Vehicle Door Latch Reduces Opening Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle door latch systems require excessive force to open due to high resistance, making it difficult for drivers or passengers to operate the door efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A door latch device with an operation pawl lever, support pawl lever, and claw lever configuration that reduces the operational force needed to open the door by dispersing the reaction force through a guide hole and support part, allowing the door to be opened with less effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional door latch mechanism is used, then the door can be securely locked, but excessive force is required to open the door due to high resistance force
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a claw lever for locking, a support pawl lever for force distribution, and an operation pawl lever for user input. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the overall force needed to operate the system while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The support pawl lever acts as an intermediary between the operation pawl lever and the claw lever. It receives the user's input force and distributes it through the guide hole to support the claw lever, reducing the direct resistance force that the user must overcome while ensuring the locking mechanism remains secure.
2Reliability
If the resistance force in the door latch is increased to improve locking security, then the door becomes harder to open accidentally, but it requires excessive operational force to open intentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The support pawl lever moves dynamically along the guide hole during operation, changing its position and the direction of force application. This dynamic movement allows the system to maintain high resistance during normal operation for security, while enabling easier operation when the user intentionally activates the release mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support part protrudes in a second direction different from the first direction of movement. This dimensional change allows the support pawl lever to provide support in multiple directions, distributing the force requirements and reducing the operational force needed while maintaining secure locking through the claw lever's engagement.
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 device enables opening the vehicle door with reduced force by leveraging the pawl lever and support pawl lever interaction, reducing the operational force required by approximately one-third compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
the support pawl lever being pressed in a first direction by the operation pawl lever when the operation pawl lever rotates in a first rotation direction
Implementation Method 2
coupled to a rotating shaft that linearly moves along the guide hole
Implementation Method 3
the support part protrudes in a second direction different from the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A door latch device for a vehicle comprises an operation pawl lever interlocked with a door handle which is mounted on a door, the operation pawl lever configured to rotate; a support pawl lever including a guide hole, and coupled to a rotating shaft that linearly moves along the guide hole, the support pawl lever being pressed in a first direction by the operation pawl lever when the operation pawl lever rotates in a first rotation direction; a claw lever configured to be restricted from rotating by a support part disposed on the support pawl lever, wherein the support pawl lever moves in the first direction when the operation pawl lever presses the support pawl lever to keep the door in a closed state, wherein the support part protrudes in a second direction different from the first direction.