Patent Publication Number: US-11391061-B2

Title: Electromechanical compression latch and latching system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Phase Application of PCT International Application PCT/US2016/027671, filed Apr. 15, 2016, and claims the benefit of priority of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/148,301, entitled ELECTROMECHANICAL COMPRESSION LATCH AND LATCHING SYSTEM, filed on 16 Apr. 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to latch systems, and particularly, to latches that can be used for compressing components against one another. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally, storage compartments for use in outdoor environments (such as those on vehicles like automobiles or boats) must be secured against the elements to prevent damage to their contents. For example, the engine compartment on a boat must be sealed in such a manner to prevent precipitation or other water from seeping into the compartment and damaging the engine. 
     For these types of compartments, it is important to achieve a proper seal each time the compartment is closed. This seal may be created by compressing the door of the compartment against the compartment housing to maintain an airtight environment within the compartment. However, due to the size or weight of the compartment door, weather, or other factors, it may be difficult for a user to ensure a proper seal each time the compartment is closed. 
     Accordingly, improved systems are desired for uses such as sealing the opening of a storage compartment. Additionally, there remains a need for improved latches and latch systems that can provide compression between the components being latched. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention are related to latches, latch assemblies, and latch systems configured to releasably compress components against one another. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a latch assembly is disclosed. The latch assembly is configured to releasably compress components against one another. The latch assembly includes a latch and a receiver. The latch has a housing and a pin extending from the housing along a pin axis. The pin is mounted for longitudinal movement along the pin axis. The latch further includes a motor coupled to move the pin longitudinally. The receiver defines an aperture extending along a receiver axis and positioned to receive the pin of the latch. The receiver has a retainer biased toward the receiver axis. The latch assembly has an open position in which the pin is extended distally along the pin axis and received in the aperture. The latch assembly also has a latched position in which the pin is retracted proximally along the pin axis while the retainer is engaged with the pin. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a latch system is disclosed. The latch system includes a plurality of latch assemblies as described herein. At least one of the latch assemblies has a transmitter configured to send a signal when at least one of the latch assemblies is in the open position. At least another one of the latch assemblies has a signal receiver configured to detect the signal. The latch assemblies are configured to move to the latched position after all latch assemblies are in the open position. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a latch is disclosed. The latch is configured for use with a receiver to releasably engage components in compression relative to one another. The latch includes a housing, a pin, and a gasket. The housing defines an interior region and an aperture extending between the interior region and an exterior of the housing. The pin extends from the interior region of the housing through the aperture along a pin axis. The pin is mounted for longitudinal movement along the pin axis. The gasket is coupled to the housing. The gasket does not block the longitudinal movement of the pin and provides a seal with the pin resisting ingress of fluid from the exterior of the housing into the interior region of the housing through the aperture of the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary latch assembly configured to releasably compress components against one another in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  depict a latch of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  depict a receiver of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  depicts the latch assembly of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
         FIG. 5  depicts the latch assembly of  FIG. 1  in a latched position; 
         FIG. 6  depicts another view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1 , revealing a guide; 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  depict the operation of a retainer of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  depicts another view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1 , revealing a release mechanism; and 
         FIG. 9  depicts an exemplary latch system in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents, of the claims and without departing from the invention. 
     The exemplary latch assemblies described herein provide a way of sealing storage compartments by compressing components of the compartment (e.g., the door and the compartment housing) against one another. These embodiments generally incorporate a motorized latch that is actuated when the compartment door is detected in order to directly or indirectly compress the door against the opening and seal the compartment shut. The disclosed embodiments desirably provide a reliable and easily reproducible seal to protect the contents of the compartment from exposure to the environment exterior to the compartment. 
     While the invention is described herein primarily with respect to outdoor vehicle compartments, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited. The disclosed latch assemblies may be usable to seal any type of storage compartment for which it is desirable to reliably and repeatably seal the compartment. Likewise, while the invention is described herein with respect to latching compartments in which environmental sealing is desired, it will be understood that the invention, is not so limited. The latch assemblies and systems disclosed herein can be used to latch any type of compartment, regardless of any particular sealing requirements of the compartment. Other exemplary storage compartments include conventional drawers, such as on medical vehicles, carts, cabinets, or containers (whether stationary or mobile), to draw in any make sure the drawer is closed. Other types of compartments are also contemplated as are other applications in which two components are to be drawn or held together. 
