The Boeing Company
Cargo restraint assurance system

Abstract:

The latch detection system and latch detection method disclosed herein determines an orientation of one or more latches used to secure cargo in a cargo hold, and thus improves latch security and cargo transportation safety. To that end, aspects presented herein provide an optical latch detection system that detects whether one or more latches are in the locked or unlocked orientation. More particularly, aspects presented herein rely on a reflective laser system to determine the orientation of one or more latches based on the amount of reflected light detected by the laser system. In so doing, the disclosed latch detection system provides a reliable and repeatable option for determining the orientation of latch(es) in a cargo hold.