Vehicle Door Latch Intermediate Element Sensor Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door latch systems face issues with sensor damage and high costs due to soiling or icing of the catch, and the difficulty in positioning non-contact sensors, which are necessary for reliable catch detection.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door latch design incorporating an intermediate element that transfers the movement of the catch to a sensor, allowing for the use of low-cost switches and enabling sensor placement outside the catch plane, with the intermediate element being pre-tensioned and having a detection profile to interact with the catch's projection within a specific pivoting angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-contact sensors (e.g., Hall sensors) are used to detect the catch position, then sensor reliability is improved by avoiding damage from soiling and icing, but production and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate element (magnetic strip or magnet) as a mediator between the catch and the sensor. This intermediate element transfers the positional information of the catch to the sensor without requiring direct contact or close proximity. The magnetic field generated by the intermediate element can be detected by the sensor from a distance, allowing the use of cost-effective sensors while maintaining reliable detection even in harsh environmental conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If contact sensors (micro switches) are used to detect the catch position, then production costs are reduced, but the sensors are vulnerable to damage from soiling and icing
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate element acts as a protective mediator that allows contact sensors to detect catch position indirectly. The sensor detects the position of the intermediate element (magnetic strip or magnet) rather than directly contacting the catch, eliminating exposure to soiling and icing while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of contact sensor technology.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned in the immediate vicinity of the catch for direct detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but the installation position is fixed and sensors cannot be easily combined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the detection from a one-dimensional direct contact approach to a field-based detection approach. By using magnetic fields generated by the intermediate element, the sensor can detect catch position from multiple spatial positions and orientations, providing both accurate detection and installation flexibility. Multiple sensors can be positioned at different locations without interfering with each other.
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
This design ensures sensor protection from soiling and icing, allows flexible sensor placement, and integrates a non-slam lock to prevent accidental locking, enhancing reliability and cost-effectiveness while maintaining accurate catch position detection.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate element (5), rotatably fixed around an axis (6), positioned against the catch (1), said intermediate element transferring the movement of a catch (1) rotatably fixed around an axis (7) onto the sensor (4)
Implementation Method 2
the intermediate element (5) is pretensioned by, for instance, a spring in direction of the catch (1)
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the present invention is a vehicle door latch with a locking mechanism (1, 2) comprising mainly a catch (1) and pawl (2). In addition, the vehicle door latch contains at least one sensor (4) for detecting the position of the catch (1). The invention provides an intermediate element (5) that transfers the movements of the catch (1) onto the sensor (4).