Vehicle Door Lock Engagement Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door lock devices for vehicles fail to maintain a closed state when the drive member stops due to actuator malfunction, leading to inability to hold the door in a closed position.
Innovation Solution
A door lock device with an engagement release mechanism that allows manual operation to release the engaged state of the drive member and lock release member, enabling the ratchet to re-engage with the latch and hold the door in a closed state even if the drive member is immobile due to actuator malfunction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the drive member is engaged with the lock release member to enable actuator operation, then automated door lock release is achieved, but the system fails when the actuator malfunctions and the drive member stops at the operating position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an engagement release mechanism as an intermediary system that mediates between the drive member and the lock release member. This mechanism includes a release lever that can disengage the drive member from the lock release member, allowing the lock release member to return to its original position and re-engage with the ratchet, thus recovering the locked state even when the actuator fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the door lock system into distinct functional components: the actuator system (drive member), the locking mechanism (lock release member, ratchet, latch), and the engagement release mechanism. This segmentation allows the locking function to be independent of the actuator system, enabling manual recovery when automated operation fails.
2Productivity
If the drive member stops due to actuator malfunction, then automated operation fails, but the door cannot be held in closed state
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement release mechanism enables the system to self-correct when the actuator fails. By providing a manual release mechanism that allows the lock release member to return to its engaged position with the ratchet, the system restores its door-holding capability without requiring external intervention or replacement of the failed actuator.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is added to release the drive member engagement, then recovery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement release mechanism is merged with the existing door lock structure, sharing components and space with the actuator system and locking mechanism. The release lever integrates with the drive member and lock release member arrangement, adding recovery functionality without requiring a completely separate mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a vehicle door lock device comprising a lock release member which enables operation between an operation position where a ratchet engages a latch and a standby position where free rotation of the ratchet is permitted, which is urged toward the standby position, and which is driven toward the operation position by a drive member that engages the lock release member when an actuator operates. The vehicle door lock device can release the locked state of a door by operation of the actuator and can also release the locked state of the door by manual operation. In response to the manual operation for releasing the locked state of the door when the drive member (67) has engaged the lock release member (66), an engagement release mechanism (96) releases the engagement between the drive member (67) and the lock release member (66). It is therefore possible to return to a state in which the closed state of the door can be maintained, even when the drive member has stopped at the operation position due to a failure of the actuator when the locked state of the door has been released.