locked position shown in FIG. 2, the first protrusion 140A is positioned adjacent to the second protrusion 170A to prevent rotation of the second shaft 150. As in the case of the door lock device shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, when the handle 130 is moved to the unlocked position, the first protrusion 140A is positioned away from the second protrusion 170A to allow rotation of the second shaft 150. Rotation of the second shaft 150 allows the door attached to the door lock device 100 disclosed herein to be opened.

[0020] Figure 3 shows a system 400 including a door locking device 100 connected to a door 200. The door 200 is a passenger door of an aircraft located within the fuselage 300 of the aircraft. The linkage 180 of the door locking device 100 is connected to the door 200. When the handle 130 is in the locked position, as described herein, the first projection 140 prevents the latch crank 160 from rotating by positioning it adjacent to the second projection 170. As described herein, the handle 130 rotates so that the first projection 140 moves relative to the second projection 170. Once the first projection 140 moves away from the second projection 170, the continued movement of the handle 130 causes the rotation of the second shaft 150, which moves the linkage 180 to open the door 200.

[0021] Figure 4 is a flowchart for an exemplary method 500 for selectively locking and unlocking a door. Method 500, in 510, involves connecting a handle to a first shaft via a member, the handle being rotatable around a first longitudinal centerline of the first shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position. For example, a handle 130 is connected to the first shaft 110 via a member 120. The handle 130 moves between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotation of the first shaft 110. Method 500, in 520, involves connecting a latch crank to a second shaft, the latch crank being rotatable around a second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft. In one or more embodiments, a latch crank 160 is connected to the second shaft 150 in a manner that allows it to rotate around a second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150.

[0022] Method 500 includes, at 530, connecting a linkage between the latch crank and the member. In one or more embodiments, linkage 180 is connected between latch crank 160 and member 120. Method 500 includes, at 540, connecting the linkage to a door, wherein movement of the linkage opens and closes the door. The door can be, but is not limited to, an aircraft passenger door. Method 500 includes, at 550, preventing rotation of the latch crank about a second longitudinal centerline of a second shaft when the handle is in a locked position. In one or more embodiments, method 500 includes, at 560, positioning a first protrusion of the handle adjacent to a second protrusion of the latch crank when the handle is in a locked position. In one or more embodiments, to prevent rotation of latch crank 160 about a second longitudinal centerline 151 of second shaft 150, a first protrusion 140 of handle 130 is positioned adjacent to a second protrusion 170 of latch crank 160.

[0023] Additional embodiments are described herein that are useful in understanding the subject matter included herein.

[0024] The door lock device 100 comprises a first shaft 110 having a first longitudinal centerline 111, a member 120 connected to the first shaft 110, and 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, and a latch crank 1 connected to the second shaft 150. The mechanism comprises a 60, a second cam 170, 170A extending from a latch crank 160, and a linkage 180 connected between the latch crank 160 and member 120. When the handle 130 is in the locked position, the first cams 140, 140A are positioned adjacent to the second cams 170, 170A to prevent rotation of the second shaft 150, and when the handle 130 is in the unlocked position, the first cams 140, 140A are positioned away from the second cams 170, 170A to allow rotation of the second shaft 150.

[0025] The door locking device 100 described in the preceding paragraph has a latch crank 160 that pivots around a second longitudinal centerline 151 when the latch crank 160 moves between a closed position and an open position, and a handle 130 that pivots around a first longitudinal centerline 111 when the handle moves between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0026] The door locking device 100 described in the preceding paragraph causes the handle 130 to pivot in a first direction 131 around the first longitudinal centerline 111 when the handle 130 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0027] The door locking device 100 described in the preceding paragraph causes the handle 130 to pivot around the first longitudinal centerline 111 in a second direction 132 opposite to the first direction 131 when the handle 130 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0028] The door locking device 100 described in the preceding paragraph is such that, after the movement of the handle 130 causes the first cams 140, 140A to move substantially past the second cams 170, 170A, the movement of the handle 130 from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the latch crank 160 to pivot in the first direction 161 around the second longitudinal centerline 151.

[0029] The door locking device 100 described in the preceding paragraph is such that the 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 around the second longitudinal centerline 151.

[0030] In the door locking device 100 described in the preceding paragraph, 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.

[0031] In the door locking device 100 described in the preceding paragraph, the latch crank 160 is in the closed position when the first cams 140, 140A rotate past the second cams 170, 170A.

[0032] A system 400 for locking a door 200, the system 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, the handle 130 being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position via rotation of the first shaft 110; first projections 140, 140A extending from the handle 130; a second shaft 150 having a second longitudinal centerline 151; and a latch crank connected to the second shaft 150. The door 200 comprises a latch crank 160, second projections 170, 170A extending from the latch crank 160, and a linkage 180 connected between the latch crank 160 and member 120. The door 200 is connected to the linkage 180, and when the handle 130 is in the locked position, the first projections 140, 140A are positioned adjacent to the second projections 170, 170A to prevent rotation of the second shaft 150, and when the handle 130 is in the unlocked position, the first projections 140, 140A are positioned away from the second projections 170, 170A to allow rotation of the second shaft 150.

[0033] The system 400 described in the preceding paragraph is such that door 200 is the passenger door of the aircraft.

[0034] The system 400 described in the preceding paragraph opens the door 200 through the movement of the linkage 180 and the latch crank 160.

