Compartment Door Latch Assembly for Reliable Keyless Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compartment door latches with keyless lock mechanisms in recreational vehicles experience operational issues, particularly with slam door latch assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A compartment door latch assembly featuring a plunger actuated by a manually operated paddle handle, an electrically actuated lock bolt, and a controller for secure locking and unlocking, allowing keyless operation and enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a keyless lock mechanism is used in a slam door latch assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between manual paddle handle operation and electric motor operation based on the state of the lock bolt. The manual paddle handle provides direct mechanical control when the lock bolt is retracted, while the electric motor engages when the lock bolt is extended, creating a dynamic operational mode that resolves the reliability issues of purely keyless mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock bolt serves as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the manual paddle handle and the electric motor. It determines which actuation method is active at any given time, allowing the system to combine the reliability of manual operation with the convenience of electric actuation, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If a combination of manual and electrically actuated mechanisms is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle handle serves multiple functions: it can manually retract the lock bolt, manually operate the plunger when the lock bolt is retracted, and serve as a mechanical interface for the electric motor when the lock bolt is extended. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the manual paddle handle mechanism with the electric motor actuation system into a unified locking mechanism. Both actuation methods share common components such as the lock bolt, plunger, and cam mechanisms, which integrates the complexity rather than adding separate independent systems, thus improving reliability while controlling device complexity.
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 provides secure, keyless operation and enhanced security for compartment doors, ensuring reliable locking and unlocking through a combination of manual and electrically actuated mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member may be operably coupled with the plunger and urging the plunger to the extended position
Implementation Method 2
an electrically actuated motor and a motor actuator operably coupled with the lock bolt
Data Source
AI summary
A compartment door latch includes a housing and a plunger mounted within the housing. The plunger has an extended position and a retracted position, and a resilient member urges the plunger to the extended position. A manually actuated exterior latch paddle handle mounted to an outer face of the outer housing is operably coupled with a paddle cam and a plunger cam is operably coupled with the paddle cam and the plunger. A lock bolt driver is operably coupled with a key lock and operably coupled with a lock bolt adapted to prevent movement of the plunger in a locked position. An electrically actuated motor and motor actuator operably coupled with the lock bolt, where a controller actuates the motor electrically actuated motor and motor actuator. The lock bolt is selectively displaceable between a locked position and the unlocked position by either the key lock or the controller.