Bidirectional Gate Latch Assembly with Pivoting Catch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gate latches in dynamic environments, such as livestock trailers, often fail to securely engage the gate due to relative motion and noise issues, require operator alignment, and are prone to rebound or bypass engagement at high velocities, especially when designed without ramp elements, which are also wider than the gate or wall.
Innovation Solution
A gate latch assembly featuring a pivoting catch member and latch channel member that automatically engages and secures the gate regardless of velocity, reduces noise, and allows movement in either direction, with a cylindrical base and latch channel mechanism that locks into place upon closure, requiring specific operator actions to release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clearances are designed between mating components to allow for latch engagement, then the latch can engage the gate, but small relative motion occurs resulting in noise or rattle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful relative motion by introducing a ramp element that guides the latch member into engagement, eliminating the need for clearances that cause rattle. The ramp structure ensures positive engagement without gaps between mating components.
2Reliability
If the engaging component is forced to move to enact latch engagement, then the gate can be secured, but reaction time is required and high velocity gates can rebound or bypass engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp element performs preliminary action by guiding the latch member into engagement before the gate reaches the closed position. This pre-positioning ensures that the latch is already aligned and ready to engage, eliminating reaction time delays and preventing rebound or bypass at high velocities.
3Reliability
If ramp elements are added to the automatic engaging mechanism, then the latch can engage at high velocity, but the latch becomes significantly wider than the gate or wall
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp element is designed with local quality by concentrating the engagement function in a specific localized area. The ramp has a precise angle and dimension that provides the necessary guidance and engagement force without extending the overall width of the latch assembly beyond the gate or wall dimensions.
4Reliability
If current latches require operator alignment of mating members, then the latch can engage, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly performs self-service through the ramp element that automatically guides the latch member into engagement with the strike plate. The ramp structure provides self-alignment, eliminating the need for operator alignment of mating members and simplifying operation to a single closing motion.
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 gate latch assembly effectively secures the gate against movement in either direction while allowing bidirectional opening, minimizes noise and relative motion, and engages automatically without the need for ramp elements, ensuring secure closure across varying velocities.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is attached to the gate panel and the latch channel member. The spring is biased in a downward direction so that the latch channel member is moved from the released position into the locked position.
Data Source
AI summary
A gate assembly has a gate panel with a hinge, a latch assembly, and a base member connected to a wall. The latch assembly has a catch member for engaging the base member when the gate panel is in a closed position, and a channel member for locking the catch member against rotation. The catch member is rotatable about a vertical axis and has an open channel facing the base member. The channel member has an open channel facing downwardly that can be lowered onto the catch member to prevent rotation. The channel member has released positions in which one side of the channel member is above the catch member to allow the gate panel to open, and another side of the channel member remains below an upper end of the catch member to prevent the catch member from pivoting past the latched position when the gate panel is closed.