Latch Device Illumination and State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat belt latch devices cannot confirm the latched state of vertical locking disks via central control consoles, making it difficult to ensure safety, especially in dark environments, and may not comply with safety regulations due to undetected lock cylinder malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A latch device with a housing unit, disk unit, electromagnetic lock unit, pressing lock unit, detecting unit, and illuminating unit, which includes detectors to confirm the latched state of vertical disks and an illuminator for visibility in dark conditions, ensuring secure engagement and preventing accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If dark ambient condition is used in haptic simulation theater, then customers can enjoy realistic experiences, but customers cannot find and latch the latch device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies illumination by adding light-emitting components (such as LEDs) to the latch device or surrounding area, changing the optical properties of the environment to provide visible guidance without altering the overall dark ambient condition. This allows customers to locate and operate the latch device while maintaining the immersive dark environment for realistic experiences.
2Device complexity
If conventional latch structure is used, then device complexity is low, but latched state cannot be confirmed via central control console
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces detecting units that monitor the latched state of vertical locking disks and provide feedback signals to the central control console. This feedback mechanism enables real-time confirmation of latched state without significantly increasing the physical complexity of the latch structure, as the detection system uses simple positional sensors and signal transmission components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs detecting units and signal transmission components as intermediaries between the latch mechanism and the central control console. These intermediaries convert the mechanical latched state into detectable signals that can be transmitted and processed by the control system, enabling remote monitoring without direct mechanical connection.
3Device complexity
If single lock cylinder is used, then device complexity is low, but safety reliability is insufficient when breakdown occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the locking function into multiple independent vertical locking disks (at least two), each capable of independent operation and detection. This segmentation allows the system to maintain safety functionality even if one locking mechanism fails, as the remaining functional disks continue to provide secure latching. The central control console can also identify which specific disk has failed for targeted maintenance.
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 solution allows for reliable confirmation of the latched state and prevents accidents by transmitting latched state information to the central control console and providing illumination in dark environments, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and preventing the continued use of malfunctioned latch devices.
Implementation Method 1
two electromagnetic mechanisms fixed inside the housing, two retractable bars respectively connected to the two electromagnetic mechanisms, and two electromagnetic latches respectively connected to the two retractable bars
Data Source
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AI summary
A latch device comprises a housing unit (3), a disk unit (4), an electromagnetic lock unit (5), a pressing lock unit (6), and a detecting unit (7). The housing unit includes a housing (31), which has a pressing hole (32) and an insertion slot (33). The disk unit includes a supporting rod (41) positioned through the housing, and two vertical disks (42) pivotally arranged to the supporting rod. The outer perimeter of the two disks is placed with a hook (421), a first engaging portion (422) and a second engaging portion (423). The electromagnetic lock unit includes two electromagnetic mechanisms (51), two retractable bars (52) connected to the two electromagnetic mechanisms, and two electromagnetic latches (53) respectively connected to the two retractable bars. The pressing lock unit includes a pushbutton (61), and a button latch (62) connected to the pushbutton. The detecting unit includes two detectors (71), which are disposed inside the housing for detecting the position of the two electromagnetic latches.