Vehicle Side Door Latch Apparatus Simplified Power Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle side door latch apparatuses with powered release and cinching mechanisms are complex, costly, and have a large operation unit, requiring a simpler and less restrictive design.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle side door latch apparatus with a latch that has half-latching and fully-latching steps, a ratchet to prevent release, a door opening link moved by a motor, and a power transmission path without disconnecting means, allowing engagement release by motor power, along with a simplified cinching mechanism and sound insulation to reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a powered release mechanism and powered cinching mechanism are added to the latch apparatus, then the door can be opened and latched automatically, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the disconnecting means (such as one-way clutches and complex gear mechanisms) from conventional powered latch systems. By extracting these unnecessary components, the invention achieves automatic door opening and latching through a simplified motor-driven link mechanism that directly moves the latch between positions without requiring complex power transmission disconnection features.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch apparatus is divided into distinct functional segments: the motor unit, the door opening link with waiting position, the latch body with half-latching and fully-latching steps, and the ratchet mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automated operation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the latch housing is formed in an L-shaped cross section to avoid interference with guide rails, then the side door latch can accommodate vertically movable side wind shield, but the arrangement becomes more restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the motor and door opening link mechanism above the latch body in the vertical direction. This dimensional arrangement allows the motor-driven components to move vertically to actuate the latch, while the L-shaped housing configuration in the horizontal plane accommodates the guide rails and vertically movable side wind shield mechanism without interference.
3Ease of operation
If disconnecting means are included in the power transmission path to allow manual override, then the door can be opened manually, but the mechanism becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening link serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary actuator when moved by the motor for automatic door opening, and it also serves as the connection point for the door key lever that enables manual override. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate disconnecting means, as the same link mechanism handles both automated and manual operation modes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A compact vehicle side door latch apparatus is provided. The side door latch apparatus has a latch that is rotated from an unlatched position to a fully-latched position, a ratchet that engages the latch in order to prevent the latch from being rotated in a releasing direction, a door opening link that is moved in a door opening direction in order to allow the ratchet to be disengaged from the latch, a motor that moves the door opening link in the door opening direction by motor power, and a door key lever that moves the door opening link in the door opening direction by an operation of a key plate. The door key lever is connected to the door opening link with play, and the motor power is transmitted to the door opening link without passing through disconnecting means of the power transmission path.