Vehicle Liftgate Striker and Latch with Roller Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle liftgate closure systems experience unwanted lateral movement and vibration due to inherent tolerances, leading to inefficient operation and potential damage from excessive forces.
Innovation Solution
A striker and latch construction with a tapered latch cover and resilient roller assemblies that control lateral movement and assist in pushing the liftgate away from the striker when unlocked, utilizing rollers with minimal friction and an over-travel bumper to limit movement, allowing for a lesser strength spring assembly to support the door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vehicle liftgate closure systems are used with standard latch and striker constructions, then the system can perform basic locking and unlocking functions, but unwanted lateral movement and vibration occur due to inherent tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tapered latch cover with a curved surface that contacts the striker, replacing conventional flat or linear contact surfaces. This curved geometry allows the latch to self-center on the striker during engagement, eliminating lateral movement and vibration caused by manufacturing tolerances. The tapered profile ensures proper alignment and stable engagement of the liftgate closure system.
2Device complexity
If conventional latch covers with flat profiles are used, then the structure is simple, but excessive forces are generated during operation causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the latch cover by implementing a tapered profile with specific angular dimensions. This parameter change transforms the force distribution during latch operation, converting excessive concentrated forces into distributed forces along the tapered surface. The result is reduced peak forces that could cause damage, while maintaining operational effectiveness.
3Strength
If standard spring assemblies are used to support the liftgate, then adequate support strength is provided, but the system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful lateral movement and vibration into a beneficial self-centering action through the tapered latch cover geometry. This conversion eliminates the need for heavy-duty springs to compensate for unstable engagement, allowing the use of lighter spring assemblies that provide adequate support without excessive weight. The unstable lateral forces are transformed into stabilizing centering forces.
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
This configuration reduces door-to-body vibration and movement, enhances the operational efficiency of the liftgate by minimizing dynamic loading on the user and reducing the risk of damage from excessive forces, while enabling the use of a lighter spring assembly for door support.
Implementation Method 1
resilient roller assemblies that control lateral movement and assist in pushing the liftgate away from the striker when unlocked
Implementation Method 2
utilizing rollers with minimal friction
Data Source
AI summary
Several vehicle liftgate striker and latch constructions are disclosed. The striker includes a striker base from which at least one striker pin extends. A latch, having a latch cover, is configured to be mounted on a vehicle liftgate, for juxtaposition to the striker base when the liftgate is closed and the latch engages the at least one striker pin. The striker includes a reactor structure for making contact with the latch cover, when the liftgate is closed, for controlling lateral movement of the latch relative to the striker base. The reactor structure preferably includes at least one roller mounted on a roller support, The latch cover has at least one side which Is angled, so as to exert force, having a lateral component, on the reactor structure. The at least one angled side of the latch cover may Include a detent, for providing additional restraining force, when the liftgate is in the closed position.