Latch Assembly Actuation Speed Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety systems face challenges in actuation speed, actuation power requirements, and high replacement costs, particularly with chemical or explosive charge-based systems, which compromise safety, reliability, and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a mechanical energy storage system, mechanical advantage system, and trigger system that moves a closure panel from a closed to an open position, utilizing stored mechanical potential energy and amplifying trigger force to rapidly and reliably actuate safety mechanisms without the need for chemical or explosive charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If chemical or explosive charge based actuation systems are used, then actuation speed is improved, but safety, reliability, and reusability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical/explosive actuation systems with a mechanical energy storage and release system. A spring-loaded latch mechanism stores mechanical energy in a biased state and releases it rapidly through a purely mechanical trigger, eliminating the need for chemical charges while maintaining fast actuation speed and improving safety and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-loading the latch mechanism in a biased state during normal operation. The spring is compressed and held ready to release, so that when a collision is detected, the stored mechanical energy can be immediately released without requiring chemical ignition or complex activation sequences, achieving both speed and reliability.
2Speed
If chemical or explosive charge based actuation systems are used, then actuation speed is improved, but replacement costs deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a modular latch assembly where the trigger mechanism can be designed as a replaceable component. After deployment, only the trigger element needs replacement rather than the entire actuation system, significantly reducing replacement costs compared to chemical charge systems where the entire safety mechanism must be replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation system is segmented into modular components: the latch mechanism, the spring energy storage system, and the trigger element. This segmentation allows the trigger to be replaced independently after deployment, reducing replacement costs while preserving the expensive mechanical energy storage components.
3Reliability
If mechanical based actuation systems are used, then safety and reliability are improved, but actuation speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical latch system is pre-loaded with spring energy during normal operation, placing it in a ready-to-release state. When triggered, the stored mechanical energy provides rapid actuation speed without requiring complex mechanical assemblies or multi-step mechanisms, thus maintaining both safety/reliability and achieving fast response.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed with asymmetric force characteristics: during normal operation, it maintains a strong locked state requiring significant force to open (ensuring safety). However, the trigger mechanism exploits a weak point or release path that allows rapid disengagement when activated, achieving fast actuation speed while maintaining structural integrity during normal use.
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 solution provides rapid actuation and reduced replacement costs while ensuring safety and reliability, enabling effective pedestrian protection in vehicle collisions by moving the hood away from the engine block to prevent fatal injuries.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical energy storage system having a device for storing mechanical potential energy for assisting the latch biasing element in moving the mating latch component from the latched position to the unlatched position
Implementation Method 2
a controllable current source for producing a current to heat the wire, which is caused to break and release the spring
Implementation Method 3
a mechanical advantage system having a plurality of advantage elements for engaging the device, such that movement of the plurality of advantage elements is associated with a trigger force and cooperation of the plurality of advantage elements provides for amplification of the trigger force as an initiating force to release the stored mechanical potential energy
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
A latch assembly for driving a closure panel from a closed panel position to an open panel position. The latch assembly comprises: a latch mechanism having a first latch element for retaining a mating latch component in a latched position and for moving the mating latch component from the latched position to an unlatched position when released, the movement of the first latch element biased towards the unlatched position by a latch biasing element; and an actuation system having: a mechanical energy storage system having a device for storing mechanical potential energy for assisting the latch biasing element in moving the mating latch component from the latched position to the unlatched position; a mechanical advantage system having a plurality of advantage elements for engaging the device, such that movement of the plurality of advantage elements is associated with a trigger force and cooperation of the plurality of advantage elements provides for amplification of the trigger force as an initiating force to release the stored mechanical potential energy; and a trigger system configured to provide the trigger force to release the stored mechanical potential energy.