Actuating system for an actuatable door

An actuating system for an actuatable door and to an actuatable door having such an actuating system. The actuating system comprises a rotatable latching shaft, a rotatable locking shaft, a latching device, comprising a latch, and a locking device. The latch is adapted to maintain the actuatable door in a closed position. The locking device comprises a locking cam, that is mounted to the locking shaft and that is adapted to engage with the latch in a closed and latched position, and a latch securing lever, that is driven by the locking cam and that is adapted to engage with the latch to maintain the latch in a closed and secured position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European patent application No. EP 20400005.3 filed on Feb. 25, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present embodiments relate to an actuating system for an actuatable door. The present embodiments further relate to an actuatable door, in particular for an aircraft, whereby the actuatable door comprises an actuating system.

(2) Description of Related Art

Actuatable doors and, in particular, actuatable cargo doors in aircrafts usually fulfill the following major functions: they close the aircrafts in operation for maintaining a required internal pressure therein, they contribute to carrying flight loads in corresponding lower deck cargo compartments and they allow external access to the corresponding lower deck cargo compartments. Therefore, robust and safe actuating systems are required for reliably and safely closing the actuatable doors in operation, but also for fulfilling all relevant requirements defined by the competent authorities, such as e.g., in EASA CS 25.783 related to fuselage doors in general.

More specifically, according to EASA CS 25.783d (2) such actuating systems require latches and corresponding latching devices that must be designed so that, under all aircraft flight and ground loading conditions, there is no force or torque tending to unlatch the latches in the closed state of the actuatable door. In addition, the latching devices must include means for securing the latches in an associated latched state. The securing of the latches and the latches must be independent from the lock if the latches are latched.

Furthermore, according to EASA CS 25.783d (5), locking members such as locking cans must be provided for locking the latches in the associated latched state. However, any positioning of the locking members in a locking position, wherein the locking members lock the latches, must be prevented as long as the latches and the corresponding latching devices are not in their associated latched state.

The document DE 198 25 405 C2 describes a conventional actuating system for an actuatable door that fulfills these requirements and comprises a plurality of latching devices, each being provided with an associated latching hook that is adapted for latching the actuatable door in a closed position. Each latching hook can be locked in its latched state by means of a separate rotatable locking device, which is implemented as a locking cam.

More specifically, each latching hook is pivotally mounted to a first pivot bearing and connected to a pivotable mechanical transmission element via a coupling link. The latter is implemented as a first coupling rod and on the one hand pivotally mounted to the latching hook by means of a second pivot bearing and on the other hand to the pivotable mechanical transmission element by means of a third pivot bearing. The pivotable mechanical transmission element is implemented as a bell crank, which is pivotable around an associated bell crank bolt defining a fourth pivot bearing. The bell crank is further coupled to a latch lever by means of a coupling link, which is implemented as a second coupling rod. The latter is on the one hand pivotally mounted to the bell crank by means of a fifth pivot bearing and on the other hand to the latch lever by means of a sixth pivot bearing. The latch lever is coupled to a rotatable latching shaft, which defines a seventh bearing of the conventional actuating system.

When operating the conventional actuating system according to the document DE 198 25 405 C2 for latching the actuatable door in the closed position, the rotatable latching shaft is rotated in a predetermined rotational direction, thereby rotating the latch lever also into this predetermined rotational direction until the latch lever and the second coupling rod are in-line. The rotating latch lever entrains the second coupling rod, which in turn entrains the bell crank, thereby pivoting the latter into an opposed rotational direction. The pivoting bell crank thereby pushes the first coupling rod such that the latter rotates the latching hook also into this opposed rotational direction until the latching hook reaches a latching position, wherein the actuatable door is latched in the closed position. Subsequently, the locking cam is rotated in a locking position for locking and blocking the latching hook in its latched state.

For further securing and blocking the latching hook in its latched state such that the latching hook cannot be rotated accidentally or involuntarily from the latch side from its latching position back into an unlatching direction, wherein the actuatable door can be opened, the first coupling rod is driven by the pivoting bell crank into a so-called “overcentered” position. This is done by rotating slightly beyond the dead center between bell crank and first coupling rod.

More specifically, the overcentered position is defined such that any rotation of the latching hook in the above described predetermined rotational direction for unlatching the latching hook due to an external force acting on the latching hook, would only lead to a further rotation of the bell crank into the above described opposed rotational direction, which is prevented by means of a mechanical stop. In other words, when the first coupling rod is in the overcentered position, the latching hook can only be driven from its latching position into its releasing position by rotating the latch lever into the above described opposed rotational direction by means of the rotatable latching shaft.

