Bifurcated Aircraft Latch System for Redundant Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerospace latches face challenges in securely holding aircraft structures under significant forces while allowing for easy access to engine mechanisms, as existing designs often fail to balance strength and operational simplicity.
Innovation Solution
A bifurcated latching system comprising a pin latch assembly and a pawl latch assembly, which includes a pin latch receptacle and pin matingly engageable with each other, and a pawl latch receptacle and pawl latch pin with biased pawls for secure engagement and easy release, allowing for flexible and secure closure of aircraft components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single latch assembly is used to secure aircraft structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and strength under significant forces are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system is divided into two independent latch assemblies (first latch assembly and second latch assembly) that operate in parallel. Each assembly consists of a latch member, pawl, and spring, providing redundant securing mechanisms. This segmentation increases reliability by ensuring that if one latch fails, the other can still maintain the secured position, while keeping each individual latch assembly relatively simple in design.
2Strength
If a latch system is designed for high strength under significant forces, then the strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system incorporates springs that automatically engage the pawls with the latch members when the housing is closed, providing self-latching action without requiring manual intervention for engagement. The springs provide the necessary force to maintain the latched position under significant loads, while the operator only needs to manually disengage the pawls to open the housing, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving high strength.
3Reliability
If a latch system uses multiple pawls for secure engagement, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each latch assembly contains a single pawl that works with its corresponding latch member, dividing the engagement function into separate, simple units. The two latch assemblies operate independently but symmetrically, providing redundant engagement without requiring complex multi-pawl mechanisms within a single assembly. This segmentation maintains reliability through redundancy while keeping individual component complexity low.
Data Source
AI summary
A bifurcated latching system for securing together first and second portions of an aircraft, the bifurcated latching system comprising a pin latch assembly and a pawl latch assembly. The pin latch assembly comprises a pin latch receptacle and a pin in mating engagement. The pawl latch assembly comprises a pawl latch receptacle and a pawl latch pin in mating engagement. The pawl latch assembly further comprises one or more pawls configured to releasably secure the matting engagement of the pawl latch receptacle and the pawl latch pin.