Vehicle Door Latch Polymer Levers and Water Deflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle door latches face issues with non-smooth release feeling, undesired bumps, imprecise child security lock and unlock efforts, and water intrusion, especially under high temperature exposure and varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle latch assembly featuring polymer-formed levers with reinforcement ribs, an actuator housing with a water deflector, and a child security mechanism connected via a torsion spring, which reduces sound, release effort, and prevents water intrusion while maintaining precise locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional metal levers are used in the latch assembly, then structural strength is maintained, but release effort becomes excessive and operation feels rough with bumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by forming levers from polymer materials that incorporate reinforcement elements (such as fiber reinforcements or embedded metal components). This composite construction allows the lever to achieve the necessary structural strength while the polymer matrix provides smooth operation and reduced release effort compared to traditional solid metal levers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing reinforcement elements only in specific high-stress regions of the lever rather than using solid metal throughout. This allows the lever to have sufficient strength at critical points while maintaining overall lightness and smooth operation in non-critical areas.
2Ease of operation
If polymer levers are used to reduce release effort, then operation smoothness improves, but water absorption and degradation may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite polymer materials that combine hydrophobic polymer matrices with reinforcement fibers. This composite structure provides both the smooth operation characteristics of polymer and improved water resistance through the hydrophobic nature of the polymer matrix and the barrier effect of the reinforcement layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the polymer material parameters by selecting specific polymer types with low water absorption characteristics and adjusting the material composition to optimize both operational smoothness and environmental resistance. The material parameters are tailored to maintain dimensional stability and mechanical properties under varying humidity and temperature conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple lever design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but water intrusion and sealing issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by integrating sealing features and water diversion elements at specific locations within the lever design. The lever includes localized sealing surfaces, drainage channels, and water deflection features that prevent water intrusion without requiring complete redesign of the entire lever structure, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while addressing water protection needs.
4Reliability
If child security mechanism is added to prevent accidental opening, then security improves, but lock and unlock precision decreases especially after temperature exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by selecting materials with matched thermal expansion coefficients for components in the child security mechanism. This ensures that the mechanical tolerances and engagement precision are maintained across a wide temperature range. The spring tension and lever geometry parameters are also optimized to compensate for thermal effects and maintain precise operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials in the child security mechanism components to reduce thermal expansion effects and maintain dimensional stability. The use of low-expansion polymer composites or metal-polymer hybrids helps preserve the precision of lock and unlock operations even after exposure to high temperatures.
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 enhances the smooth operation of vehicle door latches by reducing noise and water intrusion, improving release effort, and ensuring precise child security performance even at high temperatures, while maintaining structural integrity and sealing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a child security mechanism having a torsion spring connecting the child security mechanism to an inner release mechanism
Implementation Method 2
an actuator housing assembly including a water deflector enclosing a connection between an actuator housing and a cover
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle latch assembly includes a plurality of levers for transferring actuation forces to open and close the vehicle latch assembly, at least one of the plurality of levers formed of at least one polymer, wherein the plurality of levers includes a child lock engage lever. Also included is an actuator housing assembly including a water deflector enclosing a connection between an actuator housing and a cover, the vehicle latch assembly reducing sound, reducing release effort, and reducing water intrusion.