Vehicle Door Latch Bowden Cable Sealing Against Rainwater Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rainwater entering the vehicle door through the outside handle can seep into the Bowden cable, leading to potential freezing or rust that may cause the door latch mechanism to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door latch device that incorporates an elastic cap with a cylindrical or bellows-shaped cover portion to prevent rainwater from entering the outer cable of the Bowden cable. The elastic cap is fixed to the handle-side end cap of the outer cable and covers the inner cable as it extends from the outer cable, ensuring water cannot ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outside handle is disposed above the door latch mechanism for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but rainwater can enter the outer cable causing freezing or rust that leads to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A water-proof cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the outside handle and the outer cable. This cover prevents rainwater from entering the outer cable while allowing the handle to remain in its operational position above the latch mechanism, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The water-proof cover is separated as an independent component from the handle and cable assembly. This allows the cover to be specifically designed for water protection functionality without interfering with the handle's operational mechanics, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and reliability
2Ease of operation
If the outside handle is disposed above the door latch mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but water can enter the outer cable leading to freezing or rust
Solution Approach 1:
The water-proof cover serves as a mediator that blocks water from reaching the outer cable while allowing the handle to maintain its elevated position for ease of operation. The cover is positioned between the water source and the cable to prevent harmful water ingress
Solution Approach 2:
The water-proof cover is made of a flexible material that can cover the outer cable effectively. This flexible shell conformally protects the cable from water while accommodating any movement or positioning requirements of the handle mechanism
3Reliability
If rainwater enters the outer cable, then water ingress occurs, but freezing or rust may cause malfunction of the door latch mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The water-proof cover is installed in advance to prevent water from entering the outer cable before any freezing or rust can occur. This preliminary protective action eliminates the possibility of water-induced harmful effects on the cable and latch mechanism
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 use of the elastic cap effectively prevents rainwater from entering the outer cable, thereby reducing the risk of freezing or rust and ensuring stable operation of the door latch mechanism over a long period.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic cap having a cover portion in a cylindrical shape, extending in a movement direction of the inner cable to cover the inner cable extending from the one end of the outer cable
Data Source
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AI summary
In a vehicle door latch device, ingress of rainwater into an outer cable of a Bowden cable is prevented. Vehicle door latch device 10 includes: operation handle 3 provided in a door; door latch mechanism 2 attached in the door; Bowden cable 4 having outer cable 41 that is fixed at one end to the vicinity of operation handle 3 and at the other end to door latch mechanism 2, and inner cable 42 that is inserted into outer cable 41 while being coupled at one upward end to operation handle 3 and at the other end to release lever 24 of door latch mechanism 2; and elastic cap 7 or 8 provided at one end of the outer cable 41, having the corresponding one of cover portions 72 and 82 in a cylindrical shape, extending in a movement direction of the inner cable 42 extending from the one end of the outer cable 41, to cover the inner cable 42.