Vehicle Door Latch Actuator Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle door latch apparatuses experience long switching times for the locking lever between locked and unlocked positions due to a large reduction ratio, leading to a 'panic state' where both operations fail when conducted simultaneously, especially when the locking lever has low displacement resistance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door latch apparatus with a locking actuator that includes a motor-driven output wheel with a protruding or recessed first connecting part and a recessed or protruding second connecting part on the locking lever, allowing direct rotation transfer and reducing the rotation angle, thereby shortening the switching time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large reduction ratio is set in the locking actuator for safety, then the locking lever switching reliability is improved, but the switching time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reduction ratio variable rather than fixed. The reduction ratio is adjusted based on the detected displacement resistance of the locking lever, allowing the system to optimize between reliability and switching speed dynamically. When displacement resistance is low, a smaller reduction ratio enables faster switching; when resistance is high, a larger reduction ratio ensures reliable switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of reduction ratio based on operating conditions. By detecting the displacement resistance and adjusting the reduction ratio accordingly, the system adapts to different scenarios (such as whether a locking knob is connected) to achieve optimal performance between switching reliability and switching speed.
2Reliability
If a large reduction ratio is used in the locking actuator, then safety is improved, but the operation responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the reduction ratio based on real-time detection of displacement resistance, making the locking actuator responsive to operational conditions. This allows the system to maintain safety while improving responsiveness when conditions permit faster operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the displacement resistance of the locking lever and using this information to adjust the reduction ratio. This closed-loop control ensures that the system responds appropriately to actual operating conditions, improving both safety and responsiveness.
3Device complexity
If the locking lever has small displacement resistance, then the locking mechanism simplicity is improved, but the switching time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by adjusting the reduction ratio based on the detected displacement resistance. When the locking lever has small displacement resistance (simpler mechanism), the system uses a smaller reduction ratio to achieve faster switching, compensating for the lower resistance without requiring additional mechanical complexity.
4Reliability
If the reduction ratio is increased for safety, then the locking reliability is improved, but the panic state occurrence probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the reduction ratio to prevent panic states. By detecting displacement resistance and selecting an appropriate reduction ratio, the system ensures that switching completes before the door can be opened, eliminating the window for panic states to occur while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting displacement resistance in advance and pre-adjusting the reduction ratio to prevent panic states. The system proactively configures the actuator parameters to ensure switching completes before door opening can occur, preventing the harmful panic state condition.
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 significantly reduces the switching time of the locking lever between locked and unlocked positions, preventing the panic state and ensuring smooth operation even under varying battery voltages and temperatures, with operating times reduced to as low as 15 to 28 milliseconds.
Implementation Method 1
A motor-driven locking actuator may also be provided that switches the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position. Such a locking actuator switches the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position by rotating a motor-driven output wheel.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door latch apparatus is provided that shortens the time to switch the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position. A vehicle door latch apparatus according to the present invention comprises a latch that is engaged with a striker in order to keep a vehicle door in a half-latched state or a full-latched state; a ratchet that is engaged with the latch in order to keep the latch engaged with the striker; an opening link 27 that abuts against the ratchet in order to release the ratchet from the latch when the opening link is moved in a door opening direction in an door opening operation of an outer door opening handle; a locking lever 28 that can be switched between a locked position that prevents the ratchet from being released by the opening link and an unlocked position that allows the ratchet to be released; and a locking actuator 39 that switches the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking actuator includes a motor 40 and an output wheel 42 that is driven by the motor, and the output wheel has a protruding or recessed first connecting part 45 and the locking lever has a recessed or protruding second connecting part 46 that is connected to the first connecting part.