Rotary Latch System with Adjustable Plunger for Aerospace
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary latch systems for aerospace applications lack efficient mechanisms for secure closure and easy opening of removable and moveable elements on exterior surfaces of vehicles, such as hatches and doors, often requiring complex mechanisms and limited adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A rotary latch system comprising a base with a planar portion and projection, an elongated plunger, drive shaft, bracket, and closure element, which allows for rotational movement between positions to secure or release structures, utilizing a dog leg and compression springs for adjustable engagement and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary latch system is used for securing aerospace vehicle elements, then secure closure is achieved, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a rotatable plunger with dog legs for engagement, a drive shaft for actuation, and a closure element for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall operational complexity while maintaining secure closure
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system inverts the traditional locking mechanism by using a rotatable plunger that engages with grooves in the closure element. Instead of the closure element actively locking, the plunger rotates to engage and disengage, simplifying the operation to a simple rotational motion while ensuring secure closure
2Ease of manufacture
If a rotary latch system with fixed geometry is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to various door thicknesses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is designed with adjustable positioning along its longitudinal axis, allowing the dog legs to be positioned at different heights. This dynamic adjustability enables the latch to adapt to various door thicknesses while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process for the base components
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of the plunger's operational parameters, specifically the position of the dog legs along the longitudinal axis. This parameter change enables the same base structure to work with different door thicknesses, providing versatility without requiring multiple manufacturing variants
3Volume of moving object
If a compact latch design is used, then space is saved, but the mechanism for engagement and release becomes more difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is positioned within a bore in the base, nesting the actuating mechanism within the fixed structure. The drive shaft extends from the base to provide external access for rotation, allowing the compact nested design to maintain ease of operation through the externally accessible drive shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
A latch (10) includes a base (12) having a bore (22) extending therethrough defining an axis (36), a plunger (150) positioned within the bore (22) and rotatable about the axis (36), a drive shaft (120) positioned adjacent the base (12) and engaged with the plunger (150) such that rotation of the plunger (150) about the axis (36) causes corresponding rotation of the drive shaft (120) about the axis (36), a bracket (70) positioned adjacent the base (12) and the drive shaft (120) and engaged with the drive shaft (120) such that rotation of the drive shaft (120) about the axis (36) causes movement of the bracket (70), and a closure element coupled to the bracket (70) such that movement of the bracket (70) causes the closure element (320) to move between a position wherein the closure element (320) allows a structure to move with respect to an adjacent structure and a position in which the closure element (320) prevents the structure from moving with respect to the adjacent structure.