System and method for connecting composite panels

Abstract

To provide a system and a method that can efficiently and effectively combine composite panels together.SOLUTION: A system and a method for securing a first composite panel (100) to a second composite panel (102) include a latch assembly (108) having one or more latches (124, 126). The latch assembly (108) is configured to be secured to one of the first composite panel (100) and the second composite panel (102). One or more strikes (158) are configured to retain at least a portion of the one or more latches (124, 126). The one or more strikes (158) are configured to be secured to the other of the first composite panel (100) and the second composite panel (102).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to composite panels, and more specifically, to systems and methods for integrally connecting composite panels.

Background Art

[0002] Various structures are composed of composite materials. For example, structural parts of an aircraft such as wings can be composed of composite materials. Composite materials include a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. The fibers are hardened by a polymer such as epoxy. Known fibers include fibers such as glass, carbon, basalt, and aramid.

[0003] Typically, a plurality of composite panels are integrally joined in the manufacturing process. A plurality of slot cases are fixed to the composite panel by adhesion. Then, for example, before or during the curing process, these slot cases are joined to the connection structure of other composite panels, and these composite panels are integrated. For example, a tab is inserted into the slot case, and an adhesive is applied between the tab and the slot case to join them.

[0004] Thus, in a typical process of integrating a plurality of composite panels, it is necessary to perform a plurality of joining steps on the slot case. Therefore, the process of integrating composite panels can be laborious and time-consuming. Furthermore, the adhesive may protrude from between the tab and the slot case and flow out to other parts of the composite panel, which may lead to the formation of unnecessary bulges and the like.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] There is a need for systems and methods that can efficiently and effectively integrate composite panels. There is also a need for systems and methods that can reduce the amount of adhesive used and integrate composite panels before or during the curing process.

[0006] With these in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system for fastening a first composite panel to a second composite panel. The system includes a latch assembly having one or more latches. The latch assembly is configured to be fastened to either the first composite panel or the second composite panel. One or more receiving portions are configured to hold at least a portion of the one or more latches. One or more receiving portions are configured to be fastened to the other of the first composite panel or the second composite panel.

[0007] In at least one latch assembly, the latch assembly is configured to secure the tab of the first composite panel to the slot case of the second composite panel without the use of adhesive.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the latch assembly is located on either the tab of the first composite panel or the slot case of the second composite panel. The one or more receiving portions are located on either the tab of the first composite panel or the slot case of the second composite panel.

[0009] In one embodiment, the latch assembly includes a first latch, a second latch, and a locking member positioned between the first and second latches. In yet another embodiment, the locking member is removable from the space between the first and second latches. When the locking member is removed from the space, the first and second latches are movable.

[0010] In one embodiment, each of the first latch and the second latch includes an upright beam portion and an insertable beam portion connected to the upright beam portion. The insertable beam portion is configured to be retractable from one or more receiving portions.

[0011] In one embodiment, the locking member includes a first branch and a second branch connected at the crossbeam section. A groove is formed between the first branch, the second branch, and the crossbeam section. When the first latch and the second latch are in contact, a portion of the first latch and the second latch is held within the groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, the one or more receiving portions are located on a tab of the first composite panel. The latch assembly includes a first latch and a second latch that are movably held within a slot case of the second composite panel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the one or more receiving portions include a plurality of receiving portions arranged in the tab of the first composite panel. The latch assembly includes a single latch having a plurality of latch elements within the slot case of the second composite panel.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, each of the first composite panel and the second composite panel includes a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner shell material and an outer shell material.

[0015] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for fastening a first composite panel to a second composite panel. The method includes fastening a latch assembly having one or more latches to one of the first composite panel or the second composite panel; fastening one or more receiving portions to the other of the first composite panel or the second composite panel; and holding at least a portion of the one or more latches by the one or more receiving portions.

