Modular Vehicle Latch Assembly with Interchangeable Cinch Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power latch assemblies for vehicle closure systems require separate housings for power release, power cinch, and power present features, leading to increased complexity and cost due to the need for different housing designs and separate mounting, which complicates assembly and adds handling steps.
Innovation Solution
A modular power latch and cinch assembly where the cinch housing is releasably fixed to the latch housing, allowing for interchangeable cinch housings of different sizes and styles, with a separate actuator to move the cinch mechanism between positions, reducing the need for multiple housing designs and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate housings are used for power release, power cinch, and power present actuators, then each actuator can be independently housed and maintained, but the device complexity increases and assembly handling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple actuator housings (power release, power cinch, and power present actuators) into a single integrated housing structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate housing designs for each actuator, reducing device complexity while maintaining independent actuator functionality and reliability through internal separation within the unified housing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate housings are used for different actuators, then each actuator can be independently designed, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to multiple housing versions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal housing design that can accommodate multiple different actuator types (power release, power cinch, power present) within a single structure. This universal housing eliminates the need to manufacture different housing versions for different actuator configurations, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the adaptability to support various actuator combinations through internal modular arrangements.
3Ease of operation
If separate housings are used for each actuator, then assembly of individual actuators is simplified, but the handling complexity during assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuator assemblies into a single integrated housing unit, reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled during assembly. This approach simplifies assembly handling by treating the actuators as a unified subassembly rather than multiple separate items, while still allowing individual actuator installation and maintenance within the combined housing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure member includes a latch housing containing a ratchet and a pawl in a latch housing chamber and an auxiliary housing containing an actuator in an auxiliary housing chamber. The latch housing chamber and the auxiliary housing chamber are separate from one another and out of communication from one another, with at least one cable extending exteriorly between the auxiliary housing and the latch housing. The actuator is energizable to move the at least one cable to move the ratchet from a secondary striker capture position to a primary striker capture position and optionally to move another cable to move the ratchet from the primary striker capture position toward a striker release position.