Door Striker Alignment Fixture for Automotive Latch Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Misalignment between the door latch assembly and striker assembly in automotive vehicles can lead to difficulties in closing and opening doors, affecting vehicle quality and operation.
Innovation Solution
A door lock striker alignment check fixture is introduced, featuring a tapered region and elongated slot to engage with the striker receiving slot and a flange to secure the vehicle door, providing visual and tactile feedback for operators to detect and correct misalignment between the striker rod and latch assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the latch assembly and striker assembly are misaligned, then the door can still be closed, but the operation quality deteriorates and may cause difficulty in closing or opening the door
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment check fixture is used before final assembly to detect and correct misalignment between the latch assembly and striker assembly. By performing alignment verification in advance, the fixture prevents misalignment issues from carrying over into final assembly, ensuring smooth door operation without requiring rework later.
2Reliability
If a small amount of misalignment exists, then the door latching function is maintained, but the perceived vehicle quality deteriorates due to poor operation sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment check fixture provides visual and tactile feedback to operators during the assembly process. The fixture includes indicators that show when the striker assembly is properly aligned with the latch assembly, allowing operators to make real-time adjustments. This feedback mechanism ensures that even small misalignments are detected and corrected, maintaining both functional reliability and perceived quality.
3Ease of operation
If the striker assembly is adjusted to achieve perfect alignment, then the ease of door operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional alignment tools and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment check fixture serves as an intermediary tool that simplifies the alignment process. Rather than requiring complex measurement instruments or multiple adjustment steps, the fixture provides a straightforward mechanical interface that guides the striker assembly into proper alignment. The fixture's design translates complex alignment requirements into simple visual and tactile cues, reducing the overall complexity of the alignment procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock striker alignment check fixture includes a check fixture body having a tapered region engageable with a striker receiving slot of a door latch mechanism. The check fixture body defines an elongated slot for receiving a door striker. The door lock striker alignment check fixture further includes a flange fixedly attached to the check fixture body, and which is engageable with an exterior surface of a vehicle door coupled to the door latch mechanism. The flange includes a contact surface that contacts the exterior surface of the vehicle door and which faces an insertion direction of the tapered region with respect to the striker receiving slot.