Integrated Sliding Door Latch Assembly for Weight Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional door latch assemblies for sliding vehicle doors increase the weight and complexity of the door by requiring separate front and rear latches and a hold open latch, making assembly and glass layout installation difficult.

Innovation Solution

An integrated door latch assembly that combines a front latch and a hold open latch on a single plate, reducing the number of latches and weight, with a front latch part maintaining the closed state and a hold open latch part maintaining the open state, using a plate with a cutout groove and elastic supports for the latches and cam mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate front latch, rear latch and hold open latch are installed on the sliding door, then the door can maintain both closed and open states reliably, but the weight of the sliding door increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor state maintenanceVSAvoidsliding door weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the front latch and hold open latch into a single integrated latch assembly. The integrated latch includes a latch body with a first latch protrusion for engaging the vehicle body when closed, and a second latch protrusion for engaging the vehicle body when opened, eliminating the need for separate latches and reducing door weight while maintaining both closed and open state functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated latch assembly performs multiple functions: it acts as both a front latch for closing the door and a hold open latch for keeping the door open. The single latch mechanism can engage with the vehicle body in two different positions (closed and open states), providing universal functionality that previously required multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate front latch, rear latch and hold open latch are installed on the sliding door, then the door can maintain both closed and open states reliably, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor state maintenanceVSAvoidlatch assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the front latch and hold open latch into a single integrated latch assembly. The integrated latch includes a latch body with a first latch protrusion for engaging the vehicle body when closed, and a second latch protrusion for engaging the vehicle body when opened, eliminating the need for separate latches and reducing door weight while maintaining both closed and open state functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated latch is segmented into distinct functional portions: a latch body portion with a first latch protrusion for the closed state, and a second latch protrusion for the opened state. This segmentation within integration allows each function to be clearly defined while reducing overall component count and assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a front latch is installed on the sliding door, then the door can be securely closed, but the assembly of the door panel and glass layout becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor closing securityVSAvoiddoor assembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the front latch and hold open latch into a single integrated latch assembly. The integrated latch includes a latch body with a first latch protrusion for engaging the vehicle body when closed, and a second latch protrusion for engaging the vehicle body when opened, eliminating the need for separate latches and reducing door weight while maintaining both closed and open state functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11473348B2Integrated door latch assembly of sliding door

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An integrated door latch assembly of a sliding door may include a plate installed at the lower front of the sliding door, a front latch part which is installed in the front of the plate, and a hold open latch part which is installed at the plate so as to be spaced apart from the front latch part to the rear of the vehicle. The front latch part maintains the closed state of the sliding door by restraining a close striker formed at a vehicle body when the sliding door is closed and releases the restriction of the close striker when the sliding door starts to open. The hold open latch part maintains the open state by restraining the sliding of the sliding door when the sliding door is opened and releases the restriction so that the sliding door can slide.