Vehicle Door Latch Pre-Assembly for Easier Actuator Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door latch systems with separate closing assistance actuators and latches complicate assembly on the door panel, necessitating multiple assembly steps and potential hyperstatic constraints.
Innovation Solution
A pre-assembled latch mechanism and closing assistance actuator linked by a damping element, such as elastomer or rubber, with a hardness of 50 to 80 Shore A, allowing for simplified assembly through a single positioning step and preventing hyperstatic alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the closing assistance actuator is made external to the latch mechanism, then the latch model can be used with or without closing assistance (improving adaptability), but the assembly on the door panel becomes more complicated (worsening device complexity)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch mechanism and closing assistance actuator into a single pre-assembled unit, merging two previously separate devices. This allows the actuator to be integrated with the latch mechanism while maintaining the option to omit it, thus preserving adaptability while simplifying door panel assembly to a single unit installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism and closing assistance actuator are pre-assembled together before installation on the door panel. This preliminary assembly action reduces the complexity of the final installation by preparing the components in advance as a ready-to-install unit.
2Ease of manufacture
If the latch mechanism and closing assistance actuator are assembled separately on the door panel, then each component can be optimized independently, but the assembly process requires multiple steps and creates hyperstatic constraints
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the latch mechanism and closing assistance actuator into a pre-assembled unit, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps on the door panel from multiple separate installations to a single unit installation, eliminating hyperstatic constraints while maintaining component design independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The components are pre-assembled together in a controlled manufacturing environment where independent optimization can occur, then installed as a complete unit on the door panel. This preliminary assembly action separates the optimization phase from the installation phase, reducing on-site assembly complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple screws are used to assemble the latch mechanism and closing assistance actuator separately, then secure fixation is achieved, but the alignment process becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism and closing assistance actuator are pre-assembled with alignment features and fixation elements in a controlled environment before installation. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and secure fixation are established beforehand, making the final installation simpler and faster while maintaining reliability.
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
Simplifies the assembly process by ensuring proper alignment and reducing assembly complexity, eliminating the need for additional alignment constraints during installation.
Implementation Method 1
pre-assembled together by a damping element in order to ease their assembly to the door panel
Implementation Method 2
the damping element (15) is made of elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle door latch equipment includes a latch mechanism including a claw for engaging with a striker to lock the door and a closing assistance actuator linked to the claw for rotating the claw to bring the latch mechanism in a closed position. The latch mechanism and the closing assistance actuator can be assembled to a door panel. The latch mechanism and the closing assistance actuator are pre-assembled together by a damping element in order to ease their assembly to the door panel.