Bar Latch System for Animal Enclosure Gates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal housing units often lack secure and accessible door mechanisms that allow easy entry for maintenance and animal care while preventing escape or intrusion, especially for small animals.
Innovation Solution
A fence door assembly with a bar latch system that includes a rotatable door frame, dual top horizontal wires, and a bidirectional gravity latch assembly, providing secure closure and easy access by allowing the door to be locked and unlocked through a hinge mechanism and latch system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple door mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but security and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the door closes and can be released by lifting the door upward. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex locking procedures while maintaining security, as the latch automatically secures the door and the release mechanism is simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system incorporates dynamic elements including a movable latch bolt that engages with a receiver, and a door that can move between closed and open positions. The hinge hooks allow the door to swing, and the upward lifting motion releases the latch, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different operational states while maintaining security when closed.
2Reliability
If a complex latch mechanism is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the door itself, hinge hooks for attachment, a latch mechanism with separate latch bolt and receiver, and a bar latch system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability through coordinated operation of simple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is extracted as a separate, dedicated component from the door structure, allowing it to be designed and maintained independently. The bar latch is also a separate element that provides additional security without complicating the main door assembly, as it can be engaged and disengaged independently of the primary latch system.
3Reliability
If a secure door system is used, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the door closes, eliminating the need for manual locking operations. The release mechanism allows the door to be opened by simply lifting it upward, which naturally disengages the latch. This self-service design maintains security through automatic engagement while keeping operation simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring a downward or inward motion to release the latch (which would add complexity), the system is designed so that lifting the door upward releases the latch. This inverted operation leverages the natural weight and motion of the door to simplify the opening action while maintaining secure closure when the door is in its normal closed position.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures secure closure of the door, preventing animal escape while allowing easy human access for maintenance and care, with the bar latch system providing stability and rigidity to the door frame, and the bidirectional gravity latch enabling efficient opening and closing.
Implementation Method 1
bidirectional gravity latch assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A bar latch including a top portion including and inner and outer surface, a latch retaining aperture disposed in a fore end of the top portion and extending between the inner and outer surface, a first side portion connected to the top portion at a first angle relative to the top portion, where the first side portion includes a first arm extending beyond an aft end of the top portion, and a second side portion connected to the top portion at a second angle relative to the top portion and substantially equal but opposite to the first angle, where the second side portion includes a second arm that extends beyond the aft end of the top portion, wherein an inner surface of the first side portion, an inner surface of the second side portion, and the inner surface of the top portion collectively form a channel extending along the inner surface of the top portion, and wherein the bar latch is configured to be rotatably coupled to a door frame, the bar latch rotatable relative to the door frame between an open and a closed position.