Interchangeable Gear Trains for Vehicle Latch Force and Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle latching systems face challenges in meeting varying customer requirements, particularly in achieving efficient electric release for both front and rear doors, as existing designs often necessitate separate systems due to differing seal loads, leading to increased complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A dual-gear train latching assembly with interchangeable 1-lead and 2-lead worm gear trains, allowing for adjustable force and speed outputs while maintaining common packaging and cam profiles, enabling a single design to serve both front and rear doors without internal component changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a larger gear train is used to release high seal loads on rear doors, then the force output is sufficient, but the release time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce outputVSAvoidrelease time

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two different gear trains (12 and 36) with different gear ratios. The control system selects the appropriate gear train based on the door type and seal load requirements, allowing the system to optimize between force output and release speed for different operating conditions without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate latching systems are designed for front and rear doors to meet different requirements, then each door gets optimized performance, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor type adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching assembly is designed as a universal system that can serve both front and rear doors. By incorporating interchangeable gear trains (12 for front doors, 36 for rear doors) within a single assembly design, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring completely separate designs for different door types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the gear train into interchangeable modules (first gear train 12 and second gear train 36) that can be selectively installed. This modular segmentation allows the same basic assembly to be configured for different door types by simply changing the gear train module, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a single latching system design is used for both front and rear doors, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the system cannot meet the higher force requirements of rear doors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidforce output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the gear ratio parameter by switching between two different gear trains. The first gear train (12) provides a first gear ratio suitable for front doors, while the second gear train (36) provides a second gear ratio with higher force output for rear doors. This parameter change allows a single design to meet different force requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution provides a cost-effective and versatile latching system that can adapt to different door types by fine-tuning gear trains, ensuring efficient electric release options while maintaining interchangeability and preventing misassembly, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a first gear train for actuating the release lever, the first gear train includes a first worm and a first release gear the first worm meshingly engages the first release gear; and a second gear train for actuating the release lever, the second gear train being interchangeable with the first gear train, the second gear train includes a second worm and a second release gear the second worm meshingly engages the second release gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWorm gear mechanism: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentUS11702869B2Vehicle latch assembly with interchangeable power release gears for normal or high output latch systems

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 INTEVA PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A latching assembly providing two options or systems for electric release output and timing, while keeping the two systems as common with one another as possible. A vehicle latching assembly, including: a housing; a release lever pivotally mounted to the housing; a first gear train for actuating the release lever, the first gear train includes a first worm and a first release gear the first worm meshingly engages the first release gear; and a second gear train for actuating the release lever, the second gear train being interchangeable with the first gear train, the second gear train includes a second worm and a second release gear the second worm meshingly engages the second release gear, wherein the second gear train applies a greater amount of force to the release lever than the first gear train.