Vehicle Door Latch Support With Breakaway Cable Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door mechanisms are prone to accidental activation of the opening mechanism due to side impacts, leading to unwanted door opening, which is a safety concern.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support body with a preferential breaking area that separates the ratchet and Bowden cable from the rest of the support body during a side impact, preventing accidental activation of the opening mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the support body is made compact and integrated with other components, then device complexity is reduced and space is saved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of accidental Bowden cable activation during side impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into two separable portions: a first portion housing the ratchet and Bowden cable, and a second portion containing other components. This segmentation allows the critical Bowden cable components to be isolated in a dedicated compartment, preventing accidental activation while maintaining compact integration. The separable design enables the first portion to be positioned optimally for safety without compromising overall space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A bracket is introduced as an intermediary element that couples the first and second portions of the support body. This bracket acts as a mediator that can absorb or redirect impact forces, preventing direct transmission of side impact forces to the Bowden cable. The bracket serves as a protective interface between the vulnerable Bowden cable housing and other components, maintaining reliability while allowing compact integration.
2Volume of moving object
If the Bowden cable seat is positioned adjacent to other components for compactness, then space is saved, but harmful factors increase due to potential cable pulling from impact displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is segmented into distinct portions, with the first portion specifically dedicated to housing the Bowden cable in a controlled environment. This segmentation creates a dedicated compartment that can be optimally positioned and protected, isolating the Bowden cable from harmful impact forces while maintaining compact overall design. The separate housing prevents cable pulling even when positioned adjacent to other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The Bracket serves as a pre-positioned protective element that cushions or absorbs side impact forces before they can reach the Bowden cable. By placing this intermediary structure in advance, the design preemptively protects the vulnerable cable from displacement and accidental activation, even when the cable seat is positioned compactly near other components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support body is rigidly connected to prevent movement, then stability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to transmission of impact forces to the Bowden cable
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into separable portions coupled by a bracket, creating a controlled articulation point. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain stability through the bracket connection while simultaneously providing a mechanism to isolate and absorb impact forces. The bracketed connection prevents rigid force transmission to the Bowden cable while maintaining overall structural integrity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket acts as an intermediary element between the first and second portions of the support body. This mediator can flex or deform under side impact forces, absorbing energy and preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the Bowden cable. The bracket maintains stable coupling during normal operation while providing protective isolation during impact events.
Data Source
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AI summary
A door (4, 4' , 4'') for a motor vehicle (1) comprising: a lock (25) available in a closed configuration and in an open configuration; a support body (20) comprising a first portion (50) and a second portion (51), which are integral to one another, when said door (4, 4', 4") is in a normal operating condition; a ratchet (22) supported by the first portion (50) of the support body (20); a Bowden cable (31), which is interposed between the ratchet (22) and the lock (25), can be operated by said ratchet (22) to cause the lock (25) to shift from the closed configuration to the open configuration and is at least partly housed in a first seat (45) defined by the first portion (50) of the support body (20); the support body (20) comprises a preferential breaking area (60) designed to break, in use, due a predetermined load in case of impact of the door (4, 4', 4''), so as to determine the separation of the first portion (50) carrying the Bowden cable (31) and the ratchet (22) from the second portion (51) of the support body (20).