Sliding Galley Bay Latch for Secondary Door Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional galley trolley doors lack a secondary retention mechanism, leading to a higher failure rate due to the inability to withstand the force of galley contents, particularly near the bottom of the door, where the primary locking mechanism is insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A galley bay door system with a slider housing and slider plate that slides between two positions to secure the galley bay door in a closed state, providing a secondary retention mechanism by extending beyond the housing to engage with a strike plate, allowing for secure closure and easy opening, and including a method to secure contents within the trolley using the galley bay door system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a secondary retention mechanism is added to galley trolley doors, then the ability to withstand forces exerted by galley contents is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the secondary retention function into the existing door structure by integrating a latch mechanism directly into the bay door assembly. The latch includes a receiver portion formed as an integral part of the door structure and a latch member that works within the same door assembly, thereby adding strength without significantly increasing overall device complexity through separate independent components
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is segmented into distinct functional portions: a receiver portion formed as an integral part of the door structure, and a latch member with a head and body portion that can be actuated separately. This segmentation allows the secondary retention function to be added while maintaining modularity and minimizing the increase in device complexity
2Reliability
If the slider and slider plate displacement is increased to improve locking reliability, then the retention capability is enhanced, but the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth) by forming the receiver portion as an integral recess within the door structure. This allows the latch member to travel a sufficient distance for reliable locking while the overall system footprint remains compact, as the displacement occurs within the depth of the door rather than extending the external dimensions
Data Source
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AI summary
A galley bay door system comprises a slider housing (102) configured to be mounted in a galley bay door (104). The system also includes a slider (106) mounted in the slider housing and configured for sliding movement relative to the slider housing, a slider plate (114) mounted to the slider for movement together with the slider. A method comprises securing contents in a galley trolley with a door on the galley trolley and providing secondary retention for the contents in the galley trolley by closing the galley trolley inside a galley bay with a door of the galley bay.