Abstract:
A method for use when retrofitting a panel of a storage compartment having a mechanical latch assembly with an electric latch assembly includes removing the mechanical latch assembly from the panel of the storage compartment; and preparing the panel of the storage compartment to receive a potted insert. The preparation may include defining and marking a location to receive the potted insert. The method may include removing a portion of the panel to define a potted insert cavity and inserting the potted insert through the potted insert cavity of the panel. The method may also include applying at least one of a potting compound and an adhesive to bond the potted insert to the panel and coupling a portion of the electric latch assembly to the potted insert.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure is generally related to potted inserts, and more particularly, to installation of potted inserts having a latch mechanism. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Storage compartments used on various transportation vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, and aircraft, may be operable between an open and closed position. Shifting between the open and closed positions may be achieved through a mechanical latch system connected to a mechanical release component, such as, for example, a handle. Such mechanical latch systems, however, are expensive to maintain, as the mechanical latch system may comprise of multiple moving parts wherein each moving part would have to be sufficiently maintained, thus adding to maintenance costs. Further, having multiple moving parts would add avoidable payload to the transportation vehicles, thereby increasing fuel consumption. Still further, mechanical latch systems may not be aesthetically pleasing to passengers traveling on such transportation vehicles. As such, electric latch mechanisms provide a pleasing and less costly alternative to mechanical latch mechanisms. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments described herein provide methods for installing or retrofitting storage compartment panels with potted inserts having an electric latch mechanism in a particularly accurate manner and in a compact and robust form factor. According to one embodiment, a method for use when retrofitting a panel of a storage compartment having a mechanical latch assembly with an electric latch assembly may be summarized as including: removing the mechanical latch assembly from the panel of the storage compartment; preparing the panel of the storage compartment to receive a potted insert, the preparation including defining and marking a location to receive the potted insert; removing a portion of the panel to define a potted insert cavity; inserting the potted insert through the potted insert cavity of the panel; applying at least one of a potting compound and an adhesive to bond the potted insert to the panel; and coupling a portion of the electric latch assembly to the potted insert. 
         [0006]    According to another embodiment, a method for use when installing a potted insert to a storage compartment may be summarized as including: preparing a panel of the storage compartment to receive the potted insert, the preparation including defining and marking a location to receive the potted insert; removing a portion of the panel to define a potted insert cavity; inserting the potted insert through the potted insert cavity of the panel; applying at least one of a potting compound and an adhesive to bond the potted insert to the panel; and coupling a portion of an electric latch assembly to the potted insert. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a storage compartment panel illustrating an aspect of a method of installing a potted insert, according to one embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portion of the storage compartment panel of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an aspect of the method of installing the potted insert. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the portion of the storage compartment panel of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an aspect of the method of installing the potted insert. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the portion of the storage compartment panel of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an aspect of the method of installing the potted insert. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a method to install a potted insert, according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the portion of the storage compartment panel of  FIG. 1  having an electric latch installed thereto. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The following detailed description is directed toward methods for installing potted inserts, such as inserts having an electric latch, to storage compartments of transportation vehicles such as automobiles, buses, and aircraft, among others. The following detailed description and corresponding figures are intended to provide an individual of ordinary skill in the art with sufficient information to enable that individual to make and use the embodiments of the invention. Such an individual, however, having read this entire detailed description and reviewed the figures, will appreciate that modifications can be made to the illustrated and described embodiments, and/or elements removed therefrom, without deviating from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter. It is intended that all such modifications and deviations fall within the scope of the disclosed subject matter, to the extent that they are within the scope of the associated claims. 
         [0014]    References throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed structures and/or methods. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1-6  illustrate a method  10  for installing a potted insert  30  to a storage compartment panel  40 , according to one embodiment. Although the shown embodiment illustrates the method  10  as applied to a prototype, an individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this entire disclosure, will immediately appreciate that the method  10  extends to installation of the potted insert  30  to a ready to be installed storage compartment panel or to retrofit an already installed storage compartment panel. For instance, in some embodiments, the storage compartment panel  40  to be retrofitted may include a mechanical latch assembly. In other embodiments, the storage compartment panel, however, may include any other types of latch assemblies. At step  12 , the mechanical latch assembly (not shown) or any other type of installed latch assembly is disassembled. Disassembly of the mechanical latch assembly may involve removing components, such as unneeded springs, fasteners, hinges, tie-rods, and the like. The mechanical latch assembly is thereafter removed from the storage compartment panel  40 . 
