Vehicle Door Latch Assembly With Push-Panel Unlatching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle doors require a single pulling motion to both unlatch and open, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A door assembly with a push panel mounted to the jamb that unlatches the door by pressing into a cavity and allows opening with a separate pulling motion, utilizing a switch or latch mechanism to release the door from the jamb.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pulling motion is used to unlatch and open the door, then the operation process is simplified, but the ease of operation deteriorates because it requires continuous force and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening operation is segmented into two distinct steps: first pressing the push panel to unlatch the door, then pulling the door edge to open it. This separates the unlatching function from the opening function, making each step easier to perform independently without requiring continuous force coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The push panel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the latch system. By pressing the push panel, the user indirectly actuates the latch release mechanism, which then allows the door to be opened. This intermediary step simplifies the overall operation by decoupling the unlatching action from the door opening action.
2Loss of time
If a single pulling motion is used for both unlatching and opening, then the number of motions is reduced, but the force required increases making it more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The operation is divided into two sequential steps with different force requirements: Step 1 involves pressing the push panel with moderate force to release the latch, and Step 2 involves pulling the door edge with force to open it. This segmentation allows the user to apply appropriate force for each specific action rather than requiring excessive force throughout the entire motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically disengage when the push panel is pressed, without requiring the user to directly manipulate the latch components. The system uses the push panel press action to self-actuate the latch release, reducing the force the user must apply compared to directly operating the latch mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A door assembly includes a door, and the door includes a first latch component configured to couple with a second latch component mounted to a jamb with a cavity. The door assembly includes a push panel coupled to the jamb, and the push panel covers at least a portion of the cavity in the jamb. The push panel is mounted adjacent to an edge of the door when the door is closed against the jamb, and the push panel is configured to release the first latch component of the door from the second latch component mounted to the jamb, in response to the push panel being pressed into the cavity in the jamb. The door is configured to be opened by a force pulling on the edge adjacent to the push panel, after the first latch component of the door has been released from the second latch component.