Latch Assembly with Selective Biasing Member for Handedness Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latch systems for hinged barriers require users to consider the handing of the barrier, leading to confusion and frustration, as they typically need to be almost completely disassembled to switch between left- and right-handed configurations.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a field-handable handle and latch that allows for configuration change without substantial disassembly, featuring a rose, a handle, a latch, and at least one biasing member that can be connected or disconnected to pivot the latch between latched and unlatched positions, as well as between left- and right-handed configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the latch is designed with fixed left-handed or right-handed configuration, then the latch provides reliable latching function, but the user must completely disassemble the latch to switch between configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The latch body is divided into separable components including a rose portion and a latch portion that can be easily detached from each other. The biasing member is also segmented to allow selective engagement with different components. This segmentation enables users to switch between left-handed and right-handed configurations by simply detaching and reattaching components rather than completely disassembling the entire latch mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch design incorporates dynamic elements that allow the configuration to be changed in the field. The biasing member can be selectively engaged or disengaged from different components (rose or latch portion) to dynamically switch the handedness configuration. This dynamic capability allows the latch to adapt to different installation scenarios without requiring complete disassembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the latch requires complete disassembly to change handedness, then the latch structure remains simple, but the installation time and user frustration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch components are pre-designed with standardized connection interfaces and the biasing member is pre-configured to engage with either the rose or the latch portion. This preliminary design preparation allows users to quickly switch configurations by simply performing the final connection action without needing to disassemble and reassemble multiple components, significantly reducing the time required for configuration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is extracted as a separate, independently controllable element that can be selectively engaged with different components. This extraction allows the configuration change to be accomplished by simply moving or reengaging the biasing member rather than manipulating the entire latch assembly, thereby reducing the time and complexity of configuration changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the biasing member is permanently connected to the rose, then the latch maintains stable latching function, but the latch cannot be reconfigured for different handedness
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member serves as an intermediary element between the rose and the latch portion, rather than being permanently connected to either component. This intermediary role allows the biasing member to mediate the connection and enable configuration changes by selectively engaging with different components while maintaining the latching function. The intermediary design ensures that reliability is maintained through proper engagement while adaptability is achieved through selective reconfiguration.
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
Enables efficient and simplified handing of the latch assembly by allowing configuration changes without complete disassembly, reducing user frustration and improving installation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one biasing member disposed within the rose and engaged with the first end of the latch, the at least one biasing member selectively connectable to the rose, wherein when the at least one biasing member is connected to the rose, the latch is pivotable around the rotation axis between a latched position and an unlatched position via the handle, the latch being biased towards the latched position
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly includes a rose, a handle rotatably coupled to the rose and rotatable around a rotation axis, and a latch. A biasing member is disposed within the rose and engaged with the latch. The biasing member being selectively connectable to the rose. When the biasing member is connected to the rose, the latch is pivotable around the rotation axis between a latched position and an unlatched position via the handle. The latch biased towards the latched position. When the biasing member is disconnected from the rose, the handle and the latch are rotatable together around the rotation axis between at least a left-handed configuration and a right-handed configuration. The biasing member connecting to the rose to secure the handle and the latch in either the left-handed configuration or the right-handed configuration.