However, the above described conventional actuating system is comparatively complicated and expensive, as each latching device thereof, i.e., without the separate rotatable locking device, comprises multiple constituent components including five moving parts in row with seven bearings involved. Consequently, this conventional actuating system is comparatively heavy and space consuming and manufacturing and assembly thereof is rather complicated due to the great number of components and tolerances.

More particularly, EP 3 045 387 A1 describes an actuating system for locking an actuatable door in a closed position. The actuating system comprises at least one latching device with a latching hook. The latching hook is pivotally mounted to an associated pivot bearing and connected to a pivotable mechanical transmission element via a coupling link. In operation of the latching device and, more particularly for pivoting the latching hook from a corresponding releasing position into its locking position, during a respective latching procedure, a rotatable latching shaft is rotated by means of the latching device in a latching rotation direction, thereby pushing the coupling link towards the latching hook, which is, thus pivoted around the associated pivot bearing in the latching rotation direction until it is locked at a counter peg.

In order to guarantee that the latching hook is prevented from an uncontrolled and/or accidental unlatching by a back-driving force thereon, the coupling link and the pivotable mechanical transmission element are preferably overcentered. An overcentering adjustment device is provided. The overcentering adjustment device is adapted for pivoting the pivotable mechanical transmission element in operation at least from an in-line position, wherein the latching hook is in locked state and unlocking is possible, into an overcentered position, wherein the latching hook is in the locked state and unlocking is prevented.

Furthermore, the pivotable mechanical transmission element is coupled to at least one locking device, adapted for securing the latching hook in its locked state. The locking device comprises a locking cam which is adapted for locking the latching hook in its locked state and, at the same time, for blocking the bell crank in the overcentered position. The locking cam is attached to a locking shaft, and rotatable by means of this locking shaft.

However, in many state-of-the-art designs, each of the latching hooks is installed on a separate fixed bolt, which serves as rotation axis for the latching hooks. Each latching hook is driven by the latching shaft via its own drive mechanism. In document EP 3 045 387 A1, the drive mechanism consists of an overcentered rod linkage and a rod linkage close to the overcentering device. The latching hooks are not directly connected to each other, but all driven individually by the latching shaft via their drive mechanism. In addition, each drive mechanism serves as latch securing means for its latching hook. Each latching hook is locked by an individual locking device, mounted on the locking shaft. The locking device is locking the latching hook and monitoring the latched position of the latch.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an objective to provide a new actuating system for an actuatable door that is suitable to overcome the above-described drawbacks. In particular, the new actuating system should have a very compact design and comprise fewer constituent components, is easier to produce and assemble, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture compared to state-of-the-art actuating systems. Furthermore, it is an objective to provide a new actuatable door comprising such a new actuating system.

This objective is solved by an actuating system for an actuatable door, said actuating system comprising the features of claim1.

More specifically an actuating system for an actuatable door may comprise a rotatable latching shaft, a rotatable locking shaft, a latching device and a locking device. The latching device comprises a latch and a latch securing lever. The latch is non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable latching shaft and adapted for maintaining the actuatable door in a closed position. Rotation of the rotatable latching shaft causes a rotation of the latch. The latch securing device comprises first and second contact surfaces, wherein the first contact surface is adapted to engage with the latch to maintain the latch in a closed and secured position. The locking device comprises a locking cam that is non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable locking shaft such that a rotation of the rotatable locking shaft causes a rotation of the locking cam. The locking cam drives the latch securing lever and comprises third and fourth contact surfaces. The third contact surface is adapted to engage with the latch to lock the latch in a closed and latched position. The fourth contact surface is adapted to engage with the second contact surface of the latch securing lever to prevent the latch securing lever from disengaging from a latched position while the locking cam is engaged.

Preferably, the fourth contact surface is adapted to engage with the second contact surface of the latch securing lever to prevent the latch securing lever from disengaging from a latched position in case of a single failure while the locking cam is engaged. For example, the single failure may include a failure of the latch securing lever. In other words, the fourth contact surface may be adapted to engage with the second contact surface of the latch securing lever to prevent the latch securing lever from disengaging from a latched position in case of a failure of the latch securing lever while the locking cam is engaged. Thus, in a locked position, the latch securing may be independent from the locking system, and the contact between the locking system and the latching system may only take place after a failure in the latch securing.

According to the present embodiments, the driving mechanism of the latches may be simplified. The latches, the latch securing lever, and the locking cam are easily integrated.

By way of example, the actuating system comprises a centralized latch drive that drives the first rotatable latching shaft that ultimately causes a rotation of all latches that are mounted to the second rotatable latching shaft. Thus, all latches are driven by the minimum required number of latch drives.

If desired, the actuatable door may include I-shaped frames. The latches may be slotted and at least one latch of the latches may be attached to the second rotatable latching shaft on both sides of an I-profile frame.

The actuatable system cannot be locked or secured if the latch is unlatched.

