Vehicle Door Latch Safety Plate Mechanical Backup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic vehicle door latches lack a mechanism to prevent electrical malfunctions, which can lead to unintended operation of the door locking or unlocking system.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle door latch system incorporating a safety device with a safety plate and actuator that mechanically or electrically inhibits the operation of the electronic latch, allowing for manual operation via a touch sensor or lever, even without a retractable handle, ensuring secure and reliable door control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an electronic latch is used for door locking and unlocking operations, then the convenience of operation is improved (remote control, smart key operation), but the reliability deteriorates due to potential electrical malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor locking and unlocking operation convenienceVSAvoidelectrical malfunction prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A safety plate is introduced as an intermediary mechanical component between the electronic latch and the door opening mechanism. The safety plate can be manually operated to directly move the latch bolt, providing a mechanical backup that bypasses the electronic control system in case of electrical malfunction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The door opening function is segmented into two independent pathways: the primary electronic control pathway (remote controller, smart key) and the secondary mechanical pathway (safety plate operation). This segmentation ensures that failure in the electronic pathway does not prevent door opening, as the mechanical pathway remains functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a mechanical safety device is added to prevent electrical malfunction, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical malfunction preventionVSAvoidlatch system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety plate is merged with the existing latch mechanism components. The safety plate is positioned to directly interact with the latch bolt and moving member, combining the safety function with the existing structural elements rather than adding completely separate components. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a safety plate and actuator are added to the electronic latch, then the reliability is improved through mechanical backup, but the volume of the latch increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalfunction prevention capabilityVSAvoidlatch system volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The safety actuator is embedded within the electronic latch housing, and the safety plate is positioned within the existing latch mechanism space. The components are nested within the available volume of the latch assembly rather than adding external protrusions, minimizing the overall volume increase while providing the required mechanical backup functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11692376B2Vehicle door latch with safety device

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 WOOBO TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch, and more particularly, to a vehicle door latch having a safety device, which is capable of mechanically or electrically preventing an electrical malfunction of the vehicle door latch, installed at the interior or exterior thereof so that safety of the vehicle door latch is improved.