Vehicle Door Closer Release-Canceling Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The vehicle door closer device experiences electric trouble during the releasing action, causing the rotary member to be held in a released state, which prevents the latch mechanism from engaging with the striker, thereby disabling the door from closing.
Innovation Solution
The door closer device incorporates a planetary gear mechanism and a release-canceling mechanism, including first and second release-output levers and a canceling lever, which allow the ratchet to disengage from the latch, enabling the door to open, and a canceling lever mechanism to reset the system, ensuring the door can close immediately by disconnecting the release-holding state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor drives the rotary member in releasing action, then the latch mechanism is released to enable the door to open, but electric trouble occurs causing the rotary member to be held in released state and the door cannot close
Solution Approach 1:
A release-canceling mechanism is introduced as an intermediary system between the motor and the latch mechanism. This mechanism includes a release-canceling lever that can disconnect the transmission path from the rotary member to the latch mechanism, allowing the door to close even when the rotary member is held in the released state due to electric trouble.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasing function is segmented into two independent control paths: the normal motor-driven releasing path and the emergency release-canceling path. This segmentation allows the door closing function to be restored by activating the release-canceling mechanism when the motor fails, resolving the contradiction between releasing reliability and door closing capability.
2Ease of operation
If the rotary member is held in released state due to electric trouble, then the door can open, but the latch mechanism cannot engage with the striker to close the door
Solution Approach 1:
The release-canceling mechanism serves as a mediator that can override the held released state of the rotary member. By actuating the release-canceling lever, the transmission connection is disconnected, allowing the latch mechanism to engage with the striker and close the door even when the motor fails to return the rotary member to its initial position.
3Reliability
If a release-canceling mechanism is added to cancel the release-holding state, then the door can close immediately, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A release-canceling lever is introduced as a simple intermediary mechanical component that can disconnect the transmission path. This lever-based mechanism provides a straightforward solution to restore door closing function without requiring complex electronic control systems or multiple additional actuators, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable door closing restoration.
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 allows for immediate cancellation of the release-holding state, ensuring the door can open safely while enhancing security by preventing objects from being trapped and enabling the door to close properly, addressing the electric trouble issue in existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a planetary gear mechanism and a release-canceling mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a spring member, biased in a direction to return the release-canceling lever to an initial position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door closer device comprises a latch that is capable of engaging with a striker of a vehicle body; a ratchet that is capable of engaging with the latch; and a release-canceling mechanism that comprises a first release-output lever, a second release-output lever and a canceling lever. A locking knob is operated, and the canceling lever disconnects a motion transmitting path between the first release-output lever and the second release-output lever thereby enabling the ratchet to engage with the latch, so that a vehicle door can be closed.