Aircraft Door Latching And Locking With Self-Adjusting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft door latching mechanisms require time-consuming and expensive adjustments during manufacturing, and there is a need for improved systems that can efficiently manage flight loads and ensure secure door closure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a latch and lock configuration that allows for seamless integration with a lift mechanism, utilizing a vent flap and handle to control the latching and unlocking process, reducing the need for fuselage-mounted fittings and simplifying assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fittings mounted to the fuselage are used for latching, then the door can be latched securely, but the adjustments during manufacturing are time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to self-adjust and self-latch without requiring external rigging or adjustment during manufacturing. The latch shaft rotates automatically to engage the latch pawl with the lift mechanism, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments of fuselage-mounted fittings while maintaining secure door latching
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism uses a rotatable latch shaft that can dynamically transition between locked and unlatched positions. This dynamic design allows the latch to automatically adapt to the door position and engage with the lift mechanism without requiring static pre-adjustment of fittings during manufacturing
2Reliability
If fittings mounted to the fuselage are used for latching, then the door can be latched securely, but the adjustments are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism performs its own adjustment function through the rotation of the latch shaft, eliminating the need for expensive external rigging equipment and skilled labor during manufacturing. The self-adjusting mechanism reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining secure door latching
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the adjustment function from the fuselage-mounted fittings and relocates it to the latch mechanism itself. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive external adjustment equipment and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining latching reliability
3Productivity
If a latch and lock configuration is integrated with the lift mechanism, then assembly efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism combines the latch shaft, latch pawl, and lock components into a single integrated assembly that works with the lift mechanism. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly procedures, enhancing assembly efficiency while the internal complexity is managed through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The latch shaft serves multiple functions: it controls the latch pawl engagement, operates the lock mechanism, and coordinates with the vent flap. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining secure door latching
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for latching and locking an aircraft door and associated methods are disclosed. The system comprises a latch and a lock. The latch can be configurable between: a latched configuration where the latch interferes with a lift mechanism for causing lifting of the aircraft door to permit opening of the aircraft door; and an unlatched configuration where the lift mechanism is permitted to cause lifting of the aircraft door. The lock can be configurable between: a locked configuration where a configuration change of the latch from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration is prevented; and an unlocked configuration where the configuration change of the latch from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration is permitted.