Illustratively, the latch securing lever is actively driven by the locking cam. Preferably, the latch securing lever is independent from the locking mechanism in the secured position. The latch securing lever is not part of the operation mechanism of the latch. If desired, the latch securing lever is kept in the secured position by means of a compression spring unit.

The latch securing lever is maintained in the secured position by the lock in case of a failure of the compression spring unit. Maintaining the latch securing lever in its secured position by the lock will not create any force or torque tending to unlock the lock.

By way of example, two lock lockage components, independent from each other, may be installed on the two sides of the I-profile frame. If the latch securing lever is missing or broken, the lock lockage component is pushed against the locking cam by a spring or by the gravitational force in case of a spring failure. The lock lockage component engages with the locking cam and blocks a rotation of the rotatable locking shaft.

In other words, the locking mechanism may not move into a locked position in case of a failure of the latch securing mechanism.

In case of a compression spring unit failure, latch securing lever rotation may be blocked at contact surfaces between the latch securing lever and the locking cam. The contact surfaces between the latch securing lever and the locking cam generate a self-locking torque on the locking shaft due to the shape of the contact surfaces.

According to one aspect, the actuating system further comprises at least one pin that prevents a rotation of the latch relative to the rotatable latching shaft.

According to one aspect, the actuating system further comprises at least one pin that prevents a rotation of the locking cam relative to the rotatable locking shaft.

According to one aspect, the actuating system further comprises a spring unit. The latch securing lever is mounted to the spring unit.

According to one aspect, the actuating system further comprises first and second stop bolts. The latch securing lever is movable between the first stop bolt and the second stop bolt.

According to one aspect, the latch securing lever further comprises at least one actuating roller that is attached to the latch securing lever.

According to one aspect, the locking cam further comprises a guide contour that is adapted to drive the at least one actuating roller of the latch securing lever.

According to aspect, the actuating system further comprises at least one lock lockage that is adapted to maintain the locking device in an unlocked position in case of a failure of the latch securing lever.

According to one aspect, each one of the at least one lock lockage further comprises a lock lockage shaft and first and second lock lockage components that are mounted to the lock lockage shaft, whereby the first lock lockage component is operable independently from the second lock lockage component.

According to one aspect, the latch securing lever further comprises first and second contact rollers that are attached to the latch securing lever.

According to one aspect, the first and second lock lockage components further comprise respective fifth and sixth contact surfaces. The fifth contact surface is adapted to engage with the first contact roller and the sixth contact surface is adapted to engage with the second contact roller.

According to one aspect, the first and second lock lockage components further comprise respective first and second springs, wherein the first spring is adapted to push the first lock lockage component in a first blocking direction and wherein the second spring is adapted to push the second lock lockage component in a second blocking direction.

According to one aspect, the locking device is adapted to be mounted onto a frame of the actuatable door, wherein the frame is particularly embodied as an I-frame.

According to one aspect, the actuating system further comprise at least one additional latching device comprising an additional latch that is non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable latching shaft and adapted for maintaining the actuatable door in the closed position, wherein the rotation of the rotatable latching shaft causes a rotation of the additional latch.

Moreover, an actuatable door in particular for an aircraft may comprise the actuating system described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1shows an actuating system1for an actuatable door2in accordance with some embodiments. In other words,FIG.1shows an actuatable door2comprising actuating system1. The actuating system1is exemplarily adapted for reliably and securely latching and locking the actuatable door2in a closed position, such that the actuatable door2preferentially fulfils all relevant requirements defined by the competent authorities, such as e.g., in EASA CS 25.783.

The actuatable door2may be adapted to close an associated door mounting structure, such as a fuselage of an aircraft, preferentially in a fluid-tight manner. According to one aspect, the actuatable door2is a cargo door of an aircraft.

However, it should be noted that the use of actuatable door2is not restricted to cargo doors of aircrafts. Instead, actuatable door2may be used for any actuatable doors, including actuatable doors in vessels, such as ships and so on. Such actuatable doors may be equipped with the inventive actuating system1.

Illustratively, the actuating system1comprises an actuating device1a. Actuating device1amay be adapted for actuating respectively rotating a rotatable actuating shaft1c. As an example, actuating device1amay include an operating handle1b. If desired, actuating device1amay include any device that is able to actuate respectively rotate the rotatable actuating shaft1c. For example, actuating device1amay include a wheel, a knob, or a motor and any other device that is able to control the motor. If desired, the actuating device1amay be adapted for rotating a rotatable locking shaft1din operation.

Illustratively, the rotatable actuating shaft1cmay be linked to a rotatable latching shaft1e. Upon actuation of the operating handle1b, the rotatable actuating shaft1crotates and causes a rotation of the rotatable latching shaft1e.

