Vehicle Door Jamming Bracket for Impact Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door assemblies do not effectively limit the operation of the door latch mechanism during impact events, potentially leading to unintended door opening.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door assembly design incorporating an outer and inner door panel, a door latch mechanism, a reinforcement bracket, and a jamming bracket, where the jamming bracket is positioned to prevent the release lever from moving to the open orientation upon deformation from an impact force by moving towards and locking the lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door latch mechanism is designed to be easily operable for normal door opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing unintended opening during impact events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jamming bracket acts as an intermediary component between the door latch mechanism and the door panel. It includes a locking portion that can engage with the release lever, serving as a mediator that prevents the lever from moving to the released position during impact events while allowing normal operation under regular conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The jamming bracket is pre-positioned within the door assembly such that its locking portion is ready to engage with the release lever before an impact event occurs. Upon door deformation from impact, the locking portion automatically moves into engagement with the lever, preliminarily preparing the restraint mechanism to prevent unintended opening.
2Ease of manufacture
If the door assembly structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength and structural integrity during impact events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the door latch mechanism for normal operation, the jamming bracket for impact restraint, and the reinforcement bracket for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes while collectively providing the required strength and functionality during impact events.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly utilizes composite structural elements, combining the metal door panels with the separately attached reinforcement bracket and jamming bracket. This composite approach allows each component to be manufactured from materials optimized for its specific function, maintaining overall structural integrity while enabling ease of manufacture for individual parts.
3Reliability
If additional components are added to prevent unintended door opening during impact, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jamming bracket is merged with the existing door latch mechanism assembly, sharing the same spatial envelope and functional integration. The locking portion of the jamming bracket works in conjunction with the release lever without requiring separate actuation systems, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The jamming bracket serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural reinforcement element, a positioning component for the release lever, and an active restraint mechanism during impact events. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A door has a latch mechanism, a reinforcement bracket and a jamming bracket within a cavity of the door. The latch mechanism retains the door in a closed orientation and in response to operation of the latch mechanism the door is released for movement to an open orientation. The reinforcement bracket is fixedly attached to structures of the vehicle door. The jamming bracket is fixed to the reinforcement bracket and has a locking portion that extends to an area adjacent to a release lever of the latch mechanism. With the door in a non-deformed state, the release lever is movable between a door opened orientation and a door closed orientation. In response to deformation of the door resulting from an exterior impact force, the locking portion of the jamming bracket moves toward the release lever preventing the release lever from moving to the door opened orientation.