[0016] A particular embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system comprising a first composite panel, a second composite panel fixed to the first composite panel in an orientation orthogonal to it, and a latch assembly having one or more latches, wherein (the latch assembly is fixed to either the first or second composite panel), and one or more receiving portions are configured to hold at least a portion of the one or more latches (the one or more receiving portions are fixed to the other of the first or second composite panel). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a first composite panel connected to a second composite panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a latch assembly positioned above a slot case according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a latch assembly positioned above a slot case according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the locking member removed from the space between the first latch and the second latch. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing a latch assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the first latch and the second latch are in contact with each other. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a system having a latch assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the latch assembly in a fixed position relative to the slot case. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing a state in which the first composite panel is fixed to the second composite panel by the system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a state in which the tab of the first composite panel is positioned above the slot case according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the tabs of the first composite panel fixed to the slot case. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing the state where the tab of the first composite material panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is located above the slot case. [Figure 10] A perspective view showing the state where the tab of the first composite material panel in FIG. 9 is fixed to the slot case. [Figure 11] An exploded perspective view of a composite material panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] A flowchart of a method for fixing a first composite material panel to a second composite material panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The summary of the invention described above and the detailed description of the embodiments described below will be more clearly understood by reading with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, even if an element or step is described in the singular form, such a description does not necessarily exclude a plurality of elements or steps. In addition, referring to "an embodiment" does not intend to exclude the existence of other embodiments incorporating the features of the said embodiment. Also, unless otherwise specified, an embodiment "comprising" or "including" one or more elements having a specific characteristic may include other additional elements not having that characteristic.

[0019] As described above, by using a slot case, a composite material panel can be connected to another composite material panel. However, typically, the slot case is first joined to the first composite material panel with an adhesive, and then the tab of the second composite material panel is joined to the slot case with an adhesive. This leads to an increase in manufacturing time and cost.

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for integrally connecting a plurality of composite material panels without the need to bond tabs to a slot case by adhesion. The system and method include a locking member that mechanically slides to secure a tab to a slot case, thereby enabling an assembly including a plurality of composite material panels to be efficiently and effectively constructed and, if desired, easily disassembled. In at least one embodiment, the mechanically sliding locking member includes one or more latches slidably coupled to one or more strikes. The latch can be disposed on a tab of a first composite material panel, and the strike can be configured as part of a slot case or a receiving portion of a second composite material panel. Alternatively, the reverse arrangement relationship is also possible.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, one or more sliding latches are integrated with one of the tab panels of the slot case or the composite material panel. Locking keys can hold the latch in a first position before the assembly process and in a second, locked position after the assembly process.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first composite material panel 100 coupled to a second composite material panel 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first composite material panel 100 is secured to the second composite material panel 102 by a system 104. As shown, the first composite material panel 100 is orthogonal to the second composite material panel 102. For example, the first composite material panel 100 is oriented at a right angle or substantially at a right angle (e.g., ±5 degrees) with respect to the second composite material panel 102. In at least one embodiment, the system 104 secures the first composite material panel 100 in an orientation orthogonal to the second composite material panel 102.

[0023] The system 104 includes a housing or slot case 106 fixed to the second composite panel 102 (or optionally the first composite panel 100), and a latch assembly 108 fixed to the first composite panel 100 (or optionally the second composite panel 102).

[0024] The latch assembly 108 can also be configured to be fixed to a tab extending outward from the edge wall 110 of the first composite panel 100. The slot case 106 can also be configured to be formed (for example, integrally as a recess) on the outer wall 112 of the second composite panel 102. As shown in the figure, the system 104 fixes the first composite panel 100 to the second composite panel 102 with its edges and surfaces aligned. In any configuration, the slot case 106 may be formed on the edge wall 110 and the latch assembly 108 may be formed on the outer wall 112. In another embodiment, the latch assembly 108 and the slot case 106 may be formed on the edge walls of the first composite panels 100 and 102, respectively, in which case the composite panel 100 and the second composite panel 102 are fixed with their edges aligned. In another embodiment, the latch assembly and slot case 106 may be formed on the outer walls of the first composite panels 100 and 102, respectively, in which case the composite panel 100 and the second composite panel 102 are fixed with their surfaces facing each other.

[0025] As described herein, system 104 includes a latch assembly having at least one latch, which is configured to latch into at least one receiving portion to secure a tab of the first composite panel 100 to a slot case 106 of the second composite panel 102. Multiple systems 104 can be used to secure the first composite panel 100 to the second composite panel 102, for example, by arranging multiple systems along the joint between the panels. In at least one embodiment, system 104 secures the composite panel 100 and the composite panel 102 together, for example, before or during a curing process.

[0026] System 104 fastens a first composite panel 100 to a second composite panel 102 and includes a latch assembly having one or more latches. The latch assembly is fixed to either the first composite panel 100 or the second composite panel 102. A receiving portion is configured to hold at least a portion of one or more latches. The receiving portion is fixed to the other of the first composite panel 100 or the second composite panel 102.

