Self-aligning modular latch

1. A mechanism for securing a lid to a housing, the mechanism comprising:

a latch comprising a flange and a retention feature that extends from the flange, the flange being received in a planar slot of the lid such that the latch is moveable parallel to the planar slot; and

a latch mechanism coupled to the housing, the latch mechanism comprising:

an engagement element freely movable between a first position, in which a portion of the engagement element is vertically interposed between the retention feature and the lid, and a second position, the engagement element configured to engage the retention feature in the first position to prevent vertical movement of the lid, and disengage from the retention feature in the second position to permit vertical movement of the lid; and

a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface, wherein engagement of the first alignment feature against a first reference surface of the retention feature laterally translates the latch within the planar slot and in a first direction parallel to the planar slot when the lid is moved toward the housing, the lid having the latch laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the first alignment feature engaging against the first reference surface such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the retention feature displaces the engagement element in the first direction toward the second position as the retention feature passes between the first alignment feature and the engagement element.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first alignment feature is coupled to the housing.

4. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises a second alignment feature configured to laterally displace the latch in the second direction when the lid is moved toward the housing with the latch laterally displaced in the first direction.

5. The mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the second alignment feature is coupled to the housing.

6. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the latch comprises a second reference surface perpendicular to the first reference surface.

7. The mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises a third alignment feature having a second alignment surface, the third alignment feature configured to laterally displace the latch in a third direction being perpendicular to the first direction, when the lid is moved toward the housing with the latch laterally displaced in a fourth direction away from the engagement element that is opposite to the third direction, such that the second reference surface aligns with the second alignment surface.

8. The mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the third alignment feature is coupled to the housing.

9. The mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises a fourth alignment feature configured to laterally displace the latch in the fourth direction when the lid is moved toward the housing with the latch laterally displaced in the third direction.

10. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a biasing element configured to direct the engagement element in the second direction toward the first position.

11. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the engagement element is rotatably coupled to the housing.

12. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein a memory alloy wire actuator is coupled between the engagement element and the housing, the memory alloy configured to direct the engagement element in the first direction toward the second position.

13. A method of securing a lid to a housing, the method comprising:

moving the lid comprising a latch toward the housing, the latch comprising a flange and a retention feature extending from the flange, wherein the flange is received in a planar slot of the lid such that the latch is moveable parallel to the planar slot, and the housing comprising a latch mechanism comprising a first alignment feature and an engagement element freely movable between a first position, in which a portion of the engagement element is interposed between the retention feature and the lid, and a second position;

engaging the latch against the first alignment feature to laterally translate the latch within the planar slot and in a first direction parallel to the planar slot when the lid is moved toward the housing, wherein

the lid includes the latch laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and

the latch is engaged against the first alignment feature such that a first reference surface of the retention feature aligns with a first alignment surface of the first alignment feature; and

directing the engagement element to the first position such that the engagement element interlocks with the retention feature to prevent vertical movement of the lid.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising directing the engagement element in the first direction to the second position to permit vertical movement of the lid.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising displacing the engagement element in the first direction toward the second position as the retention feature passes between the first alignment feature and the engagement element.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising laterally displacing the latch in the second direction when the lid is moved toward the housing with the latch laterally translated in the first direction.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising engaging the latch against the latch mechanism to laterally displace the latch in a third direction when the lid is moved toward the housing with the latch laterally displaced in a fourth direction away from the engagement element that is opposite to the third direction, such that a second reference surface of the latch, perpendicular to the first reference surface, is aligned with a second alignment surface.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising laterally displacing the latch in the fourth direction when the lid is moved toward the housing with the latch laterally displaced in the third direction.

19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising directing the engagement element, using a biasing element, in the second direction toward the first position.

20. A mechanism for securing a lid to a housing, the mechanism comprising:

a latch being moveable relative to the lid in a planar slot of the lid, the latch extending from the lid and comprising a retention feature having a first reference surface; and

a latch mechanism coupled to the housing, the latch mechanism comprising:

an engagement element, freely movable between a first position and a second position, configured to engage the retention feature in the first position to prevent vertical movement of the lid, and disengage from the retention feature in the second position to permit vertical movement of the lid;

a first alignment feature, wherein the latch is laterally translated within the planar slot and in a first direction parallel to the planar slot when the lid is moved toward the housing with the latch laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and

a second alignment feature, wherein the latch is laterally displaced in a third direction, being perpendicular to the first direction, within the planar slot when the lid is moved toward the housing with the latch laterally displaced in a fourth direction away from the engagement element that is opposite to the third direction.