     The disclosed latch assemblies are particularly suitable for use to seal compartments against weather by compressing the door of a compartment shut. The door may be compressed directly against the housing of the compartment, or may be indirectly compressed against the compartment housing (e.g., by way of a gasket or other element designed to help maintain a seal capable of reducing or preventing the ingress of fluid into the interior of the compartment). The disclosed latch assemblies may be operable to create the compression from a predetermined open position of the door relative to the compartment, so that the door is reliably moved to a closed position. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-8  illustrate an exemplary latch assembly  100  configured to releasably compress components against one another in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Latch assembly  100  may compress the components directly against one another, or may indirectly compress the components together via an intervening component, such as a gasket. Latch assembly  100  may be usable to create a watertight and/or airtight seal against the environment outside the interior of the compartment. As an overview, latch assembly  100  includes a latch  110  and a receiver  170 . Additional details of assembly  100  are described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , latch  110  may be coupled to the compartment housing (e.g. the structure defining the walls and opening of the compartment), and receiver  170  may be coupled to the compartment door (e.g. the structure movable to open and close the opening of the compartment). Exemplary compartment housing coupling structure  10  and compartment door coupling structure  70  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, latch  110  may be coupled to the compartment door and receiver  170  may be coupled to the compartment housing. 
     Latch  110  controls the opening and closing of the storage compartment to which latch assembly  100  is attached. As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , latch  110  has a housing  112  which may provide a watertight or airtight seal for protecting components in an interior region of housing  112 . Housing  112  further includes one or more mounting bosses  114  including mounting holes  116  for securing latch  110  to a component of the compartment, as shown in  FIG. 2A . In an exemplary embodiment, housing  112  is screwed or bolted to the housing defining the compartment by way of mounting holes  116 . 
     Latch  110  further includes a pin  118 . Housing  112  includes an aperture that extends between the interior region and an exterior of housing  112  to accommodate pin  118 . Pin  118  extends outward through the aperture in housing  112  along a pin axis  120 , shown by a dotted line in  FIG. 2C . As will be explained below with respect to the operation of latch assembly  100 , pin  118  is mounted within housing  112  so as to be longitudinally movable along pin axis  120 . Pin  118  may be movable between a distally extended position, shown in  FIG. 4 , and a proximally retracted position, shown in  FIG. 5 . In both positions, at least a portion of pin  118  is positioned outside of housing  112 . 
     Latch  110  further includes a motor  122 . Motor  122  is operatively coupled with pin  118 , such that operation of motor  122  moves pin  118  longitudinally along pin axis  120 . Latch  110  may include plurality of gears  124  for operatively coupling motor  122  to pin  118 . An exemplary connection between motor  122  and pin  118  is described below with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
     In this embodiment, a first gear  124  is mounted on the shaft  126  of motor  122 , and rotatably engages with a second gear  124 . The second gear  124  is mounted on a gear shaft  128 , to which a positional screw  130  is coaxially mounted. Accordingly, gears  124  transmit the rotational force generated by motor  122  to positional screw  130 . 
     Positional screw  130  is threaded within a helical guide  132 , which is rigidly coupled to pin  118 . Rotation of positional screw  130  by motor  122  results in an upward or downward movement of helical guide  132  relative to positional screw  130 . This upward or downward movement of helical guide  132  is transmitted to pin  118 , with the result that pin  118  is moved upward or downward along pin axis  120  due to rotation of motor  122 . 
     It will be understood that the above-described coupling between motor  122  and pin  118  is exemplary and not intended to be limiting. For example, a different number of gears  124  may be used, or a different mechanism for transmission of force from motor  122  to pin  118  may be used, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Latch  110  is not limited to the above-described components, but may include alternate or additional components, as would be understood by one ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. 
     Latch  110  may also include a sensor  134 . Sensor  134  is associated with latch  110  and operable to detect a position of pin  118  along pin axis  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, sensor  134  is a Hall effect sensor, and is mounted on a circuit board  136 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Board  136  may include other components, such as those associated with the control and powering of motor  122 . Suitable components for controlling the operation of motor  122 , such as processor or inverter circuits, will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. 
     In this embodiment, latch  110  further includes at least one magnet  138 . Magnet  138  is coupled to pin  118  and positioned to be detected by sensor  134  as pin  118  is moved longitudinally along pin axis  120 . For example, magnet  138  may be embedded in a collar  140  surrounding pin  118 . Sensor  134  may detect magnet  138  when pin  118  is extended distally along pin axis  120  from housing  112 , or when pin  118  is retracted proximally along pin axis  120  into housing  112 . 
