Vehicle Door Lock Cancellation Unit for Electrical Failure Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door lock devices may fail to maintain a closed state when the electrical drive unit malfunctions, preventing the vehicle from being secured in a latched position.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door lock device incorporating a latch unit, mechanical operation unit, electrical operation unit, and cancellation unit, where the cancellation unit releases the connection between the electrical and mechanical operation units, allowing the latch unit to transition to a latched state even if the electrical operation unit fails, ensuring the door can be closed and secured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical operation unit is used to switch the latch unit, then the operative force required to open or close the vehicle door is reduced, but the reliability of maintaining the latched state deteriorates when the electrical drive unit malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent operational paths: an electrical operation unit for normal operation and a mechanical operation unit for backup. The latch unit can be switched through either path, ensuring that if the electrical path fails, the mechanical path remains available to maintain the latched state.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical operation unit is prepared in advance as a standby system. When the electrical operation unit malfunctions, the mechanical operation unit can immediately take over to switch the latch unit, preventing the door from remaining in an unintended state.
2Reliability
If the electrical operation unit malfunctions in the unlatched state, then the door cannot be secured in a latched state, but adding a mechanical backup increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical operation unit serves dual purposes: it can switch the latch unit from latched to unlatched state during normal operation, and it can also switch the latch unit from unlatched to latched state when the electrical operation unit malfunctions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated backup components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical operation unit is designed to be self-sufficient in recovering the latched state without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. When activated, it directly mechanically engages the latch mechanism to secure the door.
3Reliability
If the latch unit remains in an unlatched state due to electrical malfunction, then the vehicle cannot travel, but increasing mechanical redundancy increases manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The essential backup functionality is extracted from a complex redundant system and implemented through a simplified mechanical operation unit. This unit contains only the necessary components to perform the critical function of latching the door when the electrical system fails, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door lock device, including: a latch unit provided at a vehicle door, selectively adopting an unlatched state in which the vehicle door can be opened, or a latched state in which the vehicle door is maintained in a closed state, and transitioning from the unlatched state to the latched state in a case, in the unlatched state, in which the vehicle door is closed relative to the vehicle body; a mechanical operation unit switching the latch unit from the latched state to the unlatched state by means of at least one of operative parts being operated; an electrical operation unit connected to the mechanical operation unit, and switching the latch unit to the latched state or to the unlatched state, by means of power from a drive unit; and a cancellation unit that releases the connection between the electrical operation unit and the mechanical operation unit.