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a latch assembly 108 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure positioned above a slot case 106. The slot case 106 is fixed to a tab 114 that extends outward (for example, downward) from the edge wall 110 of the first composite panel 100. As shown, a first latch assembly 108 can be positioned on a first surface 116 of the tab 114, and a second latch assembly 108 can be positioned on a second surface 118 of the tab 114 (the surface opposite to the first surface 116).

[0028] The latch assembly 108 includes a base 120 fixed to cover the face 122 of the tab 114. The latch assembly 108 further includes a first latch 124 and a second latch 126, which are fixed to the base 120, for example, by a cover 128. A locking member 130 is positioned between the first latch 124 and the second latch 126. In at least one embodiment, the first face 116 of the tab 114 is bonded to the base 120. Optionally, an adhesive can be applied to the tab 114. In other embodiments, epoxy may be used.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, the first latch 124, the second latch 126, and the locking member 130 are held in complementary grooves (reciprocal channels), recesses, holes, etc., formed in the base 120. In any configuration, the latch assembly 108 may not include a cover 128.

[0030] The first latch 124 includes an upright beam section 132 connected to the insertion beam section 134. As shown in the figure, the upright beam section 132 is oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular (e.g., within 10 degrees) to the insertion beam section 134.

[0031] Similarly, the second latch 126 also includes an upright beam section 132 connected to the insertion beam section 134. The upright beam section 132 is oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the insertion beam section 134.

[0032] The first latch 124 and the second latch 126 face opposite directions. For example, the insertion beam portion 134 of the first latch 124 extends from the upright beam portion 132 in the direction of arrow A, while the insertion beam portion 134 of the second latch 126 extends from the upright beam portion 132 in the direction of arrow B, which is opposite to arrow A.

[0033] The locking member 130 is C-shaped, with a first prong 140 and a second prong 142 facing each other and connected by a cross beam 144. A groove 146 is formed between the first prong 140, the second prong 142, and the cross beam 144.

[0034] The slot case 106 is recessed from the second composite panel 102. The slot case 106 can be fixed in a complementary groove formed in the second composite panel 102 by adhesive or the like. The slot case 106 has a size and shape that allows it to receive and hold the tab 114. The slot case 106 includes a side wall 150, an end wall 152 connected thereto, and a bottom (hidden and not visible in Figure 2). A tab chamber 154 is defined between the side wall 150, the end wall 152, and the bottom.

[0035] Furthermore, each side wall 150 has an insertion recess 156. The receiving portion 158 is formed in the side wall 150 and is connected to the insertion recess 156.

[0036] When the tab 114 is not connected or linked, it is not located inside the tab chamber 154. Instead, as shown in Figure 2, the first composite panel 100 is first positioned above the second composite panel 102 so that the tab 114 and the tab chamber 154 are aligned.

[0037] Before inserting the tab 114 into the tab chamber 154, the latch assembly 108 is in a first position, such as the extended position, with the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 separated by the locking member 130. To secure the first composite panel 100 to the second composite panel 102, the first composite panel 100 is pressed against the second composite panel 102, moving the tab 114 in the direction of arrow C and pushing it into the tab chamber 154.

[0038] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a latch assembly 108 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure positioned above a slot case 106. In the figure, the locking member 130 is removed from the space 160 between the first latch 124 and the second latch 126. The locking member 130 is removed from the space 160 before inserting the tab 114 into the tab chamber 154 of the slot case 106. After removing the locking member 130 from the space 160, the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 are moved (e.g., slid) to attract each other. In at least one embodiment, a latch assembly 108 positioned on both sides of the tab 114 is operated in this manner.

[0039] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a latch assembly 108 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 in contact with each other. When the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 are in contact with each other, their respective upright beam portions 132 are in contact with each other. In this way, the latch assembly 108 is in the retracted position, and at this time, the insertion beam portion 134 (shown in Figure 2) is housed inside the cover 128, and the overall width is smaller than the insertion recess 156 (shown in Figure 5) of the slot case 106. Therefore, the latch assembly 108 can be fitted into the tab chamber 154 and the insertion beam portion 134 can be slid into the insertion recess 156. By moving the locking member 130 from above the upright beam portion 132 and fitting the upright beam portions 132 that are in contact with each other into the groove 146 of the locking member 130, the movable upright beam portions can be restrained by the branches 140 and 142. Next, the tab 114 is inserted into the tab chamber 154 and the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 are slid into the insertion recess 156. In at least one embodiment, the latch assemblies 108 located on both sides of the tab 114 are operated in this manner.

