Latch Assembly With Spring Clip And Dual Pivot Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous latch assemblies for truck tailgates with removable pivot pins faced issues such as pins becoming lost or binding, making them difficult to remove and replace.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly design featuring a shaft with a striker plate, clasp, handle, and fastening mechanism, where the handle moves about two pivot points and is secured by a spring clip, eliminating the need for removable parts and preventing binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If removable pivot pins are used in the latch assembly, then the tailgate can be opened from the top to dump load further behind the truck, but the pins become lost or binding making them difficult to remove and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the removable pivot pin from the system entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused loss and binding issues. The latch assembly uses a fixed pivot point with a striker plate and clasp mechanism instead, eliminating the need for removable pins while maintaining the ability to open the tailgate from the top.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a removable pin that connects the tailgate to the body, the patent inverts the approach by using a fixed pivot with a striker plate on the tailgate that engages with a clasp on the body. This reverses the traditional latch mechanism while eliminating the removable component problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If removable pivot pins are used in the latch assembly, then the tailgate can be opened from the top to dump load further behind the truck, but the pins become binding making them difficult to remove and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the removable pivot pin from the system entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused loss and binding issues. The latch assembly uses a fixed pivot point with a striker plate and clasp mechanism instead, eliminating the need for removable pins while maintaining the ability to open the tailgate from the top.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly is designed to be self-retaining through the spring-loaded clasp mechanism that automatically engages with the striker plate. The system serves itself by maintaining constant engagement pressure, eliminating the need for removable pins that require manual installation and removal.
3Reliability
If a fixed pivot is used for the tailgate, then the structure is simpler and more reliable, but the tailgate can only open from the bottom limiting load dumping options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the latch function into separate components: a fixed pivot for structural stability, a striker plate on the tailgate, and a clasp mechanism on the body. This segmentation allows the fixed pivot to provide reliability while the additional clasp mechanism enables top-opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly is designed with multi-functionality to handle both bottom-opening and top-opening operations. The fixed pivot supports bottom-opening while the striker plate and clasp mechanism enable top-opening, making the system universal for different tailgate operating modes.
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 design provides a secure and reliable latch assembly that is resistant to binding and does not have loose parts, ensuring easy operation and maintenance by eliminating the need for removable pivot pins.
Implementation Method 1
The first free end is secured by a spring clip of the fastening mechanism to latch the tailgate of the truck
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly for a tailgate of a truck includes a striker plate, a clasp, a handle, and a fastening mechanism. The clasp is attached to the striker plate and defines a first pivot point. The handle includes a first free end and a second anchored end. The second anchored end is attached to the clasp and defines a second pivot point. The first free end of the handle moves about the both the first pivot point and the second pivot point. The first free end is secured by a spring clip of the fastening mechanism to latch the tailgate of the truck.