Push Latch Blocking Hammer Counterweight Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Push/push latches in transportation vehicles tend to unlatch under high forces, such as during vehicle collisions, and existing solutions like blocking plates can deform or fail to engage properly under extreme conditions, while also being ineffective in low force situations.
Innovation Solution
A push latch design featuring a pivotally mounted blocking hammer with a counter-weight and tacky resin bumpers that rotate into position to prevent unlatching during high g-force events, using a biasing spring to maintain the blocking position and reduce noise and rebound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking plate is used to prevent the pin from moving during high force events, then the latch reliability under high force is improved, but the pin may be severed or deformed preventing future use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blocking plate as an intermediary component between the pin and the external force. The blocking plate absorbs and distributes the high force during collision events, preventing direct transmission of severe stress to the pin. This mediator approach allows the latch to maintain reliability under high force while protecting the pin from severance or deformation that would prevent future use.
2Reliability
If a blocking plate is used to prevent unlatching during high force events, then the latch reliability is improved, but the plate may not move rapidly enough during low force situations
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking plate is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to respond differently based on the magnitude of applied force. The plate is positioned and dimensioned to move rapidly when moderate force is applied (such as during normal operation or low force situations), while providing robust blocking during high force events. This dynamic design ensures both rapid response when needed and adequate protection under extreme conditions.
3Reliability
If the hammer is designed to rotate into blocking position during high g-force events, then the latch prevents unlatching under high force, but the hammer may rebound and fail to maintain blocking position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a bumper as a cushioning element positioned to engage the hammer when it rotates into the blocking position. This beforehand cushioning absorbs the hammer's kinetic energy and prevents rebound, ensuring the hammer remains in the blocking position throughout the entire force event. The bumper is strategically placed to provide this stabilizing effect without interfering with normal latch operation.
4Reliability
If the hammer rotates freely to block the latch during high force events, then the latch responds to high force conditions, but noise is generated from the hammer hitting and rebounding
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is positioned to engage the hammer before it can freely hit and rebound against opposing surfaces. This beforehand cushioning absorbs the impact energy and dampens vibrations, significantly reducing noise generation. The bumper allows the hammer to rotate into the blocking position while providing controlled engagement that eliminates the harmful noise from uncontrolled hammer impact and rebound.
Data Source
AI summary
The instant disclosure provides a push latch having a pivotally mounted blocking hammer including a head with a lever arm extending away from the head to a counter-weight. Under normal operating conditions, the hammer is held in an inert/balanced condition. Under such normal conditions, a portion of the hammer head may be in periodic contact with a resin of tacky character defining a bumper to aid in dampening vibration. Upon the occurrence of a high impact force, the rotational force provided by the counterweight is sufficient to cause the hammer to rotate into blocking relation relative to the latching mechanism so as to prevent unlatching. In the rotated condition, the counterweight may be in contact with an optional resin of tacky character defining a bumper to reduce rebound action.