Vehicle Sliding Door Latch Integration for Lighter Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sliding door opening and closing devices are heavy due to large motors and long cables, and their configurations are complex, making weight reduction and simplification difficult.
Innovation Solution
The integration of the lock mechanism, power releaser, and canceler into the fully closed latch mechanism, along with a relay control mechanism that includes a pivotally supported handle lever, eliminates the need for direct motor power transmission and reduces cable length, thereby simplifying the design and reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the power closer, power releaser, and power lock actuator use separate motors with transmission mechanisms, then each component can be independently controlled, but the total weight and device complexity increase due to multiple motors and long cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power releaser and power lock actuator into a single integrated actuator unit that operates from one location. This merging eliminates the need for separate motors and reduces cable length, directly addressing the weight reduction goal while maintaining the ability to control both functions (latching and locking) through a unified mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cables are arranged in a complicated manner to transmit power from separate motors, then each component can be actuated, but the cable length and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the power releaser and power lock actuator into a single actuator unit, the patent reduces multiple cable routes into a single, simplified cable arrangement. This eliminates the complicated cable routing while preserving the ability to actuate both the latching and locking mechanisms through the unified actuator.
3Device complexity
If the lock mechanism, power releaser, and canceler are integrated into the fully closed latch mechanism, then the assembly is simplified and weight is reduced, but the mechanical design becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the lock mechanism, power releaser, and canceler into the fully closed latch mechanism assembly. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate components and simplifies the overall assembly structure, directly addressing the reduction in device complexity while the integrated design streamlines the mechanical relationships between components.
4Weight of moving object
If a single common motor is used for power closer and power releaser, then the number of motors is reduced, but the cable length increases due to reciprocating cable arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the power releaser and power lock actuator into a single actuator unit positioned at one location, eliminating the need for reciprocating cable arrangements. This unified positioning allows for shorter, more direct cable routing compared to separate motor locations, thereby reducing total cable length while maintaining the motor reduction benefit.
Data Source
AI summary
An opening and closing device of a vehicle sliding door includes: a fully closed latch mechanism; a fully opened latch mechanism; a power releaser; a power closer; a canceler; a lock mechanism; and a relay control mechanism that includes an inner handle. The lock mechanism, the power releaser, and the canceler are disposed in the fully closed latch mechanism. The relay control mechanism includes a handle lever configured to, when a door opening operation is performed on the inner handle, rotate in a first direction to unlatch the fully closed latch mechanism and activate the cancel mechanism, and when a door closing operation is performed on the inner handle, rotate in a second direction to unlatch the fully opened latch mechanism. The inner handle is pivotally supported by the handle case of the relay control mechanism so as to be rotatable in two directions.