Aircraft Galley Primary Latch Mechanism With Automatic Neutral Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft galley insert doors require significant manual effort for latching and unlatching, especially during safety-critical phases like turbulence and landing, and existing automatic solutions rely on secondary latches that are not the primary mechanism for user input operations.
Innovation Solution
A door assembly with a primary latch mechanism featuring a rotatable plate, electrically operated actuator, and sensor assembly that automatically secures and releases the door, allowing for hands-free operation and enhanced safety through a neutral position to prevent accidental opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual latching is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to significant time spent by crew members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional purely mechanical latch operation with an electrically actuated system. The electric motor (220) converts electrical energy to rotational mechanical energy, which drives the rotatable plate (210) to move the latching rod (202), thereby substituting manual mechanical operation with an automated electromechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic door latching through the sensor assembly (230) detecting door closure and automatically activating the electric actuator to engage the latch, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The sensor system self-monitors door position and triggers the latching sequence autonomously.
2Ease of operation
If automatic latching is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable plate (210) serves multiple functions: it converts rotational motion from the electric actuator into linear motion of the latching rod, provides a mechanical advantage through its lever arm, and acts as a coupling element between the electrical and mechanical systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable plate (210) acts as an intermediary mechanism between the electric motor (220) and the latching rod (202). It translates the rotational output of the motor into the linear motion required for the latching rod, serving as a mechanical mediator that bridges the electrical actuation system and the latching function.
3Reliability
If secondary latch is added for safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The neutral position of the latching rod provides a preliminary intermediate state between latched and unlatched positions. This intermediate position allows the door to be securely held without full engagement, providing a safety buffer and preventing accidental full latching while maintaining door closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is segmented into distinct positional states: unlatched position, neutral position, and latched position. This segmentation allows for controlled progression through states, with the neutral position serving as an intermediate safety state that prevents accidental full engagement while maintaining door closure.
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 system significantly reduces manual labor for latching and unlatching, ensuring secure door closure and facilitating automatic operation during critical phases, while maintaining user control and safety through a secondary latch mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically operated actuator comprises an electrical motor, e.g. a rotary motor arranged to rotate the actuator
Implementation Method 2
the rotatable plate is configured to convert a rotational movement into linear movement of the latching rod
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising a door assembly configured to be installed within an aircraft galley, the door assembly including: a door body which is moveable between a closed position and an open position; and a primary latch mechanism configured to secure the door body in the closed position. The primary latch mechanism is moveable between a latched position, a neutral position and an unlatched position. The primary latch mechanism includes: a rotatable plate, an electrically operated actuator mechanically coupled to the rotatable plate and configured to rotate the rotatable plate, a handle mechanically coupled to the rotatable plate and configured to rotate the rotatable plate, and a latching rod coupled to the rotatable plate, wherein the rotatable plate is configured to convert a rotational movement into linear movement of the latching rod such that the door assembly may be latched and unlatched.