[0040] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a system 104 having a latch assembly 108 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the latch assembly in a fixed position relative to the slot case 106. For clarity, a portion of the system 104 is shown transparently. After the latch assembly 108 is inserted into the insertion recess 156, the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 are moved (e.g., slid) apart from each other. As they move, the insertion beam portions 134 of the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 each fit into the receiving portions 158 of the slot case 106. Then, by returning the locking member 130 to the space 160 between the first latch 124 and the second latch 126, the insertion beam portions 134 can be prevented from retracting from the receiving portions 158. In this way, the latch assembly 108 can be fixed to the slot case 106, and thus the first composite panel 100 can be fixed to the second composite panel 102. In at least one embodiment, the latch assemblies 108 located on both sides of the tab 114 are operated in this manner.

[0041] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the first composite panel 100 fixed to the second composite panel 102 by a system 104 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1 to 6, as shown, the locking member 130 and the upper end of the upright beam portion 132 extend from the upper end of the second composite panel 102 along the side surface of the first composite panel 100. Therefore, the locking member 130 can be gripped and removed. In addition, the insertion beam portion 134 can be detached from the receiving portion 158 by moving the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 to attract each other. In this way, since the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 are not fixed to the receiving portion 158, the first composite panel 100 can be easily separated from the second composite panel 102.

[0042] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a tab of a first composite panel 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, positioned above a slot case 106. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 158 is formed on the tab 114, and the latch assembly 108 is fixedly positioned within the slot case 106.

[0043] For example, the receiving portion 158 is located on the tab 114 of the first composite panel 100, and the latch assembly 108 includes a first latch 224 and a second latch 226 that are movably held within the slot case 106.

[0044] For example, the receiving portion 158 is formed by a groove formed between an upper projection 200 and a lower projection 202 that protrude outward from the surface of the tab 114. The latch assembly 108 includes a first latch 224 and a second latch 226 on either side of the insertion groove 228. To secure the tab 114 to the slot case 106, the first latch 224 and the second latch 226 are moved apart from each other, causing their respective insertion beam portions 234 to slide and be pulled into the beam groove 236 located outside the insertion groove 228. The tab 114 is then pushed into the tab chamber 254 to align the receiving portion 158 and the beam groove 236 in a straight line.

[0045] To secure the latch assembly 108 to the tab 114, the first latch 224 and the second latch 226 are slid toward each other, causing the insertion beam portion 234 to fit into the receiving portion 158. By placing a locking member (for example, the cover portion of the tab 114) between the respective upright beam portions 232 of the first latch 224 and the second latch 226 and the inner wall 260 of the slot case 106, it is possible to prevent the engagement between the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 and the receiving portion 158 from unintentionally disengaging.

[0046] In at least one embodiment, the exposed portion of the upright beam section 232 may be configured to have a tool receiving opening 270. A tool for moving the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 between a spaced-out position and a fixed position can be inserted into the tool receiving opening 270. The first latch 124 and the second latch 126 may optionally not include the tool receiving opening 270.

[0047] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the tab 114 of the first composite panel 100 in Figure 7 fixed to the slot case 106. In this figure, the system 104 is fixed, and the insertion beam portions 134 of the first latch 124 and the second latch 126 are held in the receiving portion 158 of the tab 114.

[0048] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a tab 114 of a first composite panel 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure positioned above a slot case 106. In this embodiment, the tab 114 has a plurality of receiving portions 158 formed thereon. The latch assembly 108 includes a single latch 300, which is held in complementary grooves formed in the slot case 106. The tab 114 is configured to be inserted into a tab chamber 154, and the latch elements 302 of the latch 300 are configured to slide and engage with the receiving portions 158, as in the embodiments described above. The number of receiving portions 158 included in the tab 114 may be more or less than shown. In addition, the number of latch elements 302 of the latch 300 may be more or less than shown.

[0049] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the tab 114 of the first composite panel 100 fixed to the slot case in Figure 9. As shown, each latch element 302 is held by a receiving portion 158, thereby fixing the tab 114 to the slot case 106.

