Universal Vehicle Door Latch for Rod or Cable Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door latch systems require multiple configurations for different designs and components, leading to increased complexity and component count, especially when used with cables and rods.
Innovation Solution
A universal vehicle latch design featuring a retention plate, housing, cover, pivotally mounted claw and pawl, and an outside handle lever that can be