Actuating system1may comprise a latching device3, which is described in more detail below with reference toFIGS.2and3. Actuating system1may comprise an additional latching device4.

If desired, the respective latching and unlatching mechanisms of the latching device3and the additional latching device4may be similar. It should be noted that the actuating system1illustratively comprises six such latching devices3,4, but for simplicity and clarity of the drawings, only a single latching device is labeled with the reference sign3, and only one single additional latching device is labeled with the reference sign4.

If desired, actuating system1may comprise any number of latching devices. For example, actuating system1may include two, three, four, five, seven, eight, etc. latching devices3. An illustrative latching device is described below with reference toFIG.2andFIG.3representative for all latching devices of actuating system1.

By way of example, the latching device3comprises a latch3a, which is non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable latching shaft1e. Latch3amay be latchable at an associated counter peg provided at a door frame, non-represented for simplicity and clarity. Likewise, the additional latching device4comprises an additional latch4a, which is non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable latching shaft1e.

Illustratively, first and second latches3a,4amay be implemented as hooks, as C-latches, as toggle latches, or as any other latches that may be latchable at associated devices (e.g., counter pegs, cylinders, or shafts) provided at a door frame. If desired, first and second latches3a,4amay be implemented as cylinders or shafts and the associated devices provided at a door frame may be implemented as hooks or C-latches.

Thus, a rotation of the rotatable latching shaft1ecauses a rotation of latch3aand additional latch4a, because latch3aand additional latch4aare both non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable latching shaft1e.

For the remainder of this description it is assumed that the latch3ais latching the actuatable door2in the closed position when the additional latch4ais latching the actuatable door2in the closed position and vice versa. Similarly, the latch3ais unlatching the actuatable door2when the additional latch4ais unlatching the actuatable door2and vice versa.

Illustratively, a locking device5is mounted to a frame9and interfaces with the latching device3. Exemplarily, the latch3amay be locked in its locked state by means of the locking device5. This locking device5will be described below with reference toFIGS.2and3.

FIG.2andFIG.3show an enlarged view of the illustrative actuatable door2ofFIG.1with a focus on portion A of the actuatable door ofFIG.1.

Illustratively, the actuating system (e.g., actuating system1ofFIG.1) may be mounted to an actuatable door (e.g., actuatable door2ofFIG.1). and adapted for latching and/or locking this actuatable door (e.g., actuatable door2ofFIG.1) in a closed and latched position in an associated door frame, which is e.g., defined by a fuselage of an aircraft as described above and, illustratively, associated with a cargo door thereof.

In particular,FIG.2is a three-dimensional diagram of the illustrative latching and locking devices3,5ofFIG.1seen from a first side of I-profile frame9, andFIG.3is a three-dimensional diagram of the illustrative latching and locking devices3,5ofFIG.1seen from a second side of I-profile frame9. As exemplarily shown, the actuating system may be in a fully latched and locked position.

By way of example, the actuating system may include an actuating rotatable shaft1c, a rotatable latching shaft1e, a rotatable locking shaft1d, a latching device3, and a locking device5.

Illustratively, the actuating rotatable shaft1cis represented as passing through the I-profile frame9. However, actuating rotatable shaft1, does not directly impact the movement of locking device5.

The latching device3may comprise a latch3athat is non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable latching shaft1eand adapted for maintaining the actuatable door2in a closed position. Rotation of the rotatable latching shaft1ecauses a rotation of the latch3a.

If desired, the latch3amay be non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable latching shaft1eby means of at least one pin3b. In other words, the at least one pin3bmay prevent a rotation of the latch3arelative to the second rotatable latching shaft1e.

If desired, latch3amay be slotted and mounted on two sides of I-profile frame9. For example, latch3amay be mounted to the rotatable latching shaft1eby means of two pins3b, one on each side of the I-profile frame9.

The locking device5is provided and adapted for locking the latch3ain its closed and latched position. Illustratively, the locking device5is adapted to be mounted onto a frame9. As shown, the frame9may be embodied as an I-profile frame.

The locking device5may prevent a rotation of the latch3awhen the latch3alatches the actuatable door (e.g., actuatable door2ofFIG.1) in the closed position. The locking device5illustratively comprises a locking cam6, and the latching device3may include a latch securing lever7.

The locking cam6is non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable locking shaft1dsuch that a rotation of the rotatable locking shaft1dcauses a rotation of the locking cam6. The locking cam6is adapted to engage with the latch3ato lock the latch3ain a closed and latched position.

By way of example, the locking cam6is non rotatably mounted to the rotatable locking shaft1d, through at least one pin6b. The at least one pin6bprevents rotation of the locking cam6relative to the rotatable locking shaft1d.

The latch securing lever7is driven by the locking cam6, as explained below with reference toFIGS.8A to12B. The latch securing lever7is adapted to engage with the latch3ato secure the latch3ain a closed and latched position.

