Vehicle Latch Actuator Sealing With External Service Release Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle latch actuators face challenges in sealing against water and dust ingress, particularly due to the location of cables and the interaction between moving parts, which can lead to mechanical failure and reduced operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
The proposed actuator design incorporates a dual function lever and a service release lever that can rotate externally, driven by a gear mechanism within the actuator housing and cover. A molded elastomeric seal with a dual function is used, providing both perimeter and interface sealing between the actuator housing, cover, and moving parts, ensuring a watertight and dustproof enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cables are located outside the actuator housing, then ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but sealing against water and dust ingress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The service release cable is extracted from the internal actuator mechanism and routed externally, allowing the cable to be secured to opposite sides of the actuator while the service release lever remains outside the actuator housing. This extraction allows easy cable installation and adjustment while the actuator interior remains sealed.
Solution Approach 2:
A service release lever acts as an intermediary between the external cable and the internal latch mechanism. The lever is rotatably secured to the actuator exterior, translating external cable movement into internal mechanical action without requiring cable penetration of the sealed housing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal is added between actuator housing and cover, then sealing against water and dust is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal integrates multiple sealing functions into a single component. The seal includes a first portion that performs perimeter sealing between the actuator housing and cover, and a second portion that performs sealing between the gear and dual function lever, combining what would otherwise require separate sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides perimeter sealing and internal interface sealing. The integrally formed seal structure serves multiple protective functions within the actuator assembly, reducing the need for additional separate sealing components.
3Ease of operation
If dual function lever and service release lever are located outside the actuator, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to exposure to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The service release lever and cable are extracted from the sealed actuator interior and positioned on the exterior. This allows the lever to be easily accessible for manual operation while the actuator housing maintains its sealed environment, protecting internal components from environmental damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The service release lever serves as an external intermediary that transmits force to the internal latch mechanism through the seal interface. This intermediary approach allows external operation without compromising the sealed environment, maintaining reliability while improving accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator for a vehicle latch, including: an actuator housing; an actuator cover; a dual function lever rotatably secured to the actuator; a service release lever rotatably secured to the actuator, the dual function lever and the service release lever are located outside of the actuator so that they can rotate about an exterior of the actuator, the dual function lever being rotated by a gear located within the actuator housing and the actuator cover, wherein the dual function lever, the service release lever and the gear are all capable of being driven in a first direction and a second direction; and a service release cable secured to the service release lever wherein the service release cable may be secured to opposite sides of the actuator while still being secured to the service release lever.