Guided Latch Assembly for Fast, Vibration-Resistant Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional latch assemblies for airplanes are difficult to assemble and disassemble, have poor connection stability, and are prone to causing safety hazards due to devices falling off during turbulence.

Innovation Solution

A latch assembly with a latch body and guiding plate featuring multiple positioning holes and convex embedding blocks, a clamper, and an elastic clamping mechanism that securely clamps the guiding plate, providing stability and anti-shock performance, and allowing for efficient assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the latch structure has a complex structure to improve connection stability, then the connection stability is improved, but the assembly and disassembly difficulty increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch structure is divided into independent functional modules: positioning holes for location, embedding blocks for connection, and clamper for locking. Each module performs a specific function, achieving high connection stability through simple geometric shapes rather than complex integrated structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The embedding blocks are inserted into the positioning holes, and the clamper is nested on the guiding plate to form a layered securing structure. This nested arrangement achieves stable connection with minimal components, avoiding the need for complex external support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the latch structure has a complex structure to improve connection stability, then the connection stability is improved, but the assembly and disassembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is segmented into independent components (latch body, guiding plate, clamper) that can be assembled separately and quickly connected through simple insertion and clamping actions, reducing assembly time while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning holes and embedding blocks are pre-configured with matching geometries, allowing the latch body to be quickly positioned and secured without requiring complex alignment procedures or multiple adjustment steps during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the latch structure simplifies assembly and disassembly to improve efficiency, then the assembly and disassembly efficiency is improved, but the connection stability degrades and anti-shake performance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassembly efficiencyVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamper provides dynamic locking capability that adapts to vibration and shock conditions. The elastic clamping mechanism maintains continuous contact force between the latch components, ensuring stable connection during airplane turbulence while allowing quick release when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple securing functions (positioning, embedding, clamping) are merged into a single integrated latch assembly. The positioning holes provide location, the embedding blocks provide mechanical connection, and the clamper provides locking - all working together in one compact unit to achieve both efficiency and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If the latch structure simplifies assembly and disassembly to improve efficiency, then the assembly and disassembly efficiency is improved, but the anti-shake performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassembly efficiencyVSAvoidanti-shake performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic clamping mechanism dynamically adjusts to vibration and shock forces, maintaining continuous clamping force on the guiding plate. This dynamic response ensures the latch remains securely connected during airplane turbulence while preserving simple assembly and disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamper is pre-configured to apply clamping force that counteracts anticipated vibration and shock loads during flight. This preliminary anti-action prevents the latch components from separating under turbulence conditions while maintaining the simple structural design for efficient assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3279483B1Latch assembly
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 THALES CETC AVIONICS CO LTD
  • EP3279483B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3279483B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3279483B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A latch assembly is provided according to the present application, which includes a latch body (1) and a guiding plate (2). The latch body (1) is provided with a latch end (3) configured to connect a device, and the guiding plate (2) is provided with multiple positioning holes (4), the latch body (1) is provided with multiple convex embedding blocks (5) matching with the multiple positioning holes (4) respectively, the latch body (1) is further provided with a clamper, and after the multiple embedding blocks of the latch body are inserted into the multiple positioning holes respectively, the clamper clamps the guiding plate (2) to achieve the connection. The latch assembly has a simple and compact structure, occupies a small volume, can be assembled and disassembled conveniently with a high efficiency, saves operation time and operation efforts.