Vehicle Door Lock Coupling Member Axial Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle door lock device faces issues with the coupling member detaching from the outside open lever due to insufficient engagement force and alignment, leading to degraded mountability and retention force.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle door lock device features a coupling member with a mounting hole intersecting the insertion hole and a mounting portion on the outside open lever, incorporating protrusions to secure the coupling member in place, ensuring it is fitted and fixed perpendicularly to the outside open lever, preventing easy disengagement and ensuring sufficient retention force and mountability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the engagement force of the locking claw is set small to facilitate mounting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the coupling member may detach when the rod is inserted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting direction from radial (same as rod insertion) to axial (perpendicular to rod insertion). The locking claw now engages with the mounting hole in the axial direction, separating the mounting force vector from the rod insertion force vector. This dimensional change prevents the rod insertion from disengaging the locking claw while maintaining easy mounting operation.
2Reliability
If the engagement force of the locking claw is set great to prevent detachment, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as mountability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
By orienting the locking claw engagement axially rather than radially, the patent achieves strong retention force without compromising mountability. The axial engagement direction provides a longer effective engagement length while the perpendicular mounting approach allows easy installation without requiring high engagement forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the engagement direction parameter from radial to axial, and modifies the locking claw geometry to include an inclined surface that facilitates easy mounting while maintaining strong retention. The inclined surface allows the locking claw to be inserted easily while automatically engaging with the mounting hole with sufficient force.
3Device complexity
If the locking claw protrudes radially to engage with the mounting hole, then the structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates as the coupling member may detach under radial pressure from rod insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the locking claw protrusion from radial to axial direction. The locking claw now protrudes axially from the coupling member to engage with the mounting hole, creating an engagement geometry where the rod insertion force (radial direction) is perpendicular to the engagement force direction (axial direction), thereby preventing disengagement while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door lock device includes: a door lock body configured to be mounted to a door; an outside open lever mounted, in a pivotable manner, to a support shaft arranged on the door lock body; and a coupling member mounted to a pivot end portion of the outside open lever and having an insertion hole. An end portion of a rod on the outside open lever side is insertable through the insertion hole. The rod is configured to couple the outside open lever and an outside door handle configured to be mounted to a vehicle exterior side of the door. A mounting hole in the coupling member intersects the insertion hole, and the pivot end portion of the outside open lever has a mounting portion. The coupling member is fitted and fixed onto the mounting portion of the outside open lever through the mounting hole.