Integrated Door Presentment Mechanism for Vehicle Latch

Solution Overview

Problem

Current door latching systems without physical handles require additional presentment mechanisms for door opening after latch release, which are costly and inefficient due to the need for multiple actuation mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A latch assembly with a housing, ratchet, pawl, presentment mechanism, and actuator that integrates a ratchet and pawl pivotally coupled to the housing, allowing for a single actuator to drive the presentment mechanism to move the ratchet from a secondary to a primary position for door opening, and includes a presentment lever to influence the ratchet's position, facilitating door opening with reduced material and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an additional presentment actuator is used to achieve door presentment operation, then door presentment function is achieved, but material cost and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor presentment functionVSAvoidmultiple actuation mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the presentment mechanism with the latch mechanism by integrating presentment members (lever, arm) that interact with the ratchet-pawl assembly. The single actuator drives both the latch release and door presentment operations through this integrated mechanism, eliminating the need for separate actuators while maintaining both functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ratchet and pawl assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the latch holding function, enables presentment operation through interaction with presentment members, and allows manual door opening. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated presentment actuators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If an additional presentment actuator is used to achieve door presentment operation, then door presentment function is achieved, but material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor presentment functionVSAvoidmaterial requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the presentment mechanism with the latch mechanism by integrating presentment members (lever, arm) that interact with the ratchet-pawl assembly. The single actuator drives both the latch release and door presentment operations through this integrated mechanism, eliminating the need for separate actuators while maintaining both functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ratchet and pawl assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the latch holding function, enables presentment operation through interaction with presentment members, and allows manual door opening. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated presentment actuators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11274477B2Integrated door presentment mechanism for a latch

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 MAGNA CLOSURES INC

AI summary

A latch assembly for a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch assembly including: a housing; a ratchet and pawl pivotally coupled to the housing, the ratchet for interaction with a striker such that one of the latch assembly and the striker being mounted on the closure panel and the other of the latch assembly and the striker being mounted on a body of the vehicle; a presentment mechanism mounted to the housing having one or more presentment members, such that the one or more presentment members is driven for influencing a position of the ratchet during presentment of the striker out of a slot of the ratchet to a presentment position; and an actuator for engaging with the presentment mechanism to effect the driven of the one or more presentment members.