Enclosure Latch Visual Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic latch systems for furniture require a power supply, either hardwired or battery-powered, which limits their usability and lacks visual feedback on lock status, making them inconvenient and inefficient in terms of power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A latch system with a self-contained housing and actuating lever that provides visual feedback on lock status without requiring electric current, using a battery-powered design with a capacitive sensor to conserve power and an indicator lever to show locked or unlocked positions through a window, allowing easy conversion between shared and assigned use modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a light or LED is used to indicate lock status continuously, then visual feedback is provided to users, but battery power is consumed rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator light is activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The system provides visual feedback only when needed (e.g., when door position changes or lock status changes), significantly reducing battery consumption while maintaining effective communication of lock status to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical latch system provides inherent visual feedback through its own structure (such as visible latch engagement or door position indicators) without requiring additional powered indicators. The system uses its mechanical state itself to communicate status, eliminating the need for continuous electrical illumination.
2Ease of operation
If electronic controls and actuation are used to provide secure access control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and power supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex electronic systems and implements it through a simplified mechanical latch mechanism. By removing unnecessary electronic components while retaining core functionality, the system achieves ease of operation without the complexity and power requirements of fully electronic access control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic actuation mechanisms with a mechanical latch system that uses spring-loaded arms, cam mechanisms, and friction-based engagement. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for motors, sensors, and power supplies while maintaining secure access control through purely mechanical means.
3Ease of operation
If batteries are used to power the electronic latch system, then installation flexibility is improved, but operational duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inexpensive, easily replaceable battery compartments that can be quickly swapped when depleted. Rather than designing for extended battery life, the system accepts short battery duration and provides simple user-friendly battery replacement mechanisms, treating batteries as disposable consumables rather than long-term power sources.
Data Source
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AI summary
A latch system has a latch hook pivotably mounted in the housing between a closed position and an open position. It further includes an actuating lever pivotably mounted in the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the actuating lever is in the locked position and the latch hook is in the closed position, the actuating lever maintains the latch hook in the closed position, and when the actuating lever is in the unlocked position, the actuating lever does not interfere with movement of the latch hook between the open position and the closed position. The system can further include a mechanical indicator, and when the actuating lever is in the locked position, the indicator provides a locked indication, and when the actuating lever is in the unlocked indication position, the indicator provides an unlocked indication.