Motor Vehicle Door Latch Ratchet Connection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door latches, particularly tailgate latches, have a bulky and heavy construction due to massive levers and base plates, which complicates installation and increases weight.
Innovation Solution
The motor vehicle door latch features a ratchet rotational connection between levers, secured axially by a single attachment element, allowing pivotable movement without additional bearing bolts, and is made of lightweight plastic materials, enabling a compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If massive levers and base plate are used in the lever arrangement, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the weight and construction bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from massive metal to lightweight plastic for the base plate and lever arrangement components, while maintaining structural integrity through optimized geometry and the ratchet rotational connection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining plastic material for the base plate with metal components only where absolutely necessary (such as the drive unit), creating a hybrid structure that optimizes the weight-strength ratio
2Stability of the object's composition
If massive levers and base plate are used in the lever arrangement, then the structural stability is improved, but the construction bulkiness and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lever arrangement into modular components that can be separately manufactured and assembled, with the ratchet rotational connection serving as a standardized interface that simplifies assembly while maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet rotational connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the levers and the base plate, providing a standardized mounting interface that simplifies installation while ensuring stable pivotable connection
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional bearing bolts are used to secure levers to the base plate, then the rotational stability is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple bearing bolts into a single ratchet rotational connection mechanism that provides both rotational stability and axial securing, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining rotational stability
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet rotational connection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rotational pivotability, ensures rotational stability through the ratchet mechanism, and secures the levers axially, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate components
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 configuration results in a lightweight, compact, and easily installable motor vehicle door latch that can be both manually and electromechanically operated, reducing weight and complexity compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
the at least two levers of the lever arrangement are detachably connected by means of a ratchet rotational connection
Implementation Method 2
the levers are additionally axially secured by an individual attachment element
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the present invention is a motor vehicle door latch, in particular a motor vehicle tailgate latch. In its basic construction, this comprises a plastic base plate (3) having a recess (13) and a drive unit (11, 12) arranged in the recess (13) Furthermore, a lever arrangement (4, 5, 6) acted on by the drive unit (11, 12) consisting of two or more levers (4, 5, 6) mounted on the base plate (3) is provided for. According to the invention, the levers (4, 5, 6) are detachably connected by means of a ratchet rotational connection (15, 16) and additionally axially secured by an individual attachment element (14).