[0050] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a composite panel 400 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The first composite panel 100 and the second composite panel 102 can be configured as the composite panel 400. In at least one embodiment, the composite panel 400 includes a core 402 sandwiched between an inner skin material 404 and an outer skin material 408.

[0051] In at least one embodiment, the core 402 is a honeycomb core in which a plurality of honeycomb cells 420 are interconnected. In at least one other embodiment, the core 402 is a solid layer or a layer of porous foam. The core 402 is composed of, for example, aramid fibers and / or polyamide. The inner skin 404 and outer skin 408 include one or more layers of fibers such as glass fibers, graphite, or Kevlar that have been pre-impregnated with epoxy resin. The inner skin 404 and outer skin 408 may have the same configuration as each other. In at least one other embodiment, the inner skin 404 and outer skin 408 may have a configuration in which one has more or fewer layers than the other.

[0052] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a method for fastening a first composite panel to a second composite panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes, in 500, fastening a latch assembly having one or more latches to one of the first composite panel or the second composite panel; in 502, fastening one or more receiving parts to the other of the first composite panel or the second composite panel; and in 504, holding at least a portion of one or more latches with one or more receiving parts. In at least one embodiment, the method includes joining a slot case to, for example, the second composite panel.

[0053] As described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for efficiently and effectively fixing and integrating multiple composite panels. Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for fixing and integrating multiple composite panels with less adhesive than conventional connections, either before or during the curing process.

[0054] Furthermore, this disclosure includes embodiments as specified below.

[0055] Note 1. A system (104) for fixing the first composite panel (100) to the second composite panel (102), A latch assembly (108) having one or more latches (124, 126), wherein the latch assembly (108) is configured to be fixed to one of the first composite panel (100) or the second composite panel (102), A system comprising: one or more receiving portions (158) configured to hold at least a portion of one or more of the latches (124, 126), wherein the one or more receiving portions (158) are configured to be fixed to the other of the first composite panel (100) or the second composite panel (102).

[0056] Note 2. The system as described in Note 1, wherein the latch assembly (108) is configured to fix the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) to the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102) without the use of adhesive.

[0057] Note 3. The system according to Note 1 or 2, wherein the latch assembly (108) is located on either the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) or the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102), and the one or more receiving portions (158) are located on the other of the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) or the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102).

[0058] Note 4. The latch assembly (108) is, First latch (124), Second latch (126), and, The system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, comprising a locking member (130) positioned between the first latch (124) and the second latch (126).

[0059] Note 5. The system as described in Note 4, wherein the locking member (130) is removable from the space between the first latch (124) and the second latch (126), and when the locking member (130) is removed from the space, the first latch (124) and the second latch (126) are movable.

[0060] Note 6. Each of the first latch (124) and the second latch (126) is: Upright beam section (132), The system according to Appendix 4 or 5, comprising an insertable beam section (134) connected to the upright beam section (132), wherein the insertable beam section (134) is configured to be insertable into and remove from the one or more receiving sections (158).

[0061] Note 7. The system according to any one of Notes 4 to 6, wherein the locking member (130) includes a first branch (140) and a second branch (142) connected by a crossbeam portion (144), a groove (146) is formed between the first branch (140), the second branch (142), and the crossbeam portion (144), and when the first latch (124) and the second latch (126) are in contact, a portion of each of the first latch (124) and the second latch (126) is held in the groove (146).

[0062] Note 8. The system according to any one of Notes 1 to 7, wherein the one or more receiving portions (158) are located on the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100), and the latch assembly (108) includes a first latch (124) and a second latch (126) movably held within the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102).

[0063] Note 9. The system according to any one of Notes 1 to 8, wherein the one or more receiving portions (158) include a plurality of receiving portions (158) arranged on the first composite panel (100), and the latch assembly (108) includes a single latch (300) having a plurality of latch elements (300) within a slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102).

[0064] Appendix 10. The system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 9, wherein each of the first composite panel (100) and the second composite panel (102) includes a honeycomb core (402) sandwiched between an inner shell material (404) and an outer shell material (408).

[0065] Appendix 11. A method for fixing the first composite panel (100) to the second composite panel (102), A latch assembly (108) having one or more latches (124, 126) is fixed to one of the first composite panel (100) or the second composite panel (102), One or more receiving parts (158) are fixed to the other of the first composite panel (100) or the second composite panel (102), A method comprising holding at least a portion of the one or more latches (124, 126) with the one or more receiving portions (158).

