Vehicle Door Lock Subcase Positioning for Coupling Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door lock devices require multiple dedicated components for different coupling configurations, leading to increased complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door lock device with a main case housing the lock/unlock mechanism, a subcase that adjusts its position relative to the main case, and a water immersion prevention system, allowing for a common lock/unlock unit to accommodate various coupling members and key cylinder heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated components are used for different coupling configurations, then the adaptability to various vehicle types and coupling members is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The subcase is designed with a universal adjustment mechanism that can accommodate different coupling members (rod-type, link-type, electric motor-type) through positional adjustment in the vehicle upper/lower direction. This allows a single subcase design to serve multiple functions across different vehicle types and coupling configurations, eliminating the need for dedicated components for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The subcase incorporates an adjustment unit that enables dynamic positional adjustment relative to the main case in the vehicle upper/lower direction. This dynamic capability allows the lock/unlock unit to adapt to different key cylinder heights and coupling member configurations, providing versatility without requiring multiple static dedicated components.
2Device complexity
If a common lock/unlock unit is used for various coupling configurations, then the number of dedicated components is reduced, but the adaptability to different key cylinder heights and vehicle types decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment unit enables the subcase to dynamically adjust its position relative to the main case in the vehicle upper/lower direction, allowing a common lock/unlock unit to adapt to different key cylinder heights and vehicle types without requiring multiple dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the subcase relative to the main case to accommodate different coupling configurations and key cylinder heights. By adjusting this positional parameter, a single common lock/unlock unit can serve multiple vehicle types and coupling member configurations.
3Device complexity
If the subcase position is fixed relative to the main case, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to accommodate different coupling members and vehicle types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than fixing the subcase position, the invention introduces an adjustment unit that enables controlled dynamic adjustment in the vehicle upper/lower direction. This maintains relative structural simplicity while providing the necessary adaptability to accommodate different coupling members and vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock/unlock unit is segmented into a main case and a subcase with independent adjustment capability. This segmentation allows the subcase to be positioned independently relative to the main case, providing adaptability while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular design.
Data Source
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AI summary
To reduce the number of dedicated components, a vehicle door lock device 1 includes a lock/unlock unit 7 including a lock/unlock mechanism that switches whether to transmit a door opening operation on a door to a latch mechanism, and a transmission unit 3 that transmits a lock/unlock operation with a key to the lock/unlock unit, in which the lock/unlock unit includes a main case 2 that houses therein the lock/unlock mechanism and supports the latch mechanism, an input member 6 having a rotation shaft 6a passing through the main case, being coupled to the lock/unlock mechanism in the main case, and having an external coupling part 6b outside the main case, and a cover that closes an opening of the main case, the transmission unit includes a first coupling member 35 that couples a turned member 34 to the external coupling part, the turned member 34 rotating with a rotor of a key cylinder, and the external coupling part protrudes from the main case in a vehicle outside direction in a state where the main case is attached to the door.