If desired, the locking cam6is adapted to engage with the latch securing lever7to prevent the latch securing lever7from disengaging from a latched position while the locking cam6is engaged. In other words, the locking cam6is adapted to engage with the latch securing lever7to maintain the latch3ain a latch secured position (e.g., in case of a predetermined failure of the actuating system such as actuating system1ofFIG.1).

The actuating system may comprise a lock lockage8that is adapted to maintain the locking device5in an unlocked position in case of a failure of the latch securing lever7.

As exemplarily shown inFIG.3, locking device5may include a locking cam6that is non rotatably mounted to the rotatable locking shaft1d. The locking cam6is mounted to the rotatable locking shaft1dby means of at least one pin6b, if desired. The at least one pin6bmay prevent rotation of the locking cam6relative to the rotatable locking shaft1d.

Illustratively, the actuating system may include at least one lock lockage8. Lock lockage8may be adapted to maintain the locking device5in an unlocked position in case of a failure of the latch securing lever7.

Exemplarily, the latching device3may include a latch securing lever7. The latch securing lever7may be mounted to a spring unit7e. If desired, the spring unit7eis mounted to the I-profile frame9. If desired, spring unit7emay be embodied by a compression spring or any other suitable spring system. Spring unit7emay be mounted to the i-profile frame9to keep the latch securing lever7in the secured position.

FIGS.4to7are three-dimensional diagrams of the different components of latching device3and locking device5ofFIGS.2and3.

More particularly,FIG.4shows the latching device3. The latching device3comprises latch3a. The latch3ais mounted to its support (e.g., rotatable latching shaft1eofFIGS.2and3) by means of at least one pin3b. The support of latch3ais not represented here for simplicity and clarity.

The at least one pin3bprevents a rotation of the latch3arelative to the support (e.g., rotatable latching shaft1eofFIGS.2and3).

As exemplarily shown inFIG.4, latch3amay be slotted. If desired, a slotted latch may be mounted on two sides of an I-profile frame (e.g., I-profile frame9ofFIGS.2and3). For example, latch3amay be mounted to the rotatable latching shaft1eby means of two pins3b, one on each side of the I-profile frame.

The latch3amay comprise contact surfaces3cand3d. For example, contact surfaces3cmay be used to engage with the latch securing lever7. In other words, latch securing lever7may engage with contact surfaces3cto maintain the latch3ain a closed and latched position. If desired, the latch3amay comprise two contact surfaces3c.

If desired, the latch3acomprises contact surfaces3d. The contact surfaces3dmay be used to engage with the locking cam6. In other words, locking cam6may engage with contact surfaces3dto maintain the latch3ain a closed and locked position. If desired, the latch3amay comprise two contact surfaces3d.

FIG.5shows an illustrative locking cam6of a locking device (e.g., locking device5ofFIGS.2and3). The locking cam6may be mounted non-rotatably to the rotatable locking shaft (e.g., rotatable locking shaft1dofFIGS.2and3), not represented here for simplicity and clarity.

Exemplarily, the locking cam6comprises contact surfaces6aand6d. Contact surface6ais adapted to engage with the latch3ain order to maintain the latch3ain a closed and locked position.

The contact surface6dis adapted to engage with the latch securing lever7in order to prevent the latch securing lever7from disengaging from a latched position while the locking cam6is engaged.

By way of example, the locking cam6may include a guide contour6c. The guide contour6cis adapted to drive an actuating roller of a latch securing lever (e.g., actuating roller7bof the latch securing lever7ofFIG.6), upon actuation.

The locking cam6may comprise a blocking counterpart6e. The blocking counterpart6emay be used to block the locking cam6in case of the occurrence of a failure of a latch securing lever (e.g., latch securing lever7ofFIG.6).

Illustratively, the locking cam6comprises a first locking cam component61and a second locking cam component62. If desired, each one of first and second locking cam components61,62comprises contact surfaces6a,6dand a blocking counterpart6e.

As exemplarily shown inFIG.6, the latch securing lever7may comprise contact surfaces7aand7h. The contact surface7ais adapted to engage with the latch3ain order to maintain the latch3ain a closed and latched position.

Contact surface7his adapted to engage with a contact surface of a locking cam (e.g., contact surface6dof locking cam6ofFIG.5) to prevent the latch securing lever7from disengaging from a latched position while the locking cam is engaged.

The latch securing lever7may include an actuating roller7b. The actuating roller7bmay be attached to the latch securing lever7. For example, the actuating roller7bmay be mounted to a roller shaft7c.

Upon actuation, the actuating roller7bmay be driven by a guide contour of a locking cam (e.g., guide contour6cof locking cam6ofFIG.5). Movement of the actuating roller7bmay cause movement of the latch securing lever7.

