Latching Handle Assembly with Independent Latch Pivot for Closure Ease
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door and drawer handle locking mechanisms for recreational vehicles and marine craft are often complex, heavy, and difficult to use, requiring linkages that extend from top to bottom and necessitate the handle to be actuated to an open position for closure, which is ergonomically challenging and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A latching handle assembly with a handle and biasing structure that allows movement to a locked position, where the locking latch can pivot independently of the handle, enabling closure without requiring the handle to be actuated to an open position, utilizing a spring mechanism and pivot axis to engage and disengage the locking catch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms with linkages extending from top to bottom of the door are used, then the door can be locked securely, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a handle assembly with a first arm, a locking latch with a second arm and biasing structure, and a locking catch. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining secure locking through the coordinated interaction of these simplified parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex linkage system extending from top to bottom of the door is extracted and replaced with a simplified pivoting latch mechanism. The essential locking function is retained by extracting only the necessary components (handle, latch, catch, and spring) while eliminating unnecessary linkages, thereby reducing device complexity and weight.
2Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms requiring handle actuation to open position for closure are used, then the door can be locked, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to ergonomic challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The locking latch is designed with dynamic characteristics through the biasing structure that automatically returns the latch to the locked position after disengagement. This dynamic behavior allows the latch to move independently from the handle, enabling closure without requiring the handle to be actuated to the open position, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing structure on the locking latch provides self-service by automatically returning the latch to the locked position after the door is closed, without requiring manual intervention or handle actuation. This self-resetting mechanism simplifies the closing operation while ensuring the locking function is reliably re-established.
3Reliability
If locking mechanisms with extensive linkages are used, then the door can be secured, but the weight of the appliance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into minimal necessary components: handle, latch, catch, and spring. This segmentation eliminates heavy linkage structures while maintaining security through the efficient arrangement of these lightweight components, where the latch pivots on a common axis with the handle arm, requiring no additional support linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the structural parameters from extensive rigid linkages to a pivoting mechanism with a common axis, reducing material requirements and overall weight while maintaining the same locking reliability through the biasing structure that ensures positive engagement of the latch with the catch.
4Device complexity
If the locking latch is rigidly connected to the handle, then the structure is simplified, but the ability to allow closure without handle actuation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The locking latch is connected to the handle through a dynamic pivoting connection rather than a rigid connection. The latch and first arm share a common pivot axis, allowing the latch to move independently relative to the handle. This dynamic connection maintains structural simplicity while enabling closure independence, as the biasing structure returns the latch to the locked position without requiring handle movement.
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 provides a reliable and ergonomic locking system that allows for easy closure and opening of doors and drawers, reducing complexity and weight, while enabling partial closure for air circulation when the appliance is not in use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one biasing structure that biases the handle toward a first of two positions, the at least one biasing structure allowing movement of the handle to a second of the two positions
Implementation Method 2
the locking latch is biased independently of the at least one biasing structure during the move independently of the handle
Implementation Method 3
The locking latch and the first arm may be mounted on a common pivot axis and to a first mount
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly which provides a locking latch that pivots with movement of the handle and also pivots independently of movement of the handle in order to allow closure of the drawer or door without requiring that the handle be actuated to an open position for closure.