Latch Hold Open Lever Prevents Detent Re-engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle compartment latches often fail to open due to detent lever re-engagement with the fork bolt, especially in conditions like ice buildup or snow, preventing manual operation when automatic mechanisms are disabled.
Innovation Solution
A latch design incorporating a hold open lever that engages and retains the detent lever in a released position, using spring biasing to maintain the lever in an open position until the compartment is manually opened, and a feature on the fork bolt to disengage the hold open lever when the latch returns to the closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hold open lever is added to maintain the detent lever in a released position, then the reliability of manual opening is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hold open lever is integrated into the existing latch housing structure, nesting the new functionality within the existing framework rather than adding a completely separate mechanism. This reduces the overall complexity increase while maintaining the reliability improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The hold open lever acts as an intermediary component between the detent lever and the fork bolt, providing a mechanical connection that prevents unintended re-engagement. This intermediary element simplifies the control logic compared to electronic or sensor-based solutions.
2Ease of operation
If the hold open lever is spring biased into engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the force required for unintended activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring bias provides sufficient force to maintain the hold open lever in engagement under normal conditions, but the design allows for partial disengagement when the fork bolt is properly positioned. This partial action approach ensures easy operation while preventing excessive force requirements for unintended activation.
3Reliability
If the fork bolt is configured to disengage the hold open lever during travel, then the reliability of the latching mechanism is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fork bolt is designed with features that preliminarily prepare for disengagement of the hold open lever during its travel path. By positioning the disengagement feature to engage the hold open lever early in the travel sequence, the design ensures reliable latching while accommodating reasonable manufacturing tolerances.
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
Ensures the compartment can be manually opened by preventing detent lever re-engagement with the fork bolt, allowing safe operation even when automatic opening mechanisms are impaired by external forces or environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the hold open lever is spring biased into the first position
Implementation Method 2
the detent lever is spring biased into the latched position
Data Source
AI summary
A latch is disclosed herein. The latch having: a fork bolt movably mounted to the latch for movement between an open position and a closed position; a detent lever movably mounted to the latch for movement between a latched position and a released position, wherein the detent lever prevents the fork bolt from moving from the closed position to the open position when the detent lever is in the latched position; a hold open lever configured to engage and retain the detent lever when it moves from the latched position to the released position; and wherein the fork bolt is configured to disengage the hold open lever from the detent lever when the fork bolt travels away from the closed position.