     In a further embodiment, latch  110  includes multiple sensors  134 . An upper sensor  134  is positioned to detect magnet  138  when pin  118  is extend distally along pin axis  120 , and a lower sensor  134  is positioned to detect magnet  138  when pin  118  is retracted proximally along pin axis  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . While these embodiments are described herein with respect to magnet  138  being coupled to pin  118  and sensors  134  being stationary within housing  112 , it will be understood that the invention is not so limited, and that in other embodiments, a sensor  134  may be coupled to pin  118  with multiple magnets  138  being stationary within housing  112 . 
     Latch  110  may also include one or more components designed to improve the accuracy of detection of the position of pin  118 . In an exemplary embodiment, latch  110  comprises a barrier  142  positioned between sensors  134  and magnet  138 . Barrier  142  may be configured, for example, as a cylinder surrounding pin  118 , or as a wall positioned adjacent circuit board  136  on one side of pin  118 . In a further exemplary embodiment, barrier  142  is part of guide  160 , described below. 
     Barrier  142  is formed from a material that fully or partially blocks magnetic flux from magnet  138  to sensors  134 . Suitable materials for forming barrier  142  will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. 
     Barrier  142  composes a flux pipe  144  positioned adjacent each sensor  134  on circuit board  136 . Flux pipes  144  are openings in barrier  142  through which magnetic flux from magnet  138  may be communicated to sensors  134 . By controlling the size and positioning of flux pipes  144 , the accuracy of sensors  134  in detecting the position of pin  118  may be improved. Additionally, because flux pipes  144  are only positioned adjacent sensors  134  at the distally extended and proximally retracted positions in this embodiment, magnet  138  is not sensed by sensors  134  during movement between these positions. 
     In addition to sensing a position of pin  118 , latch  110  may include a sensor  146  for sensing a position of receiver  170 . Sensor  146  is associated with latch  110  and operable to detect the presence of receiver  170 , e.g., when latch assembly  100  is in the open position. In an exemplary embodiment, sensor  146  is also a Hall effect sensor, and is mounted on an opposite surface of circuit board  136  as sensors  134 . 
     In this embodiment, latch  110  includes another barrier positioned between sensor  146  and receiver  170 . This other barrier may be formed by the wall of housing  112 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . As with barrier  142 , the wall of housing  112  may be formed from a material that fully or partially blocks magnetic flux from receiver  170  to sensor  146 . Likewise, the wall of housing  112  may comprise a flux pipe  148  positioned adjacent sensor  146  for allowing magnetic flux from receiver  170  to be communicated to sensor  146 . 
     While these embodiments are described herein with respect to a magnet being coupled to receiver  170  and sensor  146  being coupled to latch  110 , it will be understood that the invention is not so limited, and that in other embodiments, a sensor  146  may be coupled to receiver  170  with a magnet being coupled to latch  110 . 
     Instead of magnetic sensors as set forth above, it will be understood that other sensors could be used to detect the position of pin  118  or receiver  170 . For example, sensors  134  may be infrared or light sensors configured to detect a change in a light path when pin  118  or receiver  170  are in a predetermined position. For another example, mechanical switches may be used to determine when pin  118  or receiver  170  are in a predetermined position. Other suitable sensors for use with latch assembly  100  will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. 
     As set forth above, latch  110  includes a housing  112  accommodating the components therein. In one embodiment, housing  112  may have a single piece design in order to provide a watertight and/or airtight seal from the surrounding environment. In an alternative embodiment, housing  112  may be formed from multiple components, as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C . In this embodiment, housing  112  comprises a wall portion  150 , an upper endcap  152 , and a lower endcap  154 . Upper endcap  152  is coupled to wall portion  150  via an upper sealing gasket  156 , and lower endcap  154  is coupled to wall portion  150  via a lower sealing gasket  158 . 
