Vehicle Storage Compartment Latch With Direct Worm-Gear Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching systems for vehicle storage compartments, particularly in modern vehicles, lack simplicity, ease of manufacturing, and cost-effectiveness while providing adequate security and user convenience, especially in electrically operated systems.
Innovation Solution
A storage compartment latch with a housing, locking bolt, electric drive, and lever element, utilizing a worm gear to convert rotational motor movement into pivoting movements of the lever, reducing components and requiring minimal force for unlatching, and allowing for easy, secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrically operated latching system with a locking mechanism is used, then access security and user convenience are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electric motor, worm gear, and locking mechanism into a single integrated actuator assembly. The motor shaft directly drives the worm gear, which is mounted on the same shaft, eliminating the need for separate power transmission components. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the electrical actuation function for secure access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly serves multiple functions: the electric motor provides electrical actuation for secure locking, the worm gear converts rotational motion to linear motion for bolt movement, and the entire assembly can be mounted directly to the door structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components while achieving both security and ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If a manual latching system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but operating comfort and security deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The worm gear mechanism provides self-locking capability, meaning the locking bolt remains secured without requiring continuous power or additional holding components. The mechanical advantage of the worm gear allows the small motor to move the bolt while the reverse friction prevents unauthorized manual operation, achieving both simplicity and security.
3Reliability
If a complex power transmission mechanism is used, then reliability of latching is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate power transmission components from conventional systems. By mounting the worm gear directly on the motor shaft and using the motor shaft itself as the drive element, the invention removes redundant gears, belts, or linkages that would increase complexity while maintaining reliable power transmission for latching operations.
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 provides a cost-effective, reliable, and efficient latching system with high operating comfort, reduced backlash and noise, and enhanced security, suitable for vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
The electric drive (13) is arranged in the housing (12) and comprises an electric motor (37) and a worm gear (41) driven by the electric motor (37)
Implementation Method 2
a rotational movement of the electric motor (37) is directly converted into a pivoting movement of the lever element (14) via the worm gear (41)
Implementation Method 3
The lever element (14) has a lever arm which engages with the base body of the at least one locking bolt (17) in order to convert a pivoting movement of the lever element (14) into a displacement movement of the at least one locking bolt (17)
Data Source
AI summary
A storage compartment latch for a storage compartment of a vehicle comprises a housing, at least one locking bolt which is displaceably mounted in the housing and which can be selectively transferred into a position retracted in the housing or a position extended from the housing, an electric drive arranged in the housing with an electric motor and a worm gear driven by the electric motor, and a lever element which is pivotally mounted in the housing and which is directly operatively connected to the worm gear in such a way that a rotational movement of the electric motor is converted directly into a pivoting movement of the lever element via the worm gear, wherein the lever element is further operatively connected to the at least one locking bolt in such a way that a pivoting movement of the lever element is converted into a displacement movement of the at least one locking bolt.