Water Port Closure Assembly With Spring Latch and Catch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure assemblies for water system ports, such as those in aircraft, require a large area for opening and closing due to their hinged design, leading to wear and increased manufacturing costs, and are prone to accidental opening due to high friction and wear.
Innovation Solution
A closure mechanism using a spring latch part with ball pins and a catch assembly that allows for compact operation and secure closure, utilizing additive manufacturing for cost-effective and durable construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinged closure assembly with arm or lever is used to close the ports, then the closure can be effectively sealed, but a large area is required to allow the closure to open and close
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a cap for sealing, a spring latch part for securing, and a catch assembly for engagement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, eliminating the need for a large hinged arm while maintaining effective closure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a hinged arm that moves outward to open the closure, the invention uses a spring latch that can be released and a cap that can be manually lifted. This inverts the traditional opening mechanism, allowing closure within a limited space by eliminating the need for a large arc movement.
2Reliability
If a hinged closure mechanism is used, then the port can be securely closed, but repeated opening and closing causes wear and requires part replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is extracted and replaced with a spring latch and catch assembly system. The cap can be manually removed and reattached without requiring repeated hinging motions, thereby eliminating wear on hinged components and significantly extending the service life of the closure parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring latch part automatically engages with the catch assembly when the cap is placed in the closed position, providing self-securing functionality. This eliminates the need for complex hinged mechanisms and reduces wear by minimizing moving parts that require repeated operation.
3Area of stationary object
If a spring latch mechanism with catch assembly is used, then space for operation is reduced, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring latch part and catch assembly are designed as integrated components that work together in a compact arrangement. The spring latch part includes end pins that directly engage with recesses in the catch assembly, merging the latching and catching functions into a unified, space-efficient mechanism that does not require a large hinged arm.
4Ease of manufacture
If additive manufacturing is used for construction, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but manufacturing precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The design parameters of the spring latch mechanism and catch assembly are optimized for additive manufacturing processes. Tolerances and dimensional specifications are adjusted to account for additive manufacturing capabilities, ensuring that the functional requirements for closure security and space efficiency are met while taking advantage of cost-effective manufacturing.
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 spring latch mechanism enables efficient, space-saving closure and reduced wear, with lower manufacturing costs and enhanced reliability against accidental opening.
Implementation Method 1
a spring between the first and second end pins, the spring biased to extend the first and second end pins beyond the respective ends of the channel
Implementation Method 2
a cap attached at a first side of the cap to a first side of the housing via a hinge, the cap pivotable about the hinge between an open position with respect to the fill port and a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A fill port assembly comprising: a housing having an opening therethrough; a fill port located in and extending through the opening defining a flow passage through the fill port from a first end to a second end, the flow passage having an axis defined between the first end and the second end; and a closure mechanism moveable between an open position in which the flow channel is open and allows fluid flow therethrough and a closed position in which the flow channel is closed and prevents fluid flow therethrough, wherein the closure mechanism comprises: a cap attached at a first side of the cap to a first side of the housing via a hinge, the cap pivotable about the hinge between an open position with respect to the fill port and a closed position to close the second end of the fill port.