Automobile Door Latch Common Operating Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing motor vehicle door latch devices face difficulties in using a common basic structure for both releasing and locking mechanisms due to different internal operating system designs, which complicates door-opening operations for regular users with electronic keys and passengers without keys, especially when dealing with electric system troubles.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a motor vehicle door latch device with a releasing motor, a locking motor, and a locking mechanism, featuring an engagement unit with an opening lever and an operating unit housed in a fixed body, including an electric release lever that can release the opening lever regardless of the locking mechanism's state, and an inside lever pivotally mounted via a single shaft to rotate and shift the locking mechanism between lock and unlock states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different internal operating system designs are used for various door-opening scenarios, then the door can be opened under different conditions (authorized user, passenger without key, electric system failure), but the basic structure of the operating mechanism cannot be used in common, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor-opening capability under different conditionsVSAvoidstructure of operating mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single basic operating mechanism structure that serves multiple door-opening scenarios. The operating mechanism includes a common basic structure with an opening lever, inside lever, and link assembly that can be actuated through different input methods (electronic key authentication, mechanical inside handle, or emergency manual release) to achieve door opening in various conditions without requiring fundamentally different structural designs for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a releasing motor is added to enable electric release, then door-opening convenience for authorized users is improved, but the structure of the operating mechanism becomes more complex and difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor-opening convenienceVSAvoidstructure of operating mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nested doll principle by integrating the releasing motor and locking motor within the existing operating mechanism structure. The motors are positioned to directly actuate the opening lever and locking mechanism components that are already part of the basic structure, rather than adding separate independent systems. This nesting approach allows electric release functionality to be incorporated while minimizing overall structural complexity and maintaining ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3260636B1Automobile door latch apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 GECOM CORP
  • EP3260636B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3260636B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3260636B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A motor vehicle door latch device comprises a releasing motor, a locking motor and a locking mechanism, and an operating mechanism can be used in common. The operating mechanism comprises a locking motor 14: a locking mechanism 16, 18 comprising mechanical elements that can be shifted to an unlock state and a lock state based on drive of the locking motor 14; an electric release motor 22 releasing the opening lever 7 regardless of a state of the locking mechanism based on drive of the releasing motor 22; and an inside lever 19 that is pivotally mounted via a first shaft 102 for pivotally mounting the electric release lever 24 to a housing and is rotated based on a door opening action of the internal mechanical elements thereby releasing the opening lever 7 when the locking mechanism is in an unlock state.