Universal Latch Sensor Layout for Multi-Orientation Status Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latch systems lack the ability to effectively monitor the engaged or disengaged status of latches and the opened or closed status of panels, leading to potential security vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in monitoring enclosure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A universal latch and sensor system that includes a latch with a movable pawl and a sensor capable of sensing the pawl's presence or absence in various orientations, generating signals for engaged or disengaged statuses, and optionally incorporating a light source for illumination, allowing remote monitoring and status indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch system is used without integrated sensing capability, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to monitor latch engagement and panel status is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch mechanism and sensor system into a single integrated assembly. The sensor is positioned within the latch body to detect the position of the latch cam, eliminating the need for separate monitoring devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable status detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical latching and sensing. The sensor can detect both latch engagement status and panel open/close status, providing universal monitoring capability across different operational states without requiring separate specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-orientation sensor is used, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different mounting orientations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to detect the latch cam position regardless of the specific mounting orientation. The sensing mechanism responds to the relative position of the latch cam within its range of motion, adapting to different installation configurations without requiring precise pre-alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is configured to provide universal detection capability across multiple mounting orientations. By detecting the presence and position of the latch cam through its range of motion rather than requiring a fixed geometric relationship, the system achieves versatility in installation while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned close to the latch cam, then the measurement precision is improved, but the risk of mechanical interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the sensor and latch cam. The sensor detects the position of the latch cam through magnetic field interactions rather than direct physical contact, enabling precise status detection while eliminating mechanical interference and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical contact sensing with a non-contact detection method. The sensor detects the latch cam position through its magnetic field or optical field, substituting mechanical interaction with field-based sensing to achieve precise measurement without physical interference.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect of the invention, a universal latch and sensor system is provided for use with an enclosure having a panel and a frame and for latching the panel relative to the frame. The system includes a latch having a body configured to be mounted to the panel or to the frame of the enclosure. The latch also has a pawl movable relative to the body throughout a range of motion including an engaging position and a disengaging position. The system also includes a sensor having a body configured to be mounted to the other of the panel or the frame of the enclosure, the sensor also having a sensing range throughout which it is capable of sensing the pawl of the latch. The sensor and the latch are configured to be mounted in any of a plurality of orientations in which the range of motion of the pawl of the latch at least partially overlaps with the sensing range of the sensor while maintaining a gap between the body of the sensor and the pawl of the latch when the pawl is in the engaging position. The sensor is configured to sense the presence or absence of the pawl of the latch when the sensor and the latch are mounted in any of the orientations and when the pawl of the latch is moved in the range of motion of the pawl to any location within the sensing range of the sensor.