Illustratively, the latch securing lever7may comprise first and second contact rollers7d. The first and second contact rollers7dmay be attached to the latch securing lever7. As an example, the first and second contact rollers7dmay be mounted to roller shaft7c.

Exemplarily, the first and second contact rollers7dare adapted to engage with a lock lockage (e.g., lock lockage8ofFIG.7). For example, the first and second contact rollers7dmay control the angular position of the lock lockage.

At least one securing device7kmay be mounted at the end of the roller shaft7c. The at least one securing device7kmay secure the first and second contact rollers7don roller shaft7c. If desired, the at least one securing device7kmay include a pin through roller shaft7c.

Illustratively, the latch securing lever7comprises a first latch securing lever component71and a second latch securing lever component72. As exemplarily shown inFIG.6, first and second latch securing lever components71and72may have separate roller shafts7c.

Illustratively, the first and second latch securing lever components71,72comprise an opening with serrations7i. The first and second latch securing lever components71,72may be connected together by means of a shaft. The shaft may be passing through the serrations7i. This shaft is not represented here for simplicity and clarity.

By way of example, actuation of the first latch securing lever component71may cause a movement of the second latch securing lever component72, and vice versa.

Illustratively, the second latch securing lever component72may include a spherical bearing7j. The spherical bearing7jmay enable a connection of the latch securing lever7with a spring unit (e.g., spring unit7eofFIG.3).

FIG.7is a three-dimensional diagram of the lock lockage8. The lock lockage8is adapted to maintain the locking device5in an unlocked position in case of a failure of the of the latch securing lever component71,72, as described below with reference toFIGS.13A to14C.

The lock lockage8comprises a lock lockage shaft8c, and first and second lock lockage components81,82. First and second lock lockage components81,82may be mounted to lock lockage shaft8c. If desired, the first lock lockage component81is operable independently from the second lock lockage component82, and vice versa.

Illustratively, first and second lock lockage components81,82may include respective contact surfaces8d. The respective contact surfaces8dmay be adapted to engage with contact rollers of latch securing lever components.

For example, the contact surface8dof first lock lockage component81may be adapted to engage with contact roller7dof latch securing lever component71ofFIG.6, and contact surface8dof second lock lockage component82may be adapted to engage with contact roller7dof latch securing lever component72ofFIG.6.

First and second lock lockage components81,82exemplarily comprise respective first and second springs8b. The first spring8bis adapted to push the first lock lockage component81in a first blocking direction (e.g., blocking direction8gofFIG.13C). The second spring8bis adapted to push the second lock lockage component82in a second blocking direction (e.g., blocking direction8gofFIG.13A). A spring contact8amay be used to pre-torque each one of the first and second springs8b.

First and second lock lockage components81,82may comprise contact surfaces8f. Contact surface8fof the first lock lockage component81may engage with the blocking counterpart6eof the first locking cam component61ofFIG.5in case of a failure of latch securing lever7, and contact surface8fof the second lock lockage component82may engage with the blocking counterpart6eof the second locking cam component62ofFIG.5in case of a failure of latch securing lever7.

As an example, contact surface8fof first and/or second lock lockage components81,82may engage with the respective blocking counterpart6eof the first and/or second locking cam component61,62ofFIG.5if the latch securing is missing. In this example, first and/or second spring8bmay push first and/or second lock lockage component81,82in contact with the blocking counterpart6eof the first and/or second locking cam component61,62ofFIG.5, thereby blocking the rotation of the rotatable locking shaft (e.g., rotatable locking shaft1dofFIGS.2and3).

As another example, contact surface8fof first and/or second lock lockage components81,82may engage with the respective blocking counterpart6eof the first and/or second locking cam component61,62ofFIG.5if first and/or second spring8bis failing. In this example, the gravitational force may push first and/or second lock lockage component81,82in contact with the blocking counterpart6eof the first and/or second locking cam component61,62ofFIG.5, thereby blocking the rotation of the rotatable locking shaft (e.g., rotatable locking shaft1dofFIGS.2and3).

Illustratively,FIGS.8A to12Bshow latching and locking devices3,5ofFIGS.2and3at different phases of an unlocking and unlatching operation of latch3a. A similar unlocking and unlatching operation may unlock and unlatch latch4aofFIG.1.

More particularly,FIG.8Ais a side view of the illustrative latching and locking devices ofFIG.3that include latching device3, locking device5, and lock lockage8in a fully latched and locked position, andFIG.8Bis a side view of the illustrative latching and locking devices ofFIG.2that include latching device3, locking device5, and lock lockage8in a fully latched and locked position in accordance with some embodiments.

