Vehicle Door Child Lock Linkage With Fewer Levers

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing power child lock devices for vehicle rear doors have complex structures, which increase weight and cost due to the use of multiple levers, complicating the locking and unlocking mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A simplified power child lock device using a rotation driving mechanism with a drive motor, switch link, and fewer levers, where the switch link moves vertically to connect or separate the inside handle lever and release lever through a pin and coupling mechanism, reducing the number of components and simplifying the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple levers are used to implement power child lock function, then the locking and unlocking mechanism can be achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking and unlocking mechanismVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple separate levers (first operating lever, second operating lever, release lever) into a single integrated lever structure. This lever has a first arm that engages with the worm gear and a second arm that connects to the door lock device, eliminating the need for separate levers while maintaining the locking and unlocking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single lever serves multiple functions: it acts as both the operating lever for the worm gear and the release lever for the door lock device. By making the lever multi-functional, the patent reduces the total number of components needed in the power child lock mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple levers are used to implement power child lock function, then the locking and unlocking mechanism can be achieved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking and unlocking mechanismVSAvoidmechanism weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple separate levers (first operating lever, second operating lever, release lever) into a single integrated lever structure. This lever has a first arm that engages with the worm gear and a second arm that connects to the door lock device, eliminating the need for separate levers while maintaining the locking and unlocking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple levers are used to implement power child lock function, then the locking and unlocking mechanism can be achieved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking and unlocking mechanismVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple separate levers (first operating lever, second operating lever, release lever) into a single integrated lever structure. This lever has a first arm that engages with the worm gear and a second arm that connects to the door lock device, eliminating the need for separate levers while maintaining the locking and unlocking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components (the first operating lever and second operating lever) from the mechanism, keeping only the essential lever that directly connects the worm gear to the door lock device. This simplification reduces manufacturing steps and component costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces the complexity, weight, and cost of the mechanism while enhancing operational reliability by streamlining the power child lock and release functions, allowing for efficient locking and unlocking of the rear door.

Implementation Method 1

a worm serving as a driving gear provided in the drive motor, a first operating lever having a worm gear that meshes with the worm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWorm gear mechanism: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentEP3783173B1A vehicle door comprising a power child lock device

Publication Date: 2022.05.04 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

A power child lock device includes a rotation driving mechanism, a switch link connected to the rotation driving means so as to be moved vertically by a rotational force of the rotation driving means, an inside handle lever cooperatively connected to an inside handle installed in a door of a vehicle, a release lever connected to a door catch and configured to lock or release the door catch, and a power child lever configured to selectively connect or separate the inside handle lever and the release lever by being moved by the switch link.