Vehicle Door Inside Release Spring Torsional Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle door child lock levers exhibit high variation in operating effort and functionality due to the use of plastic beams, leading to inconsistent performance.
Innovation Solution
A torsional spring body with a first and second spring arm is used to bias the positions of the inside release lever and child lock lever, respectively, reducing variation in operating effort and improving functionality by selectively biasing the child lock lever's position based on its engagement state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a plastic beam is used to retain the child lock lever, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the operating effort and functionality show high variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from plastic beam to torsional spring, and the functional parameter from retention to active biasing. This parameter change eliminates the high variation in operating effort while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard spring fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive plastic beam retention mechanism with an active torsional spring system that provides controlled mechanical biasing force. This substitution transforms the unreliable passive retention into a reliable active positioning mechanism with consistent operating characteristics.
2Device complexity
If a plastic beam is used to retain the child lock lever, then the structure is simple, but the functionality varies significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material and functional parameters from plastic beam to torsional spring, providing consistent functionality through the spring's inherent elastic properties while maintaining structural simplicity through the two-arm configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the spring system into two distinct arms (first spring arm and second spring arm) that perform different functions: the first arm biases the inside release lever while the second arm biases the child lock lever. This segmentation allows each arm to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
3Reliability
If a torsional spring with two spring arms is used, then operating effort consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional spring assembly where a single torsional spring body with two arms performs multiple functions: the first spring arm biases the inside release lever, and the second spring arm biases the child lock lever. This universality reduces the need for separate spring components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving consistent operating effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the first spring arm and second spring arm into a single integrated torsional spring body. This combining of functions into one component reduces the total number of parts and assembly steps, offsetting the increased complexity from using a spring-based system instead of a plastic beam.
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
The solution reduces variation in operating effort and enhances the functionality of the child lock lever, while also combining parts to lower costs.
Implementation Method 1
a torsional spring body, and a first spring arm extending from a first axial end of the spring body
Data Source
AI summary
A door inside release spring for a vehicle door assembly includes a torsional spring body, and a first spring arm extending from a first axial end of the spring body. The first spring arm is configured to be operably connected to an inside release lever to bias a position of the inside release lever. A second spring arm extends from a second axial end of the spring body opposite the first axial end. The second spring arm is configured to be operably connected to a child lock lever to bias a position of the child lock lever.