Aircraft Flush Latch with Color-Coded Visual Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft exterior latches lack a reliable and visually clear indication of their locked or unlocked status, making it difficult to determine the latch position without physical manipulation, and they do not provide a flush surface with the aircraft body while meeting aerodynamic requirements.
Innovation Solution
A flush mount latch with a rotatable lock member and a visual indicator system using color-coded indicia and physical location changes to indicate locked or unlocked states, ensuring visibility of the latch position without relying on color differentiation, and incorporating a lock member retention structure with an inclined ramp for positive locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the latch is designed to be flush mounted with the aircraft panel to meet aerodynamic requirements, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but it becomes difficult to visually determine whether the latch is locked or unlocked without physical manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-coded visual indicators (red and green dots) that change position or alignment based on the latch state. When the latch is locked, specific colored dots align in a particular pattern; when unlocked, the alignment changes. This allows operators to determine latch status at a glance without touching the flush-mounted latch, resolving the contradiction between aerodynamic flush mounting and status visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the latch status indication by using colored indicators positioned on the flush surface. Instead of relying on the three-dimensional position of mechanical components (which are hidden in flush mounting), the system projects status information onto the two-dimensional surface plane through strategically placed colored dots that can be seen from a distance.
2Reliability
If the latch provides a positive locking feature for secure fastening, then the locking reliability is improved, but the ease of operation to open and close the latch deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lock member as an intermediary component between the operator and the main latch mechanism. The lock member can be manipulated with a simple tool (like a hex key) to engage or disengage the locking function. This intermediary allows the operator to achieve secure locking through a simple rotational motion rather than complex manual manipulation of the main latch, resolving the contradiction between secure locking and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock member is designed to be rotatable, providing dynamic operation. The lock member can rotate between locked and unlocked positions, and this rotational motion automatically triggers the engagement or disengagement of the locking mechanism. The dynamic rotation provides mechanical advantage, allowing a small input force to generate sufficient locking force for secure fastening.
3Loss of information
If the latch provides clear visual indication of locked or unlocked status, then the information reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple color-coded dots (red and green) positioned on the latch surface to indicate status. The colored dots are passive visual elements that change their apparent alignment or position based on the latch state, rather than requiring active illumination or complex signaling mechanisms. This provides clear status information while adding minimal complexity to the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator system is self-service in that it automatically displays the latch status without requiring external power sources, control systems, or operator intervention. The colored dots are passively positioned by the mechanical state of the latch itself, so the information display is a natural byproduct of the latch's operational state rather than a separately controlled system.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft panel latch comprises an upper latch member comprising a rotatable lock member, a lock member movement means, and a lock position visual indicator. The lower latch member is mounted to a support structure. The lower latch and the upper latch members are pivotally connected. The lower latch member comprises a lock member retention structure. The visual indicator can comprise color coded indicia, where the alignment of a first color set indicates an unlocked position and the alignment of a second color set indicates a locked position. The visual indicator can comprise the physical location of the lock member movement means relative to the lock member. The visual indicator can comprise the physical location of the lock member movement means in combination with the colored indicia. The lock member retention structure can further comprise a ramp, a spring, or both a ramp and spring. The latch can be locked and unlocked using a hex tool.