Vehicle Child Lock Indicator Lever Seals Panel Hole
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power child lock systems for vehicles require separate inner panels with mounting holes and symbol marks for manual and power child lock systems, leading to increased manufacturing costs and space inefficiencies in vehicle assembly plants, as well as a high likelihood of missed plug insertions during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A power child lock system with an indicator lever that selectively indicates a lock or unlock position, which is mounted under the mounting hole and has a larger diameter than the hole, ensuring reliable closure and reducing the need for dual inner panels, thereby allowing a unified inner panel design for both systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate inner panels with mounting holes and symbol marks are supplied for manual and power child lock systems, then the systems can be individually configured, but the manufacturing cost increases and space for loading inner panels in the vehicle manufacturing plant becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a unified inner panel that can accommodate both manual and power child lock systems. The panel includes a mounting hole and symbol marks that work with both system types, eliminating the need for separate specialized panels. This multi-functional design allows the same panel to serve dual purposes, reducing variety and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the requirements for manual and power child lock systems into a single unified inner panel design. By combining the mounting features and symbol markings into one standardized panel, the invention consolidates what were previously separate components, thereby reducing the number of panel types needed and optimizing manufacturing processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If the mounting hole is sealed by inserting a plug into the mounting hole for vehicles with power child lock system, then a unified inner panel can be supplied, but the plug insertion may be frequently missed during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator lever performs self-service by automatically sealing the mounting hole through its own structure. The lever is positioned such that its body covers the mounting hole, eliminating the need for a separate plug component. This self-sealing mechanism ensures the hole is always sealed without requiring additional assembly steps that could be missed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the plug component and integrates it directly into the indicator lever structure. By removing the separate plug element and incorporating the sealing capability into the existing lever, the design simplifies the assembly process and eliminates a potential failure point where plugs might be missed during installation.
3Manufacturing precision
If dual inner panels are loaded separately in the vehicle manufacturing plant, then each panel type can be properly positioned, but the space for loading them becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The unified inner panel design allows the same panel to be used for both manual and power child lock systems, eliminating the need to store and manage multiple panel types. This universality reduces the variety of components that need to be loaded separately, thereby freeing up manufacturing plant space while maintaining proper positioning through standardized mounting features.
Data Source
AI summary
A power child lock system for a vehicle includes a power actuator, a wheel gear which is rotated by the power actuator, a child lock link which is moved by the wheel gear, a child lock lever which is moved by the child lock link, an inside lever which is connected to an inside handle assembly through a cable, a release lever which is mechanically connected to a door latch mechanism, and an indicator lever which is rotatable by the movement of the child lock link. The indicator lever is mounted to close a mounting hole of an inner panel.