[0035] The system 400 described in the preceding paragraph has a handle 130 in a locked position that prevents movement of the linkage 180 and the latch crank 160.

[0036] The system 400 described in the preceding paragraph is such that when the latch crank 160 moves between a closed position and an open position, the latch crank pivots around a second longitudinal centerline 151, and when the handle 130 moves between a locked position and an unlocked position, the handle pivots around a first longitudinal centerline 111.

[0037] In the system 400 described in the preceding paragraph, when the handle 130 moves from a locked position to an unlocked position, the handle 130 pivots around the first longitudinal centerline 111 in a first direction 131. When the handle 130 moves from an unlocked position to a locked position, the handle 130 pivots around the first longitudinal centerline 111 in a second direction 132 opposite to the first direction 131.

[0038] The system 400 described in the preceding paragraph is such that, after the movement of the handle 130 has moved the first projections 140, 140A substantially past the second projections 170, 170A, the movement of the handle 130 from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the latch crank 160 to pivot in the first direction 161 around the second longitudinal centerline 151. The movement of the handle 130 from the unlocked position to the locked position causes the latch crank 160 to pivot in the second direction 162 around the second longitudinal centerline 151.

[0039] A method 500 for selectively locking and unlocking a door 200, comprising the steps of: connecting a handle 130 to a first shaft 110 via a member 120, the handle 130 being rotatable around a first longitudinal centerline 111 of the first shaft 110 between a locked position and an unlocked position; and connecting a latch crank 160 to a second shaft 150, the latch crank 160 being rotatable around a second longitudinal centerline of the second shaft A method comprising the steps of: connecting a latch crank that is rotatable around the centerline 151 of a second shaft; connecting a linkage 180 between the latch crank 160 and a member; connecting the linkage 180 to a door 200, wherein the movement of the linkage 180 opens and closes the door; and preventing the latch crank 160 from rotating around the second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150 when the handle 130 is in a locked position.

[0040] The method 500 described in the preceding paragraph further includes, when the handle 130 is in the locked position, positioning the first projections 140, 140A of the handle 130 adjacent to the second projections 170, 170A of the latch crank 160.

[0041] The method 500 described in the preceding paragraph is configured such that when the handle 130 is rotated from a locked position to an unlocked position, the handle 130 moves the first projections 140, 140A away from the second projections 170, 170A.

[0042] The method 500 described in the preceding paragraph is configured such that, after the first projections 140, 140A move away from the second projections 170, 170A, the latch crank 160 rotates from a closed position to an open position about the second longitudinal centerline 151 of the second shaft 150.

[0043] The method 500 described in the preceding paragraph involves rotating the latch crank 160 from the closed position to the open position, which moves the linkage 180 to open the door 200.

[0044] This disclosure is described in terms of a particular embodiment, but the scope of this disclosure is defined solely by reference to the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A door lock device (100), 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), the handle (130) being 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); a linkage (180) connected between the latch crank (160) and the member (120); the first cam (140, 140A) is positioned adjacent to the second cam (170, 170A) to prevent rotation of the second shaft (150) when the handle (130) is in the locked position; When the handle (130) is in the unlocked position, the first cam (140, 140A) is positioned away from the second cam (170, 170A) to allow the second shaft (150) to rotate. Door lock device (100).

2. 2. The door lock device (100) of claim 1, wherein 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 the handle (130) pivots about the first longitudinal centerline (111) when the handle (130) moves between the locked position and the unlocked position.

3. 3. The door lock device (100) of claim 2, wherein 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.

4. 4. The door lock device (100) of claim 3, 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 (132) opposite the first direction (131).

5. 5. The door locking device (100) of claim 4, wherein movement of the handle (130) from the locked position to the unlocked position pivots the latch crank (160) in a first direction (161) about the second longitudinal centerline (151) after movement of the handle (130) moves the first cam (140, 140A) substantially past the second cam (170, 170A).

6. 6. The door locking device (100) of claim 5, 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).

7. 7. The door lock device (100) of claim 6, 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. 8. The door locking device (100) of claim 7, wherein the latch crank (160) is in the closed position when the first cam (140, 140A) rotates past the second cam (170, 170A).

9. A method (500) for selectively locking and unlocking a door (200), comprising: coupling a handle (130) to a first shaft (110) via a member (120), the handle (130) being 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), said latch crank (160) being rotatable about a second longitudinal centerline (151) of said second shaft; connecting (530) a linkage (180) between the latch crank (160) and the member; connecting the linkage (180) to the door (200), wherein movement of the linkage (180) opens and closes the door; 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; A method (500) comprising:

10. 10. The method (500) of claim 9, wherein the step of preventing rotation of the latch crank (160) further comprises positioning a first protrusion (140, 140A) of the handle (130) adjacent to a second protrusion (170, 170A) of the latch crank (160) when the handle (130) is in the locked position.

11. 11. The method (500) of claim 10, wherein the handle (130) is configured to move the first protrusion (140, 140A) away from the second protrusion (170, 170A) when the handle (130) is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position.

12. 12. The method (500) of claim 11, wherein the latch crank (160) is configured to rotate about the second longitudinal centerline (151) of the second shaft (150) from a closed position to an open position after the first protrusion (140, 140A) moves away from the second protrusion (170, 170A).

13. 13. The method (500) of claim 12, wherein rotation of the latch crank (160) from the closed position to the open position moves the linkage (180) to open the door (200).

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