Vehicle Door Latch Elastic Suspension Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing door latch devices have poor assembling workability due to the need to manually align and fix multiple bolts, which lowers assembly efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle door latch device with an elastic engaging piece that allows temporary suspension inside the door, enabling bolt fixing without manual holding, using an engaged portion on both the engagement unit and operation unit to secure the device to the inner panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the door latch device is fixed to the inner panel by a plurality of bolts while manually aligning screw holes and insertion holes, then the engagement unit can be securely attached to the door, but the assembling workability deteriorates and assembling efficiency is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidassembling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The engaged portion is provided in advance on both the engagement unit and operation unit, allowing the door latch device to be temporarily suspended inside the door before bolt fixation. This preliminary suspension action enables workers to prepare and align multiple bolts simultaneously without manually holding the device, thereby improving assembling efficiency while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the door latch device is inserted into the door from a working hole while being held with one hand and bolts are fixed with the other hand, then the device can be attached to the inner panel, but the assembling workability becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembling workabilityVSAvoidassembling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The engaged portion enables the door latch device to self-suspend inside the door through engagement with the inner panel, eliminating the need for manual holding during assembly. The device essentially assembles itself by engaging the engaged portion with corresponding features on the inner panel, allowing workers to focus on bolt fixation without the additional task of supporting the device weight, thereby improving both workability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Improves assembling workability by allowing bolt fixing without manual holding, enhancing efficiency and stability during assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the engaged portion provided in the housing is an elastic engaging piece formed on an outer peripheral surface of a connector connecting portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3299557B1Vehicle door latching device
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 MITSUI KINZOKU ACT
  • EP3299557B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3299557B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3299557B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Providing a vehicle door latch device capable of improving assembling workability into the door. In a facing portion in the housing 12 facing the inner panel D1 that the cover plate 6 is fixed, an engaged hole 21 capable of suspending the engagement unit 2 and the operating unit inside the door is provided, by engaging with an engaging piece 22 of the inner panel D1, in a state that the engagement unit 2 is not fixed to the inner panel D1.