Exemplarily, the latch3ais maintained in a fully latched and locked position by the locking device5. More specifically, first and second locking cam components61,62are blocking the latch3a. Thereby, first and second locking cam components61,62prevent a rotation of the latch3ain an unlatching rotation direction3e.

Illustratively, first and second latch securing lever components71,72are blocking the latch3a. First and second latch securing lever components71,72prevent the rotation of the latch3ain the unlatching rotation direction3e.

As an example, the first and second locking cam components61,62are non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable locking shaft1dby means of at least one pin6b.

As exemplarily shown inFIG.8A, the second latch securing lever component72is maintained in a latch securing position by means of the spring unit7e. The spring unit7emay be mounted to a frame (e.g., I-profile frame9ofFIG.2or3).

By way of example, the actuating system may comprise first and second stop bolts7f,7g. First and second stop bolts7f,7gmay be mounted to the frame, if desired (e.g., I-profile frame9ofFIG.2or3).

The latch securing lever7may be movable between the first stop bolt7fand the second stop bolt7g. In other words, the movement of the latch securing lever7is limited by the first stop bolt7fand by the second stop bolt7g.

Illustratively, the movement of the latch securing lever7may be blocked in the secured position by first stop bolt7f.

As exemplarily shown inFIGS.8A and8B, the contact surface8dof the first lock lockage component81may engage with the first contact roller7d, and the contact surface8dof the second lock lockage component82may engage with the second contact roller7d. In other words, the first lock lockage component81is maintained in a position not blocking the lock by the first contact roller7d, and the second lock lockage component82is maintained in a position not blocking the lock by the second contact roller7d.

FIG.9AandFIG.9Bshow a first part of the unlocking and unlatching operation, in which the unlocking operation has started. During the first part of the unlocking operation, the latch3ais still in a latched position and the locking device5is still locking the latch3a.

The rotatable locking shaft1dstarts rotating in an unlocking rotation direction6f. Rotation of the rotatable locking shaft1dcauses a rotation of the first and second locking cam components61,62in the unlocking rotation direction6f.

As exemplarily shown inFIG.9A, the second latch securing lever component72is not anymore in contact with the first stop bolt7f.

Illustratively, the spring unit7e, which is mounted to the second latch securing lever component72is driven in a releasing direction7l.

As exemplarily shown inFIG.9B, the guide contour6cof the first locking cam component61starts engaging with the actuating roller7b.

FIG.10AandFIG.10Bshow a second part of the unlocking and unlatching operation. The latch3ais still in a latched position, but the locking device5is unlocked.

During the second part of the unlocking and unlatching operation, the rotatable locking shaft1dcontinues rotating in an unlocking rotation direction6f. Rotation of the rotatable locking shaft1dcauses rotation of the first and second locking cam components61,62. The first and second locking cam components61,62are not blocking the latch3aanymore.

The rotation of the first locking cam component61may rotate the guide contour6c. The guide contour6cdrives the actuating roller7b. The first and second latch securing lever components71,72are driven by the actuating roller7b.

By way of example, first and second latch securing lever components71,72may still be engaged with the latch3a. In other words, first and second latch securing lever components71,72may maintain the latch3ain a secured position.

Illustratively, the spring unit7e, which is mounted to the second latch securing lever component72is driven in a releasing direction7l, in which the spring unit7ereleases the latch securing lever components71and72from a securing position.

The first and second lock lockage components81,82are still maintained in an unblocking position by the first and second contact rollers7d.

FIGS.11A and11Bshow a third part of the unlocking and unlatching operation. The latch3ais still latched, and the locking device5is fully unlocked at the end of the third part of the unlocking and unlatching operation.

The rotatable locking shaft1dhas rotated to a fully unlocked position. Thus, the first and second locking cam components61,62, which are non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable locking shaft1d, are in a fully unlocked position.

The first and second latch securing lever components71,72, which are driven by the first locking cam component61, are in a fully unsecured position.

The movement of the second latch securing lever component72in a releasing direction7l, in which the spring unit7ereleases the latch securing lever components71and72from a securing position, is limited in an unsecured position by the second stop bolt7g.

Illustratively, the first and second lock lockage components81,82are released to an unblocking position by the first and second contact rollers7d.

FIG.12AandFIG.12Bshow the latching and locking devices ofFIGS.2and3in an unlatched and unlocked position.

In the unlatched and unlocked position, neither first and second latch securing lever components71,72nor first and second locking cam components61,62are blocking latch3a. Thus, rotation of latch3ais no longer blocked.

As a result, the rotation of the rotatable latching shaft1ein an unlatching rotation direction3ecauses rotation of the latch3a, which is non-rotatably mounted to the rotatable latching shaft1e.

FIGS.13A to14Cshow the occurrence of a failure of latch securing lever7during the movement of the locking device5. As an example, a failure of latch securing lever7may be caused by a loss of a contact roller (e.g., contact roller7dofFIG.6).

