Vehicle Door Lock Lever Structure to Block Water Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door lock apparatuses face issues with water ingress through a rotation gap between the emergency lever and the housing, compromising security and having a high part count.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door lock apparatus with a manipulation mechanism comprising a manipulation mechanism comprising a latch mechanism and a latch mechanism, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a latch mechanism and a latch mechanism, wherein the latch mechanism is configured to prevent water ingress through a manipulation hole and a lock lever, wherein the lock lever is configured to ensure a secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an emergency lever with rotation gap is used for emergency operation, then emergency operation capability is provided, but water ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the emergency operation function from the traditional emergency lever mechanism and integrates it directly into the lock lever. The manipulation hole provides direct access to the lock lever, eliminating the need for a separate emergency lever and its associated rotation gap, thereby preventing water ingress while maintaining emergency operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the emergency operation function with the lock lever itself. The lock lever serves dual purposes: normal locking operation and emergency operation. The manipulation hole allows a manipulation tool to directly actuate the lock lever, combining multiple functions into a single component to eliminate water ingress pathways.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional emergency lever mechanism is used, then emergency operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the emergency operation function with the lock lever, eliminating the need for separate emergency lever, slide lever, and associated components. The lock lever directly responds to manipulation tool insertion through the manipulation hole, reducing part count and simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining emergency operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock lever is designed to serve multiple functions: normal locking operation, emergency operation via manipulation hole, and water shedding. By making the lock lever universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated emergency operation components, thereby reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle door lock apparatus (1), a housing (7, 9) includes a manipulation hole (92), which passes through a first wall (91) forming a side surface (97D) of an entry groove (97) and through which a manipulation member (J1), which is separate from the vehicle door lock apparatus, is insertable. A lock lever (40) includes: a second wall (42) having an opposing surface (42A) that opposes the manipulation hole in a rectilinear range of motion of the lock lever from an unlocked position to a locked position; and a manipulated part (45), which is recessed in the opposing surface and has a blind hole shape. The manipulated part is exposed to the exterior of the housing via the manipulation hole and is engageable with a first end (J1A) of the manipulation member via the manipulation hole in the rectilinear range of motion for performing an emergency operation.