Threaded Post Vibration Attenuation for Aircraft Latch Assemblies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrations between a latch and a striker in aircraft overhead bin assemblies occur due to manufacturing tolerances, deformation, and wear, leading to noise and nuisance, and current solutions like rubber components degrade over time.
Innovation Solution
A vibration-reducing apparatus featuring a threaded post with arm members and a locking region that reduces the engagement distance between the latch and striker by rotating in discrete increments, preventing retraction and attenuating vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber component is added to the latch to facilitate secure engagement, then the latch can securely engage the striker even when components are not made to within desired tolerances, but the rubber component degrades over time and becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rubber component from the latch assembly entirely. Instead of adding a rubber element to the latch to achieve secure engagement, the invention extracts this degradable component and relies solely on the precise positioning of the latch and striker through the threaded post adjustment mechanism to maintain secure engagement without any rubber elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the engagement parameters by adjusting the distance between the latch and striker through the threaded post. By precisely controlling the engagement distance parameter, the system achieves secure engagement without relying on rubber components, thereby eliminating the degradation issue while maintaining reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the latch and striker are made to within desired tolerances, then vibrations should be minimized, but tolerance stack-up, deformation from gravity, external forces, and wear still create vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the threaded post to set the optimal engagement distance between the latch and striker before operation. This preliminary positioning compensates for anticipated tolerance stack-up, gravitational deformation, and wear, ensuring that vibrations are minimized throughout the service life of the components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment capability through the threaded post mechanism, allowing the engagement distance to be modified. This dynamic feature enables the system to adapt to changing conditions such as wear and deformation, maintaining optimal vibration reduction performance over time.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the engagement distance between latch and striker is reduced, then vibrations are attenuated, but the latch and striker must be precisely positioned which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning function into a separate adjustable component (the threaded post) that is distinct from the latch and striker themselves. This segmentation allows the engagement distance to be independently adjusted without modifying the latch or striker, achieving precise positioning while keeping the overall design modular and manageable.
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
Effectively reduces vibrations between the latch and striker to an allowable design gap, enhancing the stability and quiet operation of the bin assembly under various conditions, including high vibration scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded post having arm members extending outwardly therefrom, the threaded post being rotatably advanceable in discrete increments in a threaded opening defined by and extending through the first member
Implementation Method 2
a locking region surrounding the threaded opening and being arranged to interact with at least a portion of the arm members of the threaded post upon the rotational advancement of the threaded post
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration-reducing apparatus for an assembly comprising a first member including a latch and a second member including a striker may include a threaded post having arm members extending outwardly therefrom, the threaded post being rotatably advanceable in discrete increments in a threaded opening extending through the first member such that, in a closed position of the first and second members, a distal portion of the threaded post extending through the first member contacts the second member upon rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening; and a locking region arranged to interact with at least a portion of the arm members, the rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening and contact with the second member reducing an engagement distance between the latch and the striker with the first and second members in the closed position, and attenuating vibrations between the latch and the striker.