Vehicle Door Lock Switch Terminal Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door lock apparatuses face challenges in reducing size due to the distributed placement of switches, which results in long wires and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a housing containing a latch chamber and a housing chamber, where switches are connected to terminals arranged in rows, allowing the switches to sandwich the terminals, reducing wire length and overall size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switches are disposed in a distributed manner in the latch chamber and housing chamber, then the switches can detect various states of the latch mechanism and actuating mechanism, but the wires connecting the switches to terminals become long and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the distributed switches and terminals into a compact integrated unit where multiple switches are positioned adjacent to corresponding terminals. This consolidation eliminates the need for long connecting wires while maintaining the detection of multiple states (latch mechanism state, actuating mechanism state, key sub-lever position, switch lever position). The integrated arrangement directly reduces the overall device volume without compromising reliability.
2Ease of operation
If switches are connected to terminals with long wires due to distributed placement, then each switch can be positioned optimally for detection, but the wire length increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the switches and terminals into a localized assembly where electrical connections are made through short, direct contacts rather than long wires. This integration simplifies the wiring structure while maintaining optimal switch positioning for detecting latch mechanism states, actuating mechanism states, key sub-lever displacement, and switch lever displacement. The reduced wire length and simplified routing directly decrease device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle door lock apparatus uses a conventional distributed switch layout, then the latch mechanism and actuating mechanism can function independently, but the overall apparatus size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where multiple functional components (switches for detecting latch mechanism state, actuating mechanism state, key sub-lever position, and switch lever position) are embedded within a compact housing structure. The switches and terminals are integrated in a space-efficient manner that allows independent operation of the latch and actuating mechanisms while significantly reducing the overall apparatus volume compared to distributed layouts.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door lock apparatus includes housings respectively having a housing chamber and a latch chamber formed therein, a latch mechanism housed in the latch chamber and being configured to retain a door closed with respect to a vehicle frame, and an actuating mechanism housed in the housing chamber for actuating the latch mechanism. A first and a second switch are housed in one of the latch chamber and the housing chamber, and respectively detect states of the actuating mechanism and the latch mechanism. A plurality of terminals is arranged in a first row and a second row in the housing. The first switch is connected to terminals in the first row and the second switch is connected to terminals in the second row such that the plurality of terminals is sandwiched by the first switch and the second switch.