Vehicle Latch Assembly Integrating Control Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and weight of vehicle wiring systems due to the decentralization of electronic control modules in vehicles, which necessitates a solution to simplify wiring configurations and protect sensitive control electronics from environmental contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A housing assembly for vehicle latch control electronics that encloses the control electronics within an interior cavity, using a double-sided connector and embedded conductors to connect with external electrical systems, while maintaining protection from contaminants and reducing wiring complexity by integrating control electronics with latch components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control electronics are decentralized to individual vehicle subsystems, then system functionality and service capability are improved, but vehicle weight and wiring harness complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control electronics with the latch assembly into an integrated unit. The control module is positioned within the latch housing, merging previously separate components (control electronics and mechanical latch) into a single decentralized subsystem. This integration eliminates the need for extensive wiring harnesses while maintaining the service capability of decentralized control, thereby reducing vehicle weight without sacrificing adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control electronics are decentralized to individual vehicle subsystems, then system functionality is improved, but wiring configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the control module directly into the latch assembly, the patent merges the electrical control system with the mechanical latch system. This consolidation eliminates complex wiring configurations by reducing the distance and number of connections required between control electronics and actuated components, while preserving the functional capabilities of decentralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the control electronics from the central vehicle wiring system and relocates them into the latch assembly itself. This extraction removes the complexity of extensive wiring harnesses by eliminating unnecessary intermediate connections, while the control module maintains full system functionality through direct integration with the latch mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If control electronics are exposed to external environment, then installation simplicity is improved, but protection from environmental contaminants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control module is merged with the latch housing to form an integrated assembly where the housing serves as a protective enclosure. This integration allows the control electronics to be installed within the sealed housing structure, providing environmental protection while maintaining installation simplicity through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module is nested within the latch housing, which acts as a protective outer shell. This nesting arrangement places the sensitive control electronics inside the sealed housing structure, shielding them from environmental contaminants such as moisture and dust, while the overall assembly maintains ease of installation as a single integrated unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly is provided and has a latch housing containing latch components and is integrally coupled to an electronic control assembly having control electronics for controlling the latch components and sensors and switches external to the latch housing. The control housing includes an exterior wall defining an interior cavity for mounting the control electronics. The control housing provides a mechanical connector with an external connector including a set of double sided connectors for coupling an electrical connector to the control electronics. The double sided connectors have a first portion projecting away from the exterior wall and outside of the interior cavity and associated with the mechanical connector for connecting with an electrical system of the vehicle and a second portion projecting away from the exterior wall and into the interior cavity to connect to the control electronics.