     Upper sealing gasket  156  is shaped to accommodate the components of latch  110 , including a through-hole to enable pin  118  to extend out of housing  112 . Upper sealing gasket  156  does not block the longitudinal movement of pin  118  described above, while providing a seal with pin  118  to protect against ingress of fluid from the exterior of housing  112  into the interior region of housing  112 . To this end, in this embodiment, the through-hole in upper sealing gasket  156  has a diameter no larger than an external diameter of pin  118 , in order to maintain contact between upper sealing gasket  156  and pin  118  during the longitudinal movement of pin  118  along pin axis  120 . Lower sealing gasket  158  may be formed, for example, as an O-ring, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In additional to moving longitudinally, pin  118  may further be mounted for rotational movement about pin axis  120  in latch  110 . Such rotational movement may occur during the longitudinal movement of pin  118  along pin axis  120 . An exemplary rotation of pin  118  is described below with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, latch  110  comprises a guide  160 . Guide  160  causes rotational movement of pin  118  during the longitudinal movement of pin  118  along pin axis  120 . To this end, guide  160  may have a cylindrical or partially cylindrical shape so as to surround at least a portion of pin  118 . 
     Pin  118  and guide  160  interact via a mating engagement. In this engagement, pin  118  includes a post  162  extending transversely relative to pin axis  120 . Guide  160  surrounds pin  118  and includes a slot  164  positioned to receive the post. Slot  164  curves toward the top of guide  160 , so as to have an approximate upside-down a-shape. As pin  118  is moved along the pin axis from the proximally retracted position toward the distally extended position, post  162  rides in the straight portion of slot  164 . When post  162  reaches and rides in the curved portion of slot  164  (shown by arrow in  FIG. 6 ), pin  118  is rotated around pin axis  120 . Guide  160  may be configured to rotate pin  118  approximately 90 degrees between the proximally retracted position and the distally extended position. This rotation is used to attach latch  110  onto receiver  170 , as will be discussed below. 
     While the above embodiment is described with respect to post  162  being coupled to pin  118  and slot  164  being formed in guide  160 , it will be understood that the invention is not so limited, and that in other embodiments, post  162  may be coupled to guide  160 , and slot  164  may be formed in pin  118 . 
     Receiver  170  mates with latch  110 . As shown in  FIG. 3D , receiver  170  defines an aperture  172  shaped to accommodate pin  118  of latch  110 . Aperture  172  extends along a receiver axis into the body of receiver  170 . When receiver  170  is mated with latch  110 , aperture  172  is positioned to receive pin  118 . 
     Receiver  170  includes a retainer  174  biased toward the receiver axis defined by aperture  172 . Retainer  174  is shaped to engage, with a corresponding portion of pin  118  in order to attach receiver  170  to latch  110 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, retainer  174  comprises a pair of retention blades  176 , shown in  FIGS. 7A-7D . Retention blades  176  are rotatably mounted on pins  180 , and are biased toward the axis of aperture  172  by respective springs  178 . When pin  118  is fully inserted into aperture  172 , retention blades  176  contact the outside of pin  118 , as shown in  FIG. 7A . 
     While retention blades  176  are described herein as being rotatable to engage pin  118 , it will be understood that the invention is not so limited. For example, one or more retainer components such as, retention blades  176  may be slidable or otherwise repositionable in order to move between a disengaged and an engaged position, relative to pin  118 . Alternatively, the retainer may be a component having an aperture for receiving the pin  118 , the component being mounted and biased to engage the pin but movable to release the pin  118 . Additional detail regarding the engagement of retainer  174  to pin  118  are provided below with respect to the operation of latch assembly  100 . 
     Receiver  170  is not limited to the above-described components, but may include alternate or additional components, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. 
     Receiver  170  may further include a housing  182 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D . Housing  182  may provide a watertight or airtight seal for protecting components in an interior region of housing  182 . Housing  182  defines the aperture  172  for receiving pin  118  of latch  110 . Like housing  112 , housing  182  includes one or more mounting bosses  184  including mounting holes  186  for securing receiver to a component of the compartment, as shown in  FIG. 3A . In an exemplary embodiment, housing  182  is screwed or bolted to the compartment door by way of mounting holes  186 . 
     In one embodiment, housing  182  may have a single piece design in order to provide a watertight and/or airtight seal from the surrounding environment. In an alternative embodiment, housing  182  may be formed from multiple components, as shown in  FIG. 3C . In this embodiment, housing  182  comprises a wall portion  188  and an upper endcap  190 . Upper endcap  190  may be coupled to wall portion  188  via a sealing gasket. 
     Housing  182  of receiver  170  may include one or more alignment surfaces  192 . Alignment surfaces extend downwardly from the body of housing  182 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3C . Alignment surfaces  192  are positioned to contact housing  112  of latch  110  when latch assembly  100  is in the open position. Alignment surfaces  192  are positioned to align pin axis  120  with the receiver axis defined by aperture  172 , in order to ensure proper attachment of receiver  170  to latch  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, alignment surfaces contact multiple (e.g., three) different sides of latch  110  in order to create the desired alignment. 
