A controllable shape memory alloy (SMA) hinge apparatus comprises multiple SMA elements to effect a first angle of rotation and a second angle of rotation between a first object and a second object. In one example, respective SMA elements are independently activated by Joule heating to rotate the first object and/or the second object. SMA elements undergo a three-dimensional transformation, and a pair of elements may undergo antagonistic transformations so as to provide for a multiple-use bidirectional non-continuous rotary actuator. SMA elements may be trained to achieve different angles of rotations between the objects (e.g., zero degrees and 90 degrees). In some examples, the first object may be a spacecraft (e.g., a satellite) and the second object may be a deployable structure (e.g., a robotic appendage, a deployable solar panel, a deployable aperture, a deployable mirror, a deployable radiator, and at least one actuator to steer an antenna dish).

A housing structure of an optical module with self-sinking unlocking comprises: a base, an upper cover, a rotating lug, a support rod and a pull ring; wherein the rotating lug comprises a first connecting piece a lug, a second connecting piece and a stem, wherein the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are respectively horizontally disposed at two ends of the stem, and the lug is disposed on the stem; and the pull ring comprises a fixing shaft, a rotating shaft and a side rod; wherein the second connecting piece of the rotating lug is disposed on the bas; the first connecting piece of the rotating lug is coupled to a right connecting piece of the support rod; a left hole of the support rod is coupled to the rotating shaft of the pull ring.

A housing structure of an optical module with self-sinking unlocking comprises: a base, an upper cover, a rotating lug, a support rod and a pull ring; wherein the rotating lug comprises a first connecting piece a lug, a second connecting piece and a stem, wherein the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are respectively horizontally disposed at two ends of the stem, and the lug is disposed on the stem; and the pull ring comprises a fixing shaft, a rotating shaft and a side rod; wherein the second connecting piece of the rotating lug is disposed on the bas; the first connecting piece of the rotating lug is coupled to a right connecting piece of the support rod; a left hole of the support rod is coupled to the rotating shaft of the pull ring.

In one embodiment, a system includes a first object, a second object, and a latch. The latch includes a worm gear, a spur gear, and a lever arm. The spur gear rotates in response to rotating the worm gear. The lever arm rotates in response to rotating the spur gear. The first object latches to the second object in response to rotating the lever arm.

In one embodiment, a system includes a first object, a second object, and a latch. The latch includes a worm gear, a spur gear, and a lever arm. The spur gear rotates in response to rotating the worm gear. The lever arm rotates in response to rotating the spur gear. The first object latches to the second object in response to rotating the lever arm.

A latch mechanism having a latch apparatus that is pivotally displaced about a latch axis and a cam device is that pivotally displaced along a transverse cam axis. The cam device is configured to operably engage the latch apparatus so as to at least assist in securing the latch apparatus in a locked position. When the latch apparatus is to be displaced to an unlocked position, the cam device may be pivoted about the transverse cam axis to a position in which, the cam device does not impede with the pivotal displacement of the latch apparatus. The latch apparatus may also be configured to prevent the pivotal displacement of the cam device when the latch apparatus is in the unlocked position. According to other embodiments, the latch apparatus may be pivotally displaced about a transverse latch axis by the displacement of a latch link.

A latch mechanism having a latch apparatus that is pivotally displaced about a latch axis and a cam device is that pivotally displaced along a transverse cam axis. The cam device is configured to operably engage the latch apparatus so as to at least assist in securing the latch apparatus in a locked position. When the latch apparatus is to be displaced to an unlocked position, the cam device may be pivoted about the transverse cam axis to a position in which, the cam device does not impede with the pivotal displacement of the latch apparatus. The latch apparatus may also be configured to prevent the pivotal displacement of the cam device when the latch apparatus is in the unlocked position. According to other embodiments, the latch apparatus may be pivotally displaced about a transverse latch axis by the displacement of a latch link.

A closing device for a storage compartment, in particular of a motor vehicle, having a closing element, slidable on a frame, for releasing or closing a frame opening of the frame, and a locking device for locking the closing element in at least one sliding position, wherein the locking device has at least one actuating handle, which is disposed on the closing element and projects from the closing element for gripping, and is coupled to the locking device for locking and releasing the locking. It is provided that the actuating handle is disposed displaceable on the closing element only in one plane, in particular parallel to the frame. The invention further relates to a storage compartment for a motor vehicle with such a closing device.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body that defines an opening, a vehicle door that is movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the opening, a first surface, and a second surface. The first surface is defined on one of the vehicle body and the door and the second surface is defined on the other of the vehicle body and the door. A first latch portion is concealed behind the first surface. A second latch portion is concealed behind the second surface in an unlatched position and is movable to a latched position in which the second latch portion extends into the first latch portion and engages the first latch portion. A locking structure restrains disengagement of the second latch portion from the first latch portion in the latched position.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body that defines an opening, a vehicle door that is movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the opening, a first surface, and a second surface. The first surface is defined on one of the vehicle body and the door and the second surface is defined on the other of the vehicle body and the door. A first latch portion is concealed behind the first surface. A second latch portion is concealed behind the second surface in an unlatched position and is movable to a latched position in which the second latch portion extends into the first latch portion and engages the first latch portion. A locking structure restrains disengagement of the second latch portion from the first latch portion in the latched position.