Vehicle Door Latch Single-Direction Assembly Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door latch devices face inefficiencies in assembly due to the need to connect the outside lever and operating mechanism from perpendicular directions, leading to increased assembly steps, cost, and a larger device size.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door latch device with an engagement assembly that allows connection from a single direction, utilizing positioning-guide means on casings to guide the engagement assembly, and an outside lever supported by the engagement assembly, eliminating the need for additional steps and reducing the device's height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the outside lever is supported via a pivot shaft on the casing from a perpendicular direction, then the outside lever can be connected to the casing, but the assembly direction conflicts with the operating mechanism connection direction, requiring multiple assembly steps and reducing assembly efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outside lever support function into the engagement assembly by providing a pivot shaft on the engagement assembly body rather than on the casing. This allows both the operating mechanism and outside lever to be connected from the same direction (single-sided assembly), eliminating the need for perpendicular direction connections and reducing assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by moving the pivot shaft from the casing to the engagement assembly body, effectively repositioning the outside lever support in a different dimensional configuration. This allows the outside lever to be connected from the same direction as the operating mechanism, transforming a multi-directional assembly problem into a single-direction assembly solution.
2Ease of operation
If the pivot shaft and outside lever are located below the engagement assembly on the casing, then the outside lever can be supported, but the casing height increases, making the whole door latch device larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pivot shaft and outside lever support function directly into the engagement assembly body, eliminating the need for separate casing structures to support the outside lever. This integration allows the outside lever to be positioned within the engagement assembly footprint rather than extending below the casing, thereby reducing the overall device height.
3Ease of manufacture
If the engagement assembly is connected to the operating assembly in a stationary state from different directions, then both components can be connected, but fixing operations are required and assembly efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection directions by repositioning the pivot shaft on the engagement assembly body, enabling both the operating mechanism and outside lever to be connected from the same direction. This single-sided connection approach eliminates the need for multi-directional fixing operations and allows for more efficient assembly processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle door latch device comprises an engagement assembly comprising an engagement mechanism which is engagable with a striker of a vehicle body; a first casing which can be connected from one direction to an operating mechanism which can turn to a locking state and an unlocking state; an operating assembly comprising a second casing to which the engagement assembly is attached; an outside lever pivotally supported on the engagement assembly; and positioning-guide means by which the engagement assembly can be connected from the same direction as a direction in which the operating mechanism is connected to the first casing, thereby improving assembling efficiency and getting smaller.