By way of example,FIGS.13A to14Cshow the movement of the lock lockage8in case of an occurrence of a failure of the latch securing lever7. Illustratively, the lock lockage8may be adapted to maintain the locking device5in an unlocked position in case of a failure of the latch securing lever7.

FIG.13Ashows the illustrative latching and locking devices ofFIG.12Ain the latched, unsecured, and unlocked position in case of a failure occurrence,FIG.13Bis a section view of the illustrative latching and locking devices ofFIG.12Ain the latched, unsecured, and unlocked position, andFIG.13Cshows the illustrative latching and locking devices ofFIG.12Bin the latched, unsecured, and unlocked position in case of the failure occurrence.

In other words,FIG.13Ashows the second latch securing lever component72unlatched, and the second locking cam component62unlocked, andFIG.13Cshows the first latch securing lever component71unlatched, and the first locking cam component61unlocked.

As an example, consider the scenario in which the contact rollers of the latch securing lever (e.g., contact rollers7dof latch securing lever7ofFIG.6) were missing (e.g., the contact rollers broke off due to material fatigue). As another example, a securing device such as securing device7kofFIG.6was lost, which resulted in the loss of the contact rollers.

In this scenario, movement of the first and second lock lockage components81,82may not be driven or guided anymore by the first and second contact rollers (e.g., contact roller7dofFIG.11) contrary toFIG.11AandFIG.11B.

Instead, first and second lock lockage components81,82have continued their rotation in the blocking direction8g. For example, spring8bofFIG.7may cause a continued rotation of first and second lock lockage components81,82in the blocking direction8g. The rotation in the blocking direction8gof first and second lock lockage components81,82is stopped when the contact surface8denters in contact with the second locking cam component62.

FIG.14Ashows the illustrative latching and locking devices ofFIG.13Ain a blocked position in case of a failure occurrence,FIG.14Bis a perspective view of the illustrative latching and the locking devices ofFIG.14A, andFIG.14Cshows the illustrative latching and locking devices ofFIG.13Cin the blocked position in case of the failure occurrence in accordance with some embodiments.

In other words,FIG.14Ashows the second latch securing lever component72unlatched, and the second lock lockage component82in a blocking position, andFIG.14Cshows the first latch securing lever component71unlatched, and the first lock lockage component81in a blocking position.

As an example, consider the scenario in which the contact rollers of the latch securing lever (e.g., contact rollers7dof latch securing lever7ofFIG.6) were missing.

In this scenario, the second lock lockage component82has rotated in a blocking rotation direction8g. However, the second lock lockage component82does not engage with the locking cam component62.

In fact, due to the loss of a contact roller (e.g., contact roller7bofFIG.6), the first and second latch securing lever components71,72are not driven by the locking cam6anymore.

Illustratively, contact surface8fof the second lock lockage component82stops the rotation of the second locking cam component62. Indeed, the blocking counterpart6eof the locking cam6ofFIG.5engages with the contact surface8fof the second lock lockage component82.

Similarly, as shown inFIG.14C, the first lock lockage component81blocks the first locking cam component61. The locking device5cannot rotate in its locked position, i.e., the locking device5is maintained in an unlocked position.

If desired, the first lock lockage component81may also be operable independently from the second lock lockage component82. In other words, the first lock lockage component81may be in a blocking position, while the second lock lockage component82may be in an inactive state, and vice versa. Any lockage blocking a lock component will avoid locking of the complete locking system.

It should be noted that modifications to the above described embodiments are within the common knowledge of the person skilled in the art and, thus, also considered as being part of the present invention.

For instance, the actuating system1may comprise an additional locking device5, in case of a failure of the first locking device5.

Moreover, the actuating system1ofFIG.1is shown with six latching devices3,4. However, the actuating system1may have any number of latching devices3,4. For example, the actuating system1may have seven, eight, or more latching devices3,4.

Furthermore, the latching device3ofFIG.3is exemplarily shown to include a latch securing lever7that is mounted to a spring unit7eon one side of I-profile frame9, whereby the spring unit7eis mounted to the I-profile frame9. However, the latching device3may include two latch securing levers7, one on each side of I-profile frame9. The two latch securing levers7may both be mounted to a different spring unit7e, one on each side of I-profile frame9, whereby the spring units7eare mounted to the I-profile frame9.

As another example, latching device3ofFIG.4is shown with a contact surface3cthat is in contact with a latch securing lever on one side of the latching device3and another contact surface3dthat is in contact with a locking cam on another side of latching device3. However, latching device3may have the contact surfaces3cand3dexchanged compared to what is shown inFIG.4, under the premise that the corresponding latch securing levers and locking cams are also exchanged.

REFERENCE LIST