     As set forth above, latch  110  may include a sensor  146  for sensing a position of receiver  170 . In this exemplary embodiment, receiver  170  includes a magnet  194  for detection by Hall effect sensor  146 . Magnet  194  is positioned to be detected by sensor  146  when latch assembly  100  is in the open position, e.g., when pin  118  is extended distally along pin axis  120  and is received within aperture  172 . Magnet  194  may be mounted in a wall of one of the alignment surfaces  192 , as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 4 . 
     As set forth above, retainer  174  engages pin  118  to hold it in place within aperture  172 . To effect this engagement, pin  118  may include an engagement surface  196  formed on the distal end thereof. Engagement surface  196  extends transversely to pin axis  120 . Retainer  174  is positioned to contact engagement surface  196  of pin  118  when pin  118  begins to retract from aperture  172 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, engagement surface  196  may be formed by a pair of undercuts in pin  118 , as best shown in  FIG. 7A . Retention blades  176  are biased by a spring  178  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) to move into respective undercuts to contact the upper and/or lower surfaces of the undercuts when pin  118  is inserted into aperture  172 . This contact between retention blades  176  and engagement surface  196  is maintained when pin  118  is retracted proximally into housing  112  of latch  110 . This results in compression of receiver  170  against latch  110 . 
     During compression of the compartment door against the compartment housing (e.g., to seal the opening of the compartment), latch assembly  100  has two positions, referred to herein as an open position (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and a latched position (shown in  FIG. 5 ). The features of each position are described below. 
     In the open position, pin  118  is extended distally along pin axis  120  from housing  112 , such that pin  118  is received in aperture  172  of receiver  170 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Pin  118  is desirably inserted into aperture  172  up until the uppermost end of pin  118  contacts an upper surface of aperture  172 . 
     Latch assembly  100  may detect that it is in the open position when sensor  146  detects the presence of magnet  194 . Power to motor  122  may be automatically turned on when latch assembly  100  detects that it is in the open position to (e.g., that receiver  170  is present), to begin a latching operation of latch assembly  100 . 
     When pin  118  is in the distally extended position, it is rotated 90 degrees by guide  160 , as described above. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the rotation of pin  118  moves the undercuts that form engagement surface  196  to be orthogonal to retention blades  176 . Accordingly, when pin  118  is distally extended, retention blades  176  contact the outer edge of pin  118 , and cannot engage with engagement surface  196  on pin  118 . This enables receiver  170  to be removed from latch  110  without manipulation or operation of either component. 
     As pin  118  begins to be retracted by motor  122 , pin  118  begins to rotate due to the shape of guide  160 . During this retraction, receiver  170  remains in contact with latch  110  due, e.g., to the force of gravity on the compartment door (and corresponding force on receiver  170 ). As the rotation of pin  118  continues, retention blades  176  begin to move into the undercuts that form engagement surface  196  due to the force of the spring(s) on retention blades  176 , as shown in  FIG. 7B . This movement creates an engagement between retainer  174  and pin  118 , which holds receiver  170  to latch  110  during retraction of pin  118 . 
     In the latched position, pin  118  is retracted proximally along pin axis  120  into housing  112 . This retraction occurs while retainer  174  is engaged with pin  118 . During this retraction, the rotation of pin  118  is completed, such that the undercuts defining engagement surface  196  face retention blades  176 . This allows retention blades  176  to be fully moved into the undercuts, as shown in  FIGS. 7C and 7D , thus securing the engagement between retainer  174  and pin  118 , in the latched position, receiver  170  is compressed directly or indirectly against latch  110 , with the force of the compression being created by the engagement between retainer  174  and pin  118 . 
     The full, amount of retraction of pin  118  following engagement with retainer  174  is set to achieve a desired level of compression of the components of the compartment. In other words, the length of travel of pin  118  from the distally extended position to the proximally retracted position should correspond to the amount of force desired for sealing the compartment. In a preferred embodiment, pin  118  has a travel distance of at least approximately ¾ inch (19 mm) between the open position (once the pin  118  is inserted into aperture  172 ) and the latched position. This distance may enable a compressive loading of at least approximately 15 lbs. for a single latch assembly  100 . 
