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US 12,000,176 B2Granted
Latching systems and methods
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJamie J. Childress
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latching system and method are configured to selectively latch and unlatch a first component in relation to a second component. The latching system and method include an actuator, a first coupler secured to the actuator, a latch, and a second coupler secured to the latch. The first coupler is configured to couple to the second coupler to couple the actuator to the latch. The first coupler is configured to uncouple from the second coupler to uncouple the actuator from the latch in response to the latch being manually operated.
Claims20
A latching system configured to selectively latch and unlatch a first component in relation to a second component, the latching system comprising:
- an actuator;
- a first coupler secured to the actuator, wherein the first coupler is a first magnet;
- a spring that secures the first magnet to the actuator, wherein the spring is configured to pull the first magnet toward the actuator;
- a latch including a latching element coupled to an engagement member, wherein the engagement member is configured to be manually engaged and moved to selectively lock and unlock the first component in relation to the second component;
- a second coupler secured to the latch, wherein the second coupler is a second magnet;
- a touchless sensor operatively coupled to the actuator, wherein the touchless sensor is configured to be engaged in a touchless manner to selectively lock and unlock the first component in relation to the second component;
- and
- a sensing device configured to detect a relationship between the first coupler and the second coupler,
- wherein the first coupler is configured to couple to the second coupler to couple the actuator to the latch, and
- wherein the first coupler is configured to uncouple from the second coupler to uncouple the actuator from the latch in response to the latch being manually operated.
7 more elements
A latching method configured to selectively latch and unlatch a first component in relation to a second component, the latching method comprising:
- coupling a first coupler secured to an actuator to a second coupler secured to a latch including a latching element coupled to an engagement member, wherein said coupling couples the actuator to the latch, wherein the engagement member is configured to be manually engaged and moved to selectively lock and unlock the first component in relation to the second component, wherein a touchless sensor is operatively coupled to the actuator, wherein the touchless sensor is configured to be engaged in a touchless manner to selectively lock and unlock the first component in relation to the second component;
- securing, by a spring, the first coupler to the actuator, wherein the spring is configured to pull the first coupler toward the actuator;
- uncoupling the first coupler from the second coupler to uncouple the actuator from the latch in response to the latch being manually operated;
- and
- detecting, by a sensing device, a relationship between the first coupler and the second coupler.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a first component;
- a second component;
- and
- a latching system coupled to one or both of the first component or the second component, wherein the latching system is configured to selectively latch and unlatch the first component in relation to the second component, the latching system comprising:
- an actuator;
- a first coupler secured to the actuator, wherein the first coupler comprises one of a detent or a spring-biased member;
- a latch including a latching element coupled to an engagement member, wherein the engagement member is configured to be manually engaged and moved to selectively lock and unlock the first component in relation to the second component;
- a second coupler secured to the latch, wherein the second coupler comprises the other of the detent or the spring-biased member;
- a touchless sensor operatively coupled to the actuator, wherein the touchless sensor is configured to be engaged in a touchless manner to selectively lock and unlock the first component in relation to the second component;
- a sensing device configured to detect a relationship between the first coupler and the second coupler,
- wherein the first coupler is configured to couple to the second coupler to couple the actuator to the latch, and
- wherein the first coupler is configured to uncouple from the second coupler to uncouple the actuator from the latch in response to the latch being manually operated.
9 more elements
A latching system configured to selectively latch and unlatch a first component in relation to a second component, the latching system comprising:
- an actuator;
- a first coupler secured to the actuator, wherein the first coupler comprises one of a detent or a spring-biased member;
- a latch including a latching element coupled to an engagement member, wherein the engagement member is configured to be manually engaged and moved to selectively lock and unlock the first component in relation to the second component;
- a second coupler secured to the latch, wherein the second coupler comprises the other of the detent or the spring-biased member;
- a touchless sensor operatively coupled to the actuator, wherein the touchless sensor is configured to be engaged in a touchless manner to selectively lock and unlock the first component in relation to the second component;
- and
- a sensing device configured to detect a relationship between the first coupler and the second coupler,
- wherein the first coupler is configured to couple to the second coupler to couple the actuator to the latch, and
- wherein the first coupler is configured to uncouple from the second coupler to uncouple the actuator from the latch in response to the latch being manually operated.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.