Interchangeable Switch Cam Lever for Vehicle Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle latch systems face challenges in accommodating varying customer requirements for switch designs, leading to increased mass and cost due to unneeded travel in switch cam designs and the need for multiple electrical circuit carrier designs.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable switch cam lever with adjustable cam profiles and a post-and-slot mechanism that allows for reduced movement of the switch cam lever only when necessary, enabling customization for different switch activation points without altering the electrical circuit carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a common slot cam design is used with switch activation points near the end of travel, then the latch can detect door open conditions, but the switch cam lever has excessive unneeded travel which increases mass and package size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cam profile adjustable rather than fixed. The cam lever can be repositioned along the slot to change the activation point, allowing the system to optimize the cam lever travel distance for different switch positions. This dynamic adjustment eliminates excessive travel when switches are positioned earlier in the rotation, reducing the mass of the cam lever while maintaining reliable door open detection.
2Reliability
If switch activation points are positioned near the end of claw rotation travel, then door open detection is achieved, but excessive unneeded travel increases the latch package size due to required swing clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable cam lever position along the slot enables dynamic optimization of the activation point. By moving the cam lever to engage the switch earlier in the claw's rotation, the required swing clearance is reduced, thereby decreasing the overall latch package size while maintaining reliable door open detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot is divided into multiple engagement positions that allow the cam lever to be segmented and repositioned. This segmentation enables the system to select the optimal engagement point for each specific application, minimizing the travel distance and reducing the required package area while ensuring proper switch activation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical circuit carrier designs are used to accommodate different switch arrangements, then customer-specific requirements are met, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single electrical circuit carrier that can accommodate multiple switch arrangements. The adjustable cam lever mechanism allows the same carrier design to serve different customer requirements by simply repositioning the cam lever along the slot, eliminating the need for multiple specialized carrier designs and significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic repositionability of the cam lever provides adaptability without requiring different carrier designs. The same universal carrier can be used across various applications, with the cam lever adjusted to different positions along the slot to meet specific switch arrangement requirements, thereby maintaining versatility while simplifying manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle latch assembly, including: a pawl pivotally mounted to the vehicle latch assembly; a claw pivotally mounted to the vehicle latch assembly; a switch cam lever; a first switch; a second switch, the switch cam lever has a first cam profile configured to engage the first switch and a second cam profile configured to engage the second switch, the first cam profile engaging the first switch; and wherein the second cam profile engages the second switch when the vehicle latch assembly is in a secondary position.