Vehicle Door Lock Housing Dented Surface Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door lock devices face issues with slip prevention during assembly and increased housing size due to the arrangement of the active lever and worm wheel, which requires additional features like ribs or textured surfaces for slip prevention and results in larger dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle door lock device rearranges the open link to pivot about a different axis than the active lever and worm wheel, allowing for a dented surface on the outer housing body to prevent slip without additional features, and positions the latch mechanism and electric motor at the same level for balanced weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the active lever and worm wheel are arranged in the conventional configuration, then the gear unit can be properly positioned, but the housing requires additional slip-preventing features (ribs or textured surfaces) and increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dented surface at a specific location on the outer housing body where the worm wheel is positioned. This localized surface modification provides slip prevention exactly where needed during assembly, rather than adding ribs or textured surfaces across the entire housing. The dented surface is formed by indenting the outer housing body in the worm wheel arrangement region, creating friction against workers' hands during assembly operations.
2Device complexity
If the open link is arranged to pivot about the same axis as the active lever and worm wheel, then the gear unit arrangement is simplified, but the housing size increases and slip prevention features are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by repositioning the open link's pivot axis from being coaxial with the active lever and worm wheel to a different spatial location. The open link is arranged to pivot about an axis that is offset from the worm wheel's rotation axis, allowing the worm wheel to be positioned more centrally in the housing. This spatial reconfiguration reduces the overall housing dimensions while maintaining proper gear engagement.
3Ease of operation
If additional slip-preventing features like ribs or textured surfaces are added to the housing, then grip during assembly is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface geometry parameter of the housing through indentation rather than adding separate features. The dented surface is created by locally deforming the outer housing body material, changing its surface profile from flat to indented. This single parameter change (surface geometry) provides enhanced grip during assembly without requiring additional manufacturing steps for ribs or textured surfaces, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
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
This configuration enhances assembly ease, reduces the need for slip-preventing features, minimizes housing size, improves manufacturing accuracy, and maintains good weight balance, leading to improved workability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the gear unit includes: a worm, which is rotationally driven by the electric motor; and a worm wheel, which is rotatably assembled to the housing to mesh with the worm
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle door lock device includes a housing including: an outer housing body including a covering portion covering an outer side of an electric motor and an outer side of a worm, an outer shaft-supporting portion supporting an active lever, and an outer shaft-supporting portion supporting a worm wheel; and an inner housing body including an inner shaft-supporting portion supporting an active lever, and an inner shaft-supporting portion supporting the worm wheel. An outer surface of the covering portion of the outer housing body and an outer surface of the outer shaft-supporting portion, which is provided in the outer housing body, for supporting the active lever, are formed in the same flat surface, and an outer surface of the outer shaft-supporting portion, which is provided in the outer housing body, for supporting the worm wheel, is formed in a dented surface dented inwardly with respect to the flat surface. Accordingly, the vehicle door lock device may have such a shape and a structure that a worker can easily hold in the hand, and hence it is possible to achieve satisfactory workability when the device is assembled to a door.