Rotatable Latch Assembly with Push-Actuated Turret
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical fixtures for securing fold-out panels in aircraft and transportation vehicles face challenges such as accurate alignment, user comfort, and ease of use due to their design, particularly with latches that require precise machining and uncomfortable finger insertion for operation.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a rotational axis and engagement surface that transitions from a stowed to a deployed state upon a pushing force, utilizing a turret assembly and springs to facilitate easy deployment and secure holding of aircraft components, ensuring secure positioning without the need for precise alignment or uncomfortable finger insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slide bar latch is used to secure a fold-out panel, then the panel can be held securely in place, but precise machining and alignment of the slide bar with the panel hole is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting a slide bar into a pre-drilled hole in the panel, the invention inverts the approach by having the latch arm with an engagement surface that receives the panel. The panel is inserted onto the latch arm's engagement surface, and the clamp then secures the panel to the latch arm. This inversion eliminates the need for precise hole machining and alignment, as the panel can be positioned more freely on the engagement surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arm is designed with a cam surface and engagement surface that automatically guide and position the panel during insertion. The cam surface provides a self-aligning mechanism that guides the panel into the correct position as it is inserted, eliminating the need for precise pre-alignment. The spring-loaded clamp automatically engages and secures the panel once inserted.
2Ease of operation
If an embedded clamp is used to secure the panel, then the latch can be operated with one hand, but the user must insert their finger into a tight recess which can be uncomfortable and may pinch
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the finger actuation point from a tight recess (2D constrained space) to the exterior surface of the panel (3D open space). The push button is positioned on the outer surface of the panel, allowing the user to operate the latch from any direction without inserting fingers into confined spaces. This dimensional change eliminates the pinching hazard while maintaining one-hand operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The push button acts as an intermediary between the user's finger and the clamp mechanism. Instead of the finger directly engaging the clamp in a tight recess, the push button transmits the actuation force through a mechanical linkage (cam surface) to open the clamp. This intermediary allows force application from a comfortable, open position while still achieving the desired clamp actuation.
3Ease of operation
If the clamp must be kept open during panel insertion, then the user has only one hand available for positioning, but this increases the complexity of the operation sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is pre-loaded by the spring into the closed position, ready to engage the panel immediately upon insertion. The push button is pre-positioned on the exterior, ready for actuation. This preliminary preparation allows the user to simply insert the panel and then push the button in sequence, rather than having to manually hold the clamp open during insertion. The spring-loaded mechanism performs the work of keeping the clamp open temporarily, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clamp automatically opens when the push button is pressed and automatically closes and latches when the button is released, without requiring manual intervention to hold it open. The cam surface provides automatic guidance and positioning of the panel during insertion. This self-service mechanism simplifies the operation sequence to just two actions: insert panel, then push button.
4Ease of operation
If the clamp is not opened wide enough before panel insertion, then the panel cannot be inserted, but opening it wide requires significant force and precise timing
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism uses a cam surface that provides dynamic, progressive opening motion. When the push button is pressed, the cam surface gradually converts the linear pushing force into rotational motion of the latch arm, progressively opening the clamp. This dynamic mechanism distributes the opening action over the duration of the button press, reducing the peak force required compared to instantaneously opening a wide clamp.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation force is applied in a different dimension (perpendicular to the clamp opening direction) through the push button. The cam surface converts this perpendicular force into the rotational motion needed to open the clamp. This dimensional transformation allows a modest pushing force to generate the torque needed to open the clamp wide, avoiding the need for the user to directly apply large opening forces.
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 latch assembly provides a secure, user-friendly, and efficient mechanism for deploying and stowing aircraft components, enhancing safety and usability by allowing easy operation with one hand and reducing the risk of injury from awkward finger placement.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring positioned underneath the third cartridge to provide an upward force
Implementation Method 2
a second spring connected to the housing and the first cartridge to provide a rotational force about a rotational axis
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly is provided that includes a latch arm having a rotational axis and an engagement surface on a distal end of the latch arm a length from the rotational axis. The engagement surface is stowed in a stowed state of the latch arm. The latch arm is configured to receive a pushing force to depress the latch arm a predetermined distance along the rotational axis. The latch assembly also includes a turret assembly having a top end with the latch arm mounted thereon. The turret assembly is configured to, in response to the pushing force being applied to the latch arm, raise and rotate the latch arm about the rotational axis to thereby transition the latch arm from the stowed state to a deployed state in which the engagement surface is exposed.