[0066] Note 12. The method according to Note 11, wherein securing the latch assembly (108) includes securing the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) to the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102) by the latch assembly (108) without using adhesive.

[0067] Note 13. The method according to Note 11 or 12, wherein fixing the latch assembly (108) includes positioning the latch assembly (108) on either the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) or the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102), and fixing the one or more receiving parts (158) includes positioning the one or more receiving parts (158) on the other of the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) or the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102).

[0068] Note 14. First composite panel (100) and, A second composite panel (102) is fixed to the first composite panel (100) in an orthogonal orientation, A latch assembly (108) having one or more latches (124, 126), the latch assembly (108) being fixed to one of the first composite panel (100) or the second composite panel (102), One or more receiving portions (158) configured to hold at least a portion of the one or more latches (124, 126), one or more receiving portions (158) fixed to the other of the first composite panel (100) or the second composite panel (102), A system (104) equipped with the following.

[0069] Note 15. The system according to Note 14, wherein the latch assembly (108) is configured to secure the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) to the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102) without the use of adhesive.

[0070] Note 16. The system according to Note 14 or 15, wherein the latch assembly (108) is located on either the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) or the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102), and the one or more receiving portions (158) are located on the other of the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100) or the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102).

[0071] Note 17. The latch assembly (108) is, First latch (124), Second latch (126), and, The system according to any one of appendices 14 to 16, further comprising a locking member (130) positioned between the first latch (124) and the second latch (126).

[0072] Note 18. The locking member (130) is removable from the space between the first latch (124) and the second latch (126), and when the locking member (130) is removed from the space, the first latch (124) and the second latch (126) are movable, and each of the first latch (124) and the second latch (126) includes an upright beam portion (132) and an insert beam portion (134) connected to the upright beam portion (132), and the insert beam portion (134) includes the one or more receiving portions The system as described in Appendix 17, wherein the locking member (130) is configured to be removable from (158), and the locking member (130) includes a first branch (140) and a second branch (142) connected by a crossbeam portion (144), a groove (146) is formed between the first branch (140), the second branch, and the crossbeam portion (144), and when the first latch (124) and the second latch (126) are in contact, a portion of the first latch (124) and the second latch (126) is held in the groove (146).

[0073] Note 19. The system according to Note 17 or 18, wherein the one or more receiving portions (158) are located on the tab (114) of the first composite panel (100), and the latch assembly (108) includes a first latch (124) and a second latch (126) movably held within the slot case (106) of the second composite panel (102).

[0074] Appendix 20. The system according to any one of the appendices 17 to 19, wherein each of the first composite panel (100) and the second composite panel (102) includes a honeycomb core (402) sandwiched between an inner shell material (406) and an outer shell material (408).

[0075] In describing embodiments of this disclosure, various terms such as top, bottom, lower, center, side, horizontal, vertical, and front are used, but these terms are merely used in relation to the orientation shown in the drawings. These orientations can be changed by reversal, rotation, or otherwise, so that the top becomes the bottom or vice versa, or the horizontal direction becomes the vertical direction or vice versa.

[0076] In this specification, a structure, limitation, or element "configured to perform a certain process or operation" is one that has been specifically structurally formed, configured, or adapted to correspond to such process or operation. For the sake of clarity and to avoid any doubt, anything that can merely be modified to perform such process or operation is not considered "configured to perform a process or operation" as used herein.

[0077] The above description is illustrative and not intended to be limiting. For example, the embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) described above can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications are possible to adapt the teachings of various embodiments to specific situations or materials without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The dimensions and types of materials described herein are for the purpose of clarifying the parameters in the various embodiments of this disclosure, and these embodiments are not limiting but merely illustrative. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art by taking the above description into consideration. Therefore, the scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure should be determined by referring to the appended claims as well as the equivalents of those claims. The terms “including” and “in which” in the appended claims and descriptions of embodiments are used in their usual sense, and are used as expressions equivalent to “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively. Also, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are used merely as designations and do not impose any numerical requirements on the subject matter referred to therein.

