Vehicle Door Latch Auxiliary Cover Holding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle door latch devices have complex and costly structures for holding the auxiliary cover in an open position, which increases the molding costs of the housing and auxiliary cover.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door latch device with an elliptical cross-section hinge shaft and rotation preventing portions on its outer surface, which elastically contacts holding portions to securely hold the auxiliary cover in an open position, simplifying the provisional holding mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional holding means are provided both in the housing and auxiliary cover, then the auxiliary cover can be held in an open position, but the structure becomes complicated and molding cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the holding function from the complex dual-component system (housing and auxiliary cover) and consolidates it into a single stopper member on the hinge shaft. This removes unnecessary components while maintaining the essential holding capability in the open position.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge shaft is given multiple functions: it serves as both the rotational pivot for the auxiliary cover and as the mounting structure for the stopper member that provides the holding function. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate holding mechanisms in both the housing and auxiliary cover.
2Reliability
If conventional holding means are provided both in the housing and auxiliary cover, then the auxiliary cover can be held in an open position, but the molding cost for housing and auxiliary cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the holding function from the complex dual-component system (housing and auxiliary cover) and consolidates it into a single stopper member on the hinge shaft. This removes unnecessary components while maintaining the essential holding capability in the open position.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge shaft is given multiple functions: it serves as both the rotational pivot for the auxiliary cover and as the mounting structure for the stopper member that provides the holding function. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate holding mechanisms in both the housing and auxiliary cover.
3Device complexity
If the auxiliary cover is freely rotatable in the open position, then the structure is simple, but problems occur during door latch operation
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper member acts as an intermediary element between the hinge shaft and the auxiliary cover. It provides the necessary constraint to prevent harmful free rotation while maintaining the simplicity of the overall hinge structure, serving as a mediator that balances freedom of movement with operational 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
The simplified structure reduces molding costs and ensures the auxiliary cover is securely held in an open position, improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of improper rotation during door latch operation.
Implementation Method 1
the two rotation preventing portions elastically contact the two elastic holding portions, thereby holding the auxiliary cover provisionally in the second open position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
To provide a vehicle door latch device in which the auxiliary cover is held in an open position provisionally by simple means. A hinge shaft 38 of an auxiliary cover 36 rotatably engages in between a pair of elastic holding portions 48 of a cover 18 as part of a casing. A stopped portion 39 is disposed on the auxiliary cover 36, and a stopper portion 43 which the stopped portion 39 can contact is disposed on the cover 18. When the auxiliary cover 36 is rotated in an opening direction, the stopped portion 39 gets over an end of the stopper portion 43 and move to an opposite side, thereby holding the auxiliary cover 36 provisionally in an open position.