Retractable Carriage Latch Geometry for Secure Full Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retractable communication and power centers face issues with mechanical latch deterioration and weak latching capability, leading to reliability and performance problems, as well as high manufacturing costs and limited longevity.
Innovation Solution
A data and power system featuring an inner carriage side panel with a pivot point, a latch with specific slot and extension configurations, and a carriage spring mechanism that ensures robust latching strength and durability, allowing the system to open fully and lock securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a stronger spring is used to improve latching strength, then the latching capability is improved, but the latch fails and the communication and power centers cannot be locked in the closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the latch mechanism by introducing an angled slot instead of a traditional circular slot. This geometric parameter change allows the latch to achieve both strong latching capability and reliability by modifying the interaction between the latch and latching pin during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled slot creates a dynamic latching mechanism where the position and orientation of the latching pin relative to the slot changes during operation. This dynamic interaction allows the system to achieve both strong latching when closed and reliable operation without failure.
2Reliability
If a weaker spring is used to improve latch reliability, then the latch reliability is improved, but the ability to open fully fails resulting in opening only halfway
Solution Approach 1:
The angled slot geometry changes the mechanical parameters of the latching system, allowing weaker springs to achieve both full opening capability and reliable operation. The angled configuration modifies the force distribution and movement trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled slot introduces a dimensional change in the latching mechanism's operation path. Instead of simple radial movement, the latching pin follows an angled trajectory, enabling full opening with weaker spring force while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional latch designs are used to reduce manufacturing costs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but mechanical failure and deterioration occur reducing longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The angled slot design modifies key geometric parameters of the latch mechanism, improving longevity while maintaining manufacturability. The design uses standard manufacturing processes but changes critical dimensions and angles to reduce stress concentrations and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality improvement by specifically modifying the slot geometry where stress and wear occur most frequently. The angled slot configuration addresses the critical wear zone while leaving other parts of the latch mechanism simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
4Device complexity
If the latch mechanism is simplified to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but latching strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The angled slot is a simple geometric parameter change that achieves enhanced latching strength without adding mechanical complexity. The solution modifies the shape and orientation of an existing feature rather than adding new components or mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled slot effectively segments the latching operation into distinct phases (engagement, latching, opening) through its geometry, achieving complex functional behavior through a simple geometric division rather than multiple mechanical components.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method can include: providing an inner carriage side panel having a pivot point; coupling a latch to the inner carriage side panel, the latch having a round slot, an angled slot, a round bottom, a first extension, and a second extension; coupling an outer carriage side panel to the pivot point of the inner carriage side panel the outer carriage side panel including a latching pin extending therefrom, the latching pin positioned to sit in the round slot based on the inner carriage side panel being in a closed configuration, and the latching pin positioned to fit within the angled slot based on the inner carriage side panel transitioning to an open configuration; and attaching a carriage bottom panel to the inner carriage side panel.