     Latch assembly  100  may detect that it is in the latched position when the lower sensor  134  detects the presence of magnet  138  via the lower flux pipe  144 . Power to motor  122  may be automatically turned off when latch assembly  100  detects that it is in the latched position. 
     Receiver  170  may also include a release mechanism  198 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Release mechanism  198  is configured to disengage retainer  174  from pin  118 . Release mechanism  198  may be configured to disengage receiver  170  from latch  110  in situations where the automatic disengaging operation is net functioning properly for any reason or is otherwise intentionally disabled. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, release mechanism  198  includes an arm  200  positioned within housing  182  of receiver  170 . Arm  200  contacts retainer  174  such that movement of arm  200  moves retainer  174  away from the receiver axis defined by aperture  172 , thus disengaging retainer  174  from pin  118 . 
     In a further exemplary embodiment, arm  200  is actuated by a cable  202 . Cable  202  extends outward from housing  182  of receiver  170  through another aperture  204 , as shown in  FIG. 3A , in order to be grasped or pulled by a user. Cable  202  may be coupled to arm  200 , e.g., by positioning through a slot or through-hole in arm  200 . When cable  202  is pulled, arm  200  is rotated around an axis within receiver  170 . As arm  200  rotates, it presses against surfaces  206  on retention blades  176 . Surfaces  206  are shaped such that, when pressed by arm  200 , retention blades  176  are forced outward and away from the axis defined by aperture  172 . Accordingly, when cable  202  is pulled, retention blades  176  are disengaged from pin  118 , and receiver  170  may be separated from latch  110 . 
     In some embodiments, multiple latch assemblies  100  may be used to secure a single compartment as part of a latch system. An exemplary latch system comprising multiple latch assemblies  100  is shown in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, each latch assembly  100  includes a latch coupled to one of the compartment housing and the compartment door, and a receiver coupled to the other one of the compartment housing and the compartment door. 
     In these embodiments, at least one of the latch assemblies  100  includes a transmitter. The transmitter may be mounted on the circuit board of the associated latch assembly  100 . The transmitter is configured to send a signal to one or more of the other latch assemblies  100  when its associated latch assembly  100  is in the open position (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     At least one of the latch assemblies  100  has a signal receiver. The signal receiver may also be mounted on the circuit board of the associated latch assembly  100 . The signal receiver is configured to detect the signal transmitted from another latch assembly  100 . 
     Signals may be transmitted between latch assemblies  100  by wire in the compartment door or compartment housing. Alternatively, latch assemblies  100  may include wireless transmitters or receivers for transmitting signals therebetween. Examiner communication paths between the latch assemblies  100  is illustrated by arrows in  FIG. 9 . Suitable transmitters or signal receivers for use in communicating between latch assemblies  100  will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. 
     In this embodiment, the control circuits of latch assemblies  100  are configured to operate to seal the compartment in concert. As such, latch assemblies  100  are configured to move the receiver to the latched position (shown in  FIG. 5 ) only after all latch assemblies  100  transmit the signal that they are in the open position (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In one example, one latch assembly  100  may act as a master, and may broadcast a signal to the remaining latch assemblies to move the receiver once it receives a signal that each latch assembly  100  is in the open position. In another example, each latch assembly  100  may be configured to move the receiver once it receives a signal that each latch assembly  100  is in the open position. 
     A preferred exemplary embodiment of the operation of a latch system is described below. When latching according to this embodiment, each latch assembly in the system is configured to actuate and respond independently of the remaining latches. In particular, each latch assembly responds upon detecting the presence of its respective receiver. This response may include transmitting a signal on a status line connecting each latch (e.g., an indication that the respective latch assembly is in the open position). In an exemplary embodiment, the status line is represented by bi-directional arrows between latch assemblies  100  in  FIG. 9 . 
     When each latch assembly has broadcast such a status signal to indicate to the remaining latch assemblies that it is in the open position, all latch assemblies of the system are configured to begin actuating to move to the latched position. During a releasing operation, all latch assemblies will receive the same signal via a command line (which may be different from or the same as the status line set forth above). Each latch assembly will then filter the actuation signal and then commence unlatching. 
     Where multiple latch assemblies  100  are used, the cables  202  from each assembly  100  may be joined or grouped together, as shown in  FIG. 9 . Connecting cables  202  from each latch assembly desirably allows a single pull to mechanically release all latch assemblies  100 . 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.