Rotating Latch Assembly for Vehicle Height Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle height adjustment systems require constant hydraulic pressure to maintain the raised position, leading to energy inefficiency and potential unintentional movements due to internal leaks and the need for electric power in solenoid-activated mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A rotating latch assembly with a lift housing and support tube, featuring a retaining member and projections/protrusions for axial movement conversion to rotational locking, allowing the lift housing to maintain the extended position without additional energy input and preventing unintentional movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic actuators are used to maintain the lift housing in an extended position, then the vehicle height can be adjusted, but constant hydraulic pressure is required leading to energy consumption and potential unintentional movements due to internal leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle height stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic actuator system with a rotating latch assembly that uses mechanical locking through the interaction of a latch member with engagement surfaces. The latch member can engage with a first engagement surface to hold the lift housing in the extended position or with a second engagement surface to hold it in the retracted position, eliminating the need for constant hydraulic pressure and associated energy consumption while preventing unintentional movements through positive mechanical locking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating latch assembly allows the lift housing to maintain its position through the mechanical engagement of the latch member with the engagement surfaces on the support tube. The system is self-sustaining in both extended and retracted positions without requiring continuous energy input, as the mechanical latch holds the position passively once engaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If solenoid activated mechanisms are used for height adjustment, then the vehicle height can be adjusted, but electric power is required for locking and unlocking the solenoid valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment controlVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the solenoid activated mechanism with a purely mechanical rotating latch assembly. The latch member rotates to engage with different engagement surfaces on the support tube, providing locking and unlocking functionality without requiring electric power. The mechanical design allows for easy operation through rotational movement while eliminating the need for electrical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If hydraulic pressure is continuously applied to maintain extended position, then the lift housing remains stable, but energy is consumed and internal leaks cause unintentional movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift housing position stabilityVSAvoidhydraulic energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic pressure system with a mechanical locking system using the latch member and engagement surfaces. The latch member provides positive mechanical engagement that maintains the lift housing position without requiring continuous energy input. The mechanical locking prevents unintentional movements through physical constraint rather than hydraulic pressure, eliminating energy loss associated with maintaining pressure and compensating for internal leaks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11142034B2Rotating latch assembly for raising and lowering the height of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 BEIJING WEST IND CO LTD

AI summary

A rotating latch assembly includes a lift housing extending between a first opened end and a second opened end and defining a chamber extending therebetween. A support tube is slidably disposed in the chamber and extends between a first end and a second end. The lift housing is movable along the support tube between an extended position and a lowered position in response to a movement provided by an actuator wherein the extended position is the lift housing being adjacent to the first end and the lowered position is the lowered position being adjacent to the second end. A retaining member is disposed between the lift housing and the support tube and attached to the support tube and the lift housing for maintaining the lift housing in the extended position as the lift housing moving from the lowered position to the extended position.