Eccentric Vehicle Door Latch Lever Mounting for Collision Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door latch assemblies in vehicles can inadvertently open during a side collision due to the eccentric positioning of the outer handle lever, which can lead to passenger ejection and injury.

Innovation Solution

The outer handle lever is mounted eccentrically inside the door panel, and new structures for the linkage and lever associations between the outer handle lever, pawl lever, and claw lever are introduced to prevent door opening during a side collision, with the pawl lever and claw lever configured to restrict the striker and allow door opening only when intended.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the outer handle lever is mounted eccentrically outside the door panel for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the door may open during side collision due to inertial force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of door openingVSAvoiddoor opening prevention during collision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer handle lever is mounted eccentrically inside the door panel rather than symmetrically outside, creating an asymmetric configuration that reduces the lever's exposure to external impact forces while maintaining operational accessibility through the cable connection mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of mounting the outer handle lever outside the door panel for direct access, the invention inverts the mounting position to inside the door panel, using a cable connection to transmit the opening force, thereby protecting the lever from direct collision impacts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the outer handle lever is positioned outside the door panel for direct access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the impact resistance during side collision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of door openingVSAvoidimpact on outer handle lever
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer handle lever is mounted eccentrically inside the door panel rather than symmetrically outside, creating an asymmetric configuration that reduces the lever's exposure to external impact forces while maintaining operational accessibility through the cable connection mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

A cable connection is introduced as an intermediary between the outer handle and the outer handle lever, allowing the lever to be positioned inside the door panel away from impact zones while still transmitting the opening force effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9388610B2Door latch assembly of vehicle
Publication Date: 2016.07.12 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • US9388610B2 patent drawing
  • US9388610B2 patent drawing
  • US9388610B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A door latch assembly of a vehicle includes an outer handle lever connected to a door outside handle. An opening lever is configured to pivot in a door opening direction when the outer handle lever pivots. A pawl lever is coaxially connected to the opening lever and configured to pivot with the opening lever in the door opening direction in a door unlocked state. A door locking and unlocking device is configured to pivot the opening lever and the pawl lever in the door unlocked state in the door opening direction. A claw lever is restricted by the pawl lever to lock a striker when the door is locked and is released from the pawl lever to release the striker when the door is opened.