Vehicle Door Latch Layout for Compact Dual Release Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door latch systems face challenges in accommodating both electrical and mechanical release mechanisms within limited space, necessitating a compact and modular design that allows for independent operation and reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door latch system incorporating a rotatable opening lever, gear wheel, and rotatable mechanical lever on a common shaft, with independent operation and modular components, including a spring system for returning to rest positions, and a locking mechanism with electrical and mechanical interfaces for enhanced functionality and reconfigurability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both electrical and mechanical release mechanisms are combined in the vehicle door latch system, then the functionality and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical and mechanical release mechanisms into a single integrated door latch system. The electrical release mechanism includes an electric motor that drives a gear wheel, while the mechanical release mechanism uses a manual lever. Both mechanisms share common components such as the shaft, housing, and engagement mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining both electrical and mechanical release functionalities for improved reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The door latch system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same housing and shaft structure accommodate both electrical and mechanical release mechanisms. The common shaft serves as the rotational axis for both the gear wheel (electrical) and the manual lever (mechanical), allowing a single structure to perform multiple release functions, thus reducing the need for separate independent mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both electrical and mechanical release mechanisms are integrated into the door latch system, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the available space for the mechanisms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical and mechanical release mechanisms into a compact integrated structure. The electric motor, gear wheel, and manual lever all share a common shaft and housing, eliminating the need for separate spaces for each mechanism. This merging approach allows both electrical and mechanical release functions to coexist within a limited space constraint while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The design employs a nested arrangement where the gear wheel and manual lever are positioned concentrically or adjacently on the same shaft within the housing. The electrical and mechanical components are nested within the same structural envelope, allowing one mechanism to be positioned within or alongside the other, thereby maximizing space utilization while providing both release functions.
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
Enables a compact, modular, and reconfigurable vehicle door latch system that integrates both electrical and mechanical release mechanisms, providing enhanced operational flexibility and user safety features like child lock and override functions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged between a housing of the vehicle door latch equipment and the rotatable opening lever to bring the rotatable opening lever back in its rest position
Implementation Method 2
an electrical release mechanism comprising an electrical release motor with an output shaft, a worm arranged on the output shaft of the electrical release motor and a gear wheel configured to mesh with the worm
Implementation Method 3
a mechanical release mechanism comprising a rotatable mechanical lever configured to be linked mechanically to a handle to be rotated between a rest position and an opening position, the rotatable opening lever being displaced by the rotatable mechanical lever
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle door latch equipment includes an engagement mechanism to engage with a striker, a rotatable opening lever to rotate between a rest position and an actuation position wherein the rotatable opening lever releases the engagement mechanism, and an electrical release mechanism including an electrical release motor with an output shaft, a worm arranged on the output shaft, and a gear wheel to mesh with the worm to be rotated between a rest position and an opening position. The equipment also includes a mechanical release mechanism including a rotatable mechanical lever to be linked mechanically to a handle to be rotated between a rest position and an opening position. The rotatable opening lever, the gear wheel, and the rotatable mechanical lever are arranged on a common shaft.