         [0016]    At step  14 , a location on the storage compartment panel  40  is defined and marked. The marking may be accomplished using suitable means, such as masking tape, markers, or the like. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a tape  15  that is coupled to the storage compartment panel  40 . The tape  15  defines a boundary which encompasses a region of the storage compartment panel  40  where the potted insert  30  is to be installed. 
         [0017]    A portion of the storage compartment panel  40  is thereafter removed at step  16  to define a cavity  42  for receiving the potted insert  30 . The cavity  42  has an exterior profile  43 . The exterior profile  43  of the cavity  42  is configured to receive therein the potted insert  30 . For example, the exterior profile  43  of the cavity  42  may have a size and shape that encompasses an outer profile  45  of the potted insert  30 . Removal of the portion of the storage compartment panel  40  may be accomplished by manually cutting or routing the storage compartment panel  40  using hand-held devices, such as routers, cutters, jigsaw blades, or the like. In other instances, removal of the portion of the storage compartment panel  40  may also be accomplished via numerically controlled machines. 
         [0018]    The potted insert  30  is inserted in the storage compartment panel  40  through the cavity  42  at step  17 . The potted insert  30  includes a plurality of apertures  32 . The apertures  32  are located proximal to the outer profile  45  of the potted insert  30 . A potting compound  60  is injected via apertures  32  in the potted insert  30  at step  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the potting compound  60  may be injected using various injection tools (e.g., tubes, guns, etc.). For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates an injector tube  47  that carries the potting compound  60  and includes a tip to release the potting compound  60 . The potting compound  60  may be an epoxy based resin or other form of adhesive and may be applied by using injector nozzles, applicator guns, or the like, as noted above. 
         [0019]    In order to prevent or avoid potting compound  60  from contacting the interior of the storage compartment panel  40 , and to provide structural support, a backing plate may be installed on an interior surface of the storage compartment panel  40 . For example, the backing plate may be located proximal to the interior surface of the storage compartment panel  40 . The backing plate may be sized and shaped to extend beyond the outer profile  45  of the potted insert  30  such that the potting compound  60  may be prevented from extending to or contacting the interior of the storage compartment panel  40 . 
         [0020]    As the potting compound  60  begins to fill through a cavity or recess within the potted insert  30 , the potting compound  60  eventually collects around the periphery of the potted insert  30  adjoining the storage compartment panel  40 . Thereafter, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , any residual potting compound  60  squeeze-out is removed at step  20 . Removal may be accomplished by scraping off excess potting compound or by wiping away excess potting compound via a knife  21 , or wiping cloths, or the like. 
         [0021]    At step  22 , the potting compound  60  is cured. The potting compound  60  may be cured at ambient temperature or at elevated temperatures by use of appropriate heaters. After the potting compound  60  has cured, the potted insert  30  is ready for installation of an electric latch assembly  70 . A recessed portion  51  of the potted insert  30  is thereafter removed at step  24  to define a cavity  34 . The recessed portion  51  of the potted insert  30  may be removed by manually cutting or routing the panel using hand-held devices, such as routers, cutters, jigsaw blades, or the like. In other instances, removal of the portion of the potted insert  30  may also be accomplished via numerically controlled machines. 
         [0022]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the cavity  34  is configured to receive therein the electric latch assembly  70 . The cavity  34  has an exterior profile  39 . The exterior profile  39  of the cavity  34  may have a size and shape that encompass an outer profile  71  of the electric latch assembly  70 . In particular, the exterior profile  39  of the cavity  34  has a boundary that surrounds a button  75  of the electric latch assembly  70 . 
         [0023]    Upon removal of the recessed portion  51 , the electric latch assembly is installed to the potted insert  30  at step  26 . Although not shown in the illustrated embodiment, after installation of the electric latch assembly  70 , a transition sheet may be coupled to an external surface of the potted insert  30 , such that the external surface of the potted insert  30  smoothly transitions to the surrounding storage compartment panel  40 . Still further, a protective coating may also be applied to the potted insert  30 . The protective coating may be applied for flammability, moisture-protection, or other purposes to protect the storage compartment panel  40  and surrounding structure. 
         [0024]    At step  28 , the electric latch assembly  70  is wirelessly or through a wired connection coupled to a power supply and to a mechanical portion of the electric latch assembly  70  in a known manner, such that the storage compartment may be operable between latched and release positions. 
         [0025]    Moreover, the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
         [0026]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.