Vehicle Hood Lock Sub-Plate Torsion Spring Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle hood lock devices are heavy due to large latch pins required to hold torsion springs, which increases weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hood lock device design where a sub-plate integrates with the latch and locking lever, restricting torsion spring movement, allowing for a smaller latch pin and reduced weight by holding the torsion spring, thus reducing the overall device weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the latch pin is made large to hold the torsion spring, then the torsion spring can be properly positioned and held, but the weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functional modules: the sub-plate serves as a dedicated mounting structure for the torsion spring, while the latch pin serves as a support for the latch. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the latch pin to be smaller since it no longer needs to hold the torsion spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-plate acts as an intermediary component between the base and the torsion spring. It provides a dedicated mounting structure with circumferential wall portions that hold the torsion spring, eliminating the need for the latch pin to serve dual purposes. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing proper torsion spring positioning without requiring a large latch pin.
2Weight of moving object
If the latch pin size is reduced to decrease weight, then device weight decreases, but the torsion spring movement restriction becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function for the torsion spring is separated from the latch pin and assigned to the sub-plate. The sub-plate's circumferential wall portions specifically engage with the torsion spring to restrict its movement, while the latch pin is freed to be optimized solely for latch support, allowing it to be smaller in size.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-plate serves as an intermediary mounting structure that provides stable positioning for the torsion spring through its circumferential wall portions. This intermediary structure ensures torsion spring stability without requiring the latch pin to be large, thus resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and positioning stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of components is reduced to simplify the structure, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the complexity of integrating functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-plate merges multiple functions into a single component: it serves as a mounting plate for the torsion spring, provides structural support, and acts as a spacer between the latch and base. This merging reduces the total number of components and simplifies manufacturing while the functional integration is managed through clear geometric features.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-plate is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs torsion spring mounting, structural support, and spacing functions. This universality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the device structure, making it easier to manufacture while maintaining all necessary functions through integrated design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively reduces the weight and cost of the vehicle hood lock device by minimizing the latch pin size and number of components, while maintaining locking functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring generating an elastic force for causing the latch to pivot in a direction toward the release position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle hood lock device includes a base including a groove for entry of a striker, a latch that pivots between a restraining position and a release position, a locking lever engaging the latch, a torsion spring causing the latch to pivot in a direction toward the release position, and a sub-plate fixed to the base by a latch pin supporting the latch and a locking pin supporting the locking lever. The torsion spring includes a cylindrical portion. The sub-plate integrally includes a basal portion, a circumferential wall portion rising up from the basal portion in a pivot axis direction of the latch, facing the cylindrical portion in a radial direction thereof and restricting movement of the torsion spring in the radial direction, and a brim portion protruding outward in the radial direction from the circumferential wall portion and restricting movement of the torsion spring in the pivot axis direction.