Flush Pushbutton Latch with Ball Bearing Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotatable latches for coupling objects are prone to damage and loss due to exposed components that can become entangled with environmental objects, making them unreliable for applications like vehicle hoods where a flush and manually actuated latch is needed.
Innovation Solution
A latching mechanism featuring a large headed object with spherical ball bearings retained in a collar, where a pushbutton assembly encircles the collar to initially prevent the head from escaping, and upon depression, allows the ball bearings to move out of interference, releasing the latch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rotatable latches are used, then objects can be coupled together, but exposed projecting components become entangled with environmental objects and are damaged or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic exposed rotating components from the latch mechanism. Instead of using traditional rotatable latches with projecting parts, the invention extracts only the essential latching function and implements it with a flush-mounted button mechanism that has no exposed components to become entangled with environmental objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a collar with ball bearings that can flexibly move to engage or disengage from the headed object. The ball bearings act as flexible elements that allow the latch to transition between locked and unlocked states without requiring exposed rotating parts, thereby eliminating entanglement hazards while maintaining coupling functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flush-mounted latch is provided, then components are protected from entanglement and damage, but manual actuation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes spherical ball bearings as the core latching elements. These spherical components can easily roll between engaged and disengaged positions when force is applied to the pushbutton, providing smooth and easy manual actuation. The curved geometry of the balls allows them to navigate the transition path between locked and unlocked states with minimal friction and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushbutton assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates user pressure into ball bearing movement. When the user presses the flush-mounted button, this force is transmitted through the collar to move the ball bearings out of engagement with the headed object, enabling easy manual actuation without requiring direct access to or manipulation of the ball bearings themselves.
3Reliability
If ball bearings are used to entrap the headed object, then secure coupling is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated collar component. The collar simultaneously provides structural support, houses the ball bearings, guides their movement, and transmits force from the pushbutton. This merging of functions reduces the overall number of separate parts and simplifies the mechanism while maintaining secure coupling through the ball bearing engagement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that performs several roles: it structures the latch mechanism, contains and positions the ball bearings, transmits actuation force, and provides the flush-mounted pushbutton interface. This universal design approach consolidates what could be multiple separate components into a single integrated unit, reducing complexity while achieving secure coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A latch which for example may secure a closure to an associated receptacle. The latch may comprise a collar which entraps the enlarged head of a large headed object. The collar may have a series of passages formed therein, each of which receives a spherical object such as a ball bearing. The latch may comprise a pushbutton having an annular body bearing a first portion which prevents the ball bearings from moving, and a second portion which gives each ball bearing space to occupy. The ball bearings normally interfere with the enlarged head and entrap the same within the collar. When the pushbutton is depressed, the second portion allows the ball bearings to move out of the interference position, thereby enabling the enlarged head to escape from the collar. Motion of the pushbutton also provides actuating force for moving the ball bearings.