One-Handed Sliding Door Latch with Pivoting Release Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door latch systems fail to provide a convenient and safe method for securing and releasing sliding doors in recreational vehicles, often requiring two hands and not ensuring a secure closed position.
Innovation Solution
A two-part latch assembly comprising a channel-shaped latch base and a pivotally coupled handle, where the handle's lift portion releases the door stile from the latch base, allowing the door to be easily opened with one hand by simultaneously pushing it away from the doorjamb.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional sliding door latch system is used, then the door can be secured in a closed position, but it requires two hands to operate and is not convenient for one-handed use
Solution Approach 1:
The latch handle is designed to pivot between a retracted position (where it engages the door stile) and an extended position (where it releases the door). This dynamic movement allows a single hand to easily pivot the handle, which simultaneously disengages the latch mechanism and pushes the door open, resolving the contradiction between ease of one-handed operation and reliable securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab portion of the handle automatically pushes the door away from the doorjamb when the handle is pivoted to release the latch. This self-service action eliminates the need for a second hand to manually push the door open, while the spring member ensures the latch automatically re-engages when the handle returns to its original position, maintaining security reliability.
2Reliability
If the latch mechanism is made more secure, then the door is better secured, but the operation becomes more complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism merges the securing function and the pushing function into a single integrated handle assembly. The handle both latches the door when retracted and pushes the door open when extended, eliminating the need for separate complex mechanisms while maintaining security through the simple engagement of the handle with the door stile.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing function is extracted from the main handle body and implemented through a separate tab portion that extends from the handle. This tab engages with the door during the pivoting motion to provide the pushing action, simplifying the overall mechanism by separating the latching and pushing functions into distinct but coordinated elements.
3Ease of operation
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then the device is easier to operate, but it may not provide sufficient security for the door
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is pre-compressed and stored in the retracted position of the handle, ready to engage the door stile. When the handle is pivoted to the extended position, the spring automatically releases, providing a strong securing force that positively engages the door in the closed position without requiring additional manual effort, thus maintaining both simplicity and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly for a sliding door includes a latch base having a generally channel-shaped configuration for receiving the stile of a sliding door and a handle pivotally coupled to the latch base having a lift portion facing outward from the door. When the lift portion is pulled, the door stile is released from the latch base and the door is pushed away from the doorjamb by a tab portion of the handle, both actions occurring substantially simultaneously.