Trunk Lid Latch Assembly Single Motor Gear Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trunk lid latch assemblies for vehicles require separate bulky motors for locking and unlocking, making them difficult to mount inside the vehicle body and inefficient in operation.
Innovation Solution
A trunk lid latch assembly using a single drive motor with a main gear, claw, cinching member, and link structure to integrate both locking and unlocking functions, along with an emergency opening mechanism, reducing component count and weight while enabling bidirectional release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate driving motors are disposed to transmit power in separate directions for locking and opening, then the locking and unlocking functions are achieved, but the motors become excessively bulky and difficult to mount inside the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate driving motors into a single integrated motor unit. The single motor transmits power through a gear mechanism (including a main gear and a idler gear) to achieve both locking and unlocking functions, eliminating the need for two separate motors and reducing overall size and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The single driving motor is designed to perform multiple functions by transmitting power in different directions through the gear mechanism. The motor can drive the latch assembly both to lock (by rotating in one direction) and to unlock (by rotating in the opposite direction), making one component serve multiple purposes.
2Reliability
If two separate driving motors are used for locking and opening, then the locking and unlocking functions are achieved, but it becomes difficult to mount them inside the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate motor assemblies into a single compact motor unit with an integrated gear mechanism. This consolidation creates a smaller, more manageable component that can be easily mounted within the limited space of the vehicle body, specifically in the door latch assembly area.
3Weight of moving object
If a single drive motor is used with integrated cinching mechanism, then production costs and weight are reduced, but the mechanism becomes more complex in design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic gear mechanism where gears automatically engage and disengage based on the direction of motor rotation and the position of the latch. The cinching mechanism uses a pawl and ratchet arrangement that automatically locks in the locking direction while allowing free rotation in the unlocking direction, reducing the need for complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear mechanism and cinching arrangement are designed to automatically perform their functions based on the motor's rotation direction. The pawl automatically engages with the ratchet teeth to provide cinching action during locking, and automatically disengages during unlocking, eliminating the need for additional control mechanisms or complex electronic controls.
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 integrated power latch structure reduces production costs, weight, and operating force loss, while improving product quality by allowing accurate half and full locking with reduced components and bidirectional operation.
Implementation Method 1
a main gear disposed at a second side of the base and provided on a first rotation shaft to be rotatable by a drive motor
Implementation Method 2
a claw rotatably disposed on the base at a position where the first insertion hole is provided, with a second insertion hole being indented inwardly on the claw
Implementation Method 3
by a pawl lever configured for locking or unlocking the claw; and a plurality of links coupled to the cinching member
Data Source
AI summary
A trunk lid latch assembly for a vehicle may include a main gear rotated by a drive motor provided at the base, wherein an error lever, a pawl lever, a plurality of links, and a cinching member are rotated in conjunction with rotation of the main gear, and thus a striker is locked or unlocked from the claw.