Screen Door Latch Assembly With Interior Push-Button Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recreational vehicle inner screen doors lack an accessible latch mechanism from the interior, requiring the slidable panel to be opened for egress, exposing the vehicle to unwelcome callers.
Innovation Solution
A closable door latch assembly with an inner and outer housing cover, rotatable handles, a latch plunger, and a biasing member that allows the latch to be operated from either side, enabling the inner screen door to be opened without sliding the slidable panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inner screen door uses only an exterior lever-type latch, then the latch mechanism is simple and secure from the exterior, but the latch cannot be accessed from the interior without opening the slidable panel, exposing the vehicle to unwelcome callers
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is segmented into two separate handles: an exterior lever-type latch handle and an interior push-button latch handle. Each handle operates independently but controls the same latch plunger, allowing interior access without exposing the slidable panel opening
Solution Approach 2:
A latch cam with a crank arm acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts the pushing motion of the interior button into rotational motion that moves the latch plunger. This intermediary allows the interior handle to control the latch without requiring direct mechanical connection through the slidable panel opening
2Ease of operation
If the slidable panel is opened to access the exterior lever-type latch from the interior, then the latch becomes accessible, but the recreational vehicle is exposed to unwelcome callers
Solution Approach 1:
The latch control is segmented into two separate locations (exterior and interior), each with its own handle. The interior push-button handle provides access without requiring the slidable panel to be opened, eliminating the security vulnerability while maintaining operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the slidable panel to be opened to access the latch from the interior, the invention inverts the approach by providing a separate interior handle that pushes a button to directly actuate the latch mechanism, making the panel opening unnecessary for interior access
3Reliability
If the latch plunger is spring-biased to the extended latched position, then the door remains securely latched, but the latch requires additional mechanism to release from the latched position
Solution Approach 1:
The latch cam is positioned and oriented so that normal door closing motion automatically performs the preliminary action of rotating the cam to the correct position. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex release mechanisms while maintaining secure latching through spring bias
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through the spring bias that automatically maintains the latched position. The cam and crank arm geometry is designed so that the door's own closing motion provides the energy to rotate the cam and engage the latch, eliminating the need for additional motors or complex release mechanisms
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
Provides secure and convenient access to the latch from the interior, maintaining privacy and protection without exposing the vehicle, while allowing seamless operation with the exterior door as a single unit.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member mounted within the housing urges the latch plunger to an extended position
Implementation Method 2
A latch cam is operably coupled with each of the rotatable inside door latch handle and the rotatable outside door latch handle, and includes a crank arm slidably disposed against the inclined surface of the plunger leg
Data Source
AI summary
A door latch assembly includes a housing, an inside and outside handle operably coupled with the housing, and a latch plunger. A latch cam is operably coupled with the inside and outside handles, and the latch cam further includes a crank arm slidably disposed against an inclined surface of an offset plunger leg operably coupled to the latch plunger. A biasing member urges the latch plunger to an extended position, wherein rotation of the inside or outside door latch handle in a first direction rotates the crank arm of the latch cam and displaces the plunger leg of the latch plunger and the latch plunger to a retracted position against the urging of the biasing member.