Pressure Relief Latch With Spring-Loaded Roller Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft components, such as engine cowlings, face challenges with pressure relief latches that do not automatically open until high internal pressures are reached, limiting maintenance access and risking overpressure failure.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief latch design featuring a first housing with a pivotable handle and safety release, a roller support with a locking pin and roller, and a second housing with compression springs and a keeper, allowing automatic opening under predetermined pressure conditions while maintaining secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the latch is designed to automatically open only at high predetermined pressure values, then the structural integrity and pressure containment are improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance personnel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system employs dynamic characteristics through the spring-loaded roller mechanism that can adapt its locking force. The compression spring allows the roller to be pressed against the keeper with sufficient force for secure closure, but releases automatically when pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold, enabling both secure containment and automatic pressure relief
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter threshold at which the latch transitions from locked to unlocked state. The spring force is calibrated to maintain engagement at normal operating pressures but disengage when pressure reaches the predetermined maximum, allowing maintenance personnel to access the system at any time by manually overcoming the spring force
2Ease of operation
If the latch uses a simple manual release mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to prevent overpressure automatically deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system performs self-service through the automatic pressure relief function. The spring-loaded roller mechanism automatically detects when internal pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold and releases the latch without human intervention, allowing the system to protect itself from overpressure damage while maintaining simple manual operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the spring-loaded roller that continuously responds to internal pressure changes. When pressure builds up, the roller is forced away from the keeper, and at the predetermined threshold, the spring force overcomes the pressure force, causing automatic latch release. This feedback mechanism ensures automatic overpressure prevention while maintaining operational simplicity
3Reliability
If the latch mechanism incorporates multiple safety features and automatic pressure relief, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated latch mechanism. The handle, roller support, compression spring, and locking pin work together as one cohesive unit that provides both manual operation and automatic pressure relief. This consolidation achieves reliable safe operation without excessive complexity by combining safety features into the basic latch structure rather than adding separate systems
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 safe and easy manual operation while automatically opening to prevent overpressure, ensuring structural integrity and facilitating maintenance by disengaging the latch when necessary pressure is reached.
Implementation Method 1
The second housing includes a compression spring and a keeper extending away from the compression spring
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure relief latch includes a first housing, the first housing having a handle pivotably attached, and a safety release with a hook. A roller support is slidingly engaged with the first housing and linked to the handle. The roller support has a locking pin, and has a roller attached to one end. A second housing includes a spring and a keeper extending away from the spring. When the latch is in use, the keeper of the second housing and the roller of the first housing are engaged when the latch is in the closed position. The hook of the safety release engages the locking pin of the roller support when the latch is in the closed position, preventing upward rotation of the handle. When the safety release is actuated, the hook disengages the locking pin. Upward rotation of the handle causes the roller and the keeper to disengage.