Aircraft Latch System with Intermediary Coupler and Safety Gate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft latches face challenges in withstanding substantial forces, preventing inadvertent opening due to vibratory forces, and ensuring secure closure in inaccessible locations where visual inspection is impossible.
Innovation Solution
A latching system comprising a command latch assembly and a remotely located slave latch assembly, where the command latch includes a hook latch with a manually movable handle and a pin latch with a safety gate, allowing secure engagement and disengagement with keepers, and a coupler member for synchronized operation between the two latches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch is located in an inaccessible location to secure aircraft members, then the latching function is achieved, but visual inspection to confirm proper closure becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
A command latch assembly acts as an intermediary between the operator and the slave latch assembly in the inaccessible location. The command latch includes a handle visible and accessible to the operator, which through a coupler member transmits motion to operate the slave latch. This intermediary system allows the operator to visually confirm handle position and infer latch status without directly observing the remote latch mechanism.
2Strength
If a latch is subjected to substantial forces during use, then the latching strength is sufficient, but inadvertent opening due to vibratory forces may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The safety gate mechanism provides preliminary anti-action against inadvertent opening. The gate is positioned to block the path of the handle or coupling mechanism, preventing unintentional actuation. A detent or locking feature on the safety gate must be deliberately disengaged before the latch can operate, creating a preliminary barrier against vibratory or accidental forces that might otherwise cause inadvertent opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a safety gate that must be manually moved to an open position before the latch can be actuated. This preliminary action serves as a cushioning measure, ensuring that the latch mechanism is only operable when intentionally prepared by the operator, thereby preventing inadvertent opening from vibratory forces or accidental contact.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a remote latch assembly is used to secure inaccessible locations, then the latch can be positioned remotely, but direct manual operation becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
A coupler member serves as a mechanical intermediary that transmits motion from the accessible command latch handle to the inaccessible slave latch assembly. This coupler can be a rod, cable, or linkage that spans the distance between the two latch locations, allowing the operator to manually operate the remote latch from a convenient, accessible position without requiring direct access to the remote latch mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A latching system for releasably securing a first member to a second member in a closed position. The latching system includes a command latch assembly comprising a hook latch assembly including a handle selectively moveable from a first handle position toward a second handle position and a hook member adapted to selectively engage a first keeper when the handle is in the first handle position and to disengage from the first keeper when the handle is moved to the second handle position. The latching system also includes a remotely located slave latch assembly comprising a pin latch assembly adapted to secure a second keeper to the pin latch assembly when the handle of the hook latch assembly is in the first handle position and to disengage the second keeper when the handle of the hook latch assembly is moved to the second handle position.