Automotive Side Door Emergency Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power side doors in automobiles may fail to function during electrical power disruptions, potentially leaving passengers locked in or out, as they require electrical power to open and close.
Innovation Solution
An emergency release system comprising a latch, cable, and handle connected to the latch via the cable, allowing the door to be mechanically unlatched in the absence of electrical power through a three-step process, ensuring mechanical opening of the door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power side door is used to automatically open and close, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates during electrical power disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening system is segmented into two independent subsystems: an electrically powered actuator for normal operation and a mechanical cable-latch system for emergency operation. This segmentation allows each subsystem to function independently, ensuring that failure of one does not compromise the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical latch and cable system is pre-configured and maintained in a ready state, independent of the electrical system. This preliminary preparation ensures that mechanical opening capability is immediately available during power disruptions without requiring any additional setup or activation steps.
2Reliability
If a mechanical handle is provided for emergency opening, then reliability is improved during power disruptions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it operates the electrical actuator during normal conditions and manually activates the mechanical cable-latch system during emergencies. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated emergency opening mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical actuator and mechanical latch systems are merged into a single integrated door opening mechanism. The handle controls both systems, and the latch serves as a common component for both electrical and mechanical operation, reducing overall system complexity compared to having completely separate systems.
3Device complexity
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but safety deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent opening
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a cam follower that moves along a cam surface and a stop member that engages at specific positions. These dynamic components ensure the latch remains securely engaged during normal door operation and only releases when the handle is deliberately actuated through the full mechanical sequence, preventing inadvertent opening while maintaining relatively simple construction.
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency release system is disclosed for use with a side door of an automobile. The emergency release system may include a latch, a cable, and a handle connected to the latch via the cable. The handle may be pivotal through a first range to a stop, translatable to surmount the stop, and pivotal through a second range after surmounting the stop to release the latch.