Vehicle Door Latch Kinematics for Persistent Unlock After E-Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door latches can leave users locked out of vehicles after electrically opening the door, as the latch remains in a locked position despite electrical release.
Innovation Solution
A door latch mechanism that integrates both mechanical and electrical release systems, ensuring synchronization and parallel operation, allowing unlocking via either method, thus preventing users from being locked in or out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electrical release mechanism is used to enable door opening by simple switch activation, then ease of operation is improved, but the door latch remains in locked position after release causing users to be locked out
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is segmented into two independent but coordinated systems: an electrical release mechanism (with motor and gear wheel) and a mechanical release mechanism (with levers and latches). Each system can independently unlock the door, ensuring that failure of one system does not prevent door access. The mechanical system includes multiple components (first release lever, second release lever, third release lever) that work in parallel to provide redundant unlocking paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameter of the locking lever from locked to unlocked through two different actuation methods: electrical actuation (via motor rotating the gear wheel) and mechanical actuation (via levers). The locking lever is designed to respond to either actuation method, changing its position parameter to enable door opening. This dual-parameter approach ensures reliable door access regardless of which release method is used.
2Reliability
If a mechanical override function is implemented to unlock the door latch from inside the vehicle, then reliability of door access is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical release mechanism and mechanical release mechanism into a single integrated door latch system. Both mechanisms share common components (locking lever, retention unit, striker) and work through a unified kinematic chain. The electrical motor and mechanical levers are combined to act on the same locking mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining dual-release capability. The mechanical override function is integrated into the existing latch structure rather than being a separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever and retention unit are designed with multi-functionality to respond to both electrical and mechanical actuation. The same locking lever that is actuated by the electrical gear wheel is also actuated by the mechanical levers (first, second, and third release levers). This universal design allows a single component to serve multiple functions, reducing the need for separate locking mechanisms for each release type and thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If synchronization between mechanical and electrical release kinematics is achieved, then reliability of door access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so that both the electrical and mechanical release mechanisms are pre-configured to act on the same locking lever through predetermined kinematic paths. The electrical gear wheel and mechanical levers are positioned and configured in advance to simultaneously or sequentially engage the locking lever. This preliminary configuration ensures automatic synchronization without requiring complex control systems or sensors to coordinate the two mechanisms during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever serves as an intermediary component that mediates between the electrical release mechanism and the mechanical release mechanism. Both the electrical gear wheel and mechanical levers (first, second, and third release levers) act on the locking lever, which translates their respective motions into a unified unlocking action. This intermediary approach simplifies synchronization by providing a common interface that naturally coordinates the two release systems without requiring complex control logic.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A door latch (1) for closing a door of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, comprising a retention unit, an electrical gear wheel (13), an inner release lever (17), a central opening lever (10) being driven in active position by the movement of the inner release lever (17) or by the electrical gear wheel (13), an outer release lever (20), a locking lever (23), wherein the locking lever (23) is configured to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by the movement of the central opening lever (10) driven in movement by the inner release lever (17) from the rest position to the active position and by the movement of the electrical gear wheel (13) from the rest position to the active position, the locking lever (23) remaining in the unlocked position after a releasing of the door latch (1).