Vehicular Latch Cable Bushing With Sealed Releasable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle latch assemblies are prone to water ingress, leading to corrosion and jamming, especially when configured with Bowden cables, and preassembly with cables is costly and complex, with potential disconnection issues due to tension forces.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a cable bushing that is releasably attached to the cover and features a retaining mechanism, such as a pin and slot arrangement or tab and slot mechanism, to inhibit disconnection from the housing and provide post-installation servicing, while seal members are used to prevent water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cable bushing is permanently fastened to the housing, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable bushing connection transitions from a static permanent fastening to a dynamic releasable connection. The retaining mechanism allows the cable bushing to be securely held during normal operation but can be released when repair or replacement is needed, enabling both reliable connection and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into separate components: the cable bushing, the retaining mechanism, and the housing. This segmentation allows the cable bushing to be independently removed and replaced without replacing the entire housing or latch assembly, improving both repairability and reliability through modular design.
2Ease of manufacture
If preassembly with Bowden cables is performed, then assembly completeness is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is divided into separate modules: the housing with cable bushing receptacle, the cable bushing with cable, and the retaining mechanism. This segmentation allows flexible assembly options - the cable bushing can be installed separately into the housing, avoiding the complexity of preassembling the entire unit while maintaining assembly completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly process becomes dynamic and flexible rather than fixed. The retaining mechanism enables the cable bushing to be attached after housing assembly, allowing manufacturers to choose the optimal assembly sequence based on production requirements, reducing device complexity while maintaining completeness.
3Ease of operation
If openings are formed in the housing for cable passage, then cable connectivity is improved, but water ingress resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable bushing acts as an intermediary component between the cable and the housing opening. It provides a sealed interface that allows the cable to pass through while maintaining water ingress resistance. The retaining mechanism further secures this intermediary component, ensuring both cable connectivity and protection against water.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable bushing creates a flexible sealed passage for the cable. Rather than a rigid opening that compromises water resistance, the bushing provides a compliant seal around the cable, maintaining water ingress resistance while enabling cable connectivity through the housing.
4Ease of repair
If the cable bushing is made easily removable, then ease of repair is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection exhibits dynamic characteristics - easily removable when needed for repair but securely retained during normal operation. The retaining mechanism provides controlled removability, allowing easy repair through simple release while maintaining high connection reliability through positive engagement during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining mechanism is pre-configured to automatically engage and secure the cable bushing upon insertion. This preliminary action ensures connection reliability is established before any operational forces are applied, while still allowing easy removal when the release mechanism is activated for repair purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealed latch assembly for a vehicle closure panel is provided. The latch assembly includes a housing having an interior sized for receipt of internal components of the latch assembly. A cover is attached to the housing to enclose at least a portion of the cavity. At least one release cable is configured for operable connection to at least one of the internal components. A cable bushing is attached to the cover. The latch bushing can have a coupling mechanism including a tab and slot arrangement for releasably coupling a body of the cable bushing in a receptacle of the cover. The latch bushing can have a retaining mechanism oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis for inhibiting disconnection of the cable bushing from the cover in a direction along the longitudinal axis.