[0078] This specification discloses various embodiments, including best modes, by example, and enables a person skilled in the art to carry out various embodiments of the disclosure, including the construction and use of any device or system, and the execution of the incorporated methods. The patentable scope of various embodiments of the disclosure is defined by the claims and may include other examples that a person skilled in the art may imagine. Such other examples should be considered to be included in the claims if they have components identical to the language of the claims, or if they include equivalent components that differ only non-essentially from the language of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for fixing a first composite panel to a second composite panel, A latch assembly comprising a first latch, a second latch, and a locking member disposed between the first latch and the second latch, wherein the latch assembly is configured to be fixed to either the first composite panel or the second composite panel, The device comprises one or more receiving portions configured to hold at least a portion of one or both of the first latch and the second latch, wherein the one or more receiving portions are configured to be fixed to the other of the first composite panel or the second composite panel. Each of the first latch and the second latch is Upright beam section, A system comprising an insertable beam section connected to the upright beam section, wherein the insertable beam section is configured to be retractable into and out of the one or more receiving sections.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the latch assembly is configured to fix the tab of the first composite panel to the slot case of the second composite panel without using an adhesive.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the latch assembly is located on either the tab of the first composite panel or the slot case of the second composite panel, and the one or more receiving portions are located on the other of the tab of the first composite panel or the slot case of the second composite panel.

4. A system for fixing a first composite panel to a second composite panel, A latch assembly comprising a first latch, a second latch, and a locking member disposed between the first latch and the second latch, wherein the latch assembly is configured to be fixed to either the first composite panel or the second composite panel, The device comprises one or more receiving portions configured to hold at least a portion of one or both of the first latch and the second latch, wherein the one or more receiving portions are configured to be fixed to the other of the first composite panel or the second composite panel. The locking member includes a first branch and a second branch connected at the crossbeam portion, and a groove is formed between the first branch, the second branch, and the crossbeam portion, and when the first latch and the second latch are in contact, a portion of the first latch and the second latch is held in the groove, in a system.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking member is removable from the space between the first latch and the second latch, and when the locking member is removed from the space, the first latch and the second latch are movable.

6. Each of the first latch and the second latch is Upright beam section, The system according to claim 4, comprising an insertable beam section connected to the upright beam section, wherein the insertable beam section is configured to be retractable from the one or more receiving sections.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking member includes a first branch and a second branch connected at the crossbeam portion, a groove is formed between the first branch, the second branch and the crossbeam portion, and when the first latch and the second latch are in contact, a portion of the first latch and the second latch is held in the groove.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more receiving portions are located on the tab of the first composite panel, and the latch assembly includes a first latch and a second latch movably held within the slot case of the second composite panel.

9. The system according to claim 4, wherein the one or more receiving portions include a plurality of receiving portions arranged in the first composite panel, and the latch assembly includes a single latch having a plurality of latch elements in a slot case of the second composite panel.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each of the first composite panel and the second composite panel includes a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner shell material and an outer shell material.

11. First composite panel and A second composite panel is fixed to the first composite panel in an orthogonal orientation, A latch assembly comprising a first latch, a second latch, and a locking member disposed between the first latch and the second latch, wherein the latch assembly is fixed to either the first composite panel or the second composite panel. One or more receiving portions configured to hold at least a portion of one or both of the first latch and the second latch, the receiving portions being fixed to the other of the first composite panel or the second composite panel, The locking member is removable from the space between the first latch and the second latch, and when the locking member is removed from the space, the first latch and the second latch are movable, and each of the first latch and the second latch includes an upright beam portion and an insert beam portion connected to the upright beam portion, the insert beam portion is configured to be retractable from the one or more receiving portions, the locking member includes a first branch and a second branch connected by a crossbeam portion, a groove is formed between the first branch, the second branch and the crossbeam portion, and when the first latch and the second latch are in contact, a portion of the first latch and the second latch is held in the groove, in a system.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the latch assembly is configured to fix the tab of the first composite panel to the slot case of the second composite panel without using an adhesive.

13. The system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the latch assembly is located on either the tab of the first composite panel or the slot case of the second composite panel, and the one or more receiving portions are located on the other of the tab of the first composite panel or the slot case of the second composite panel.

14. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the one or more receiving portions are arranged in the tab of the first composite panel, and the first latch and the second latch are movably held within the slot case of the second composite panel.

15. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein each of the first composite panel and the second composite panel includes a honeycomb core sandwiched between an inner shell material and an outer shell material.

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