Vehicle Door Lock Device Single Biasing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door lock devices require multiple biasing members to hold the lock lever in position and return the trigger lever, increasing component count and device size.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door lock device with a latch mechanism switching member, a first lever member, a link member, a second lever member, and a biasing member, where the second lever member is driven by a drive unit to move the latch mechanism switching member and link member between lock and unlock positions, using a single biasing member to reduce component count and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple biasing members are used to hold the lock lever and return the trigger lever, then the reliability of position holding is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two separate biasing members into a single biasing member. The first end of the biasing member biases the link member toward the lock position, while the second end biases the second lever member toward its initial position. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining the reliability of position holding for both the lock lever and trigger lever.
Solution Approach 2:
The single biasing member performs multiple functions: it simultaneously provides the biasing force for the link member (first lever member) and the second lever member (trigger lever). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate biasing members for each component, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring both elements are properly positioned.
2Reliability
If multiple biasing members are used to maintain lock lever position and return trigger lever, then the functional reliability is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the functions of multiple biasing members into a single biasing member that serves both the link member and the second lever member, the patent reduces the overall space required for housing these components. The single biasing member can be positioned to efficiently serve both functions without requiring separate spaces for multiple springs or biasing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is arranged within the door lock device structure such that it simultaneously interacts with both the link member and the second lever member. The first end of the biasing member engages with the link member while the second end engages with the second lever member, creating a nested arrangement that minimizes the overall device volume while maintaining operational reliability.
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
The solution reduces the number of components and size of the door lock device by using a single biasing member to bias both the link member and the second lever member, allowing for efficient switching between locked and unlocked states without the need for additional biasing members.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member (50) configured to bias the link member toward the lock position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door lock device includes: a latch mechanism switching member which switches a latch mechanism to an unlatching state; a first lever member which moves to an operating position when a door handle is operated to open a door; a link member movable to an unlock position where the link member is engaged with the latch mechanism switching member and the latch mechanism is switched to the unlatching state, and a lock position where the latch mechanism is not switched to the unlatching state; a second lever member releasably engageable with the link member and causing the latch mechanism switching member to move to the operating position by moving from an initial position to an operating position; a biasing member which biases the link member toward the lock position; and a drive unit which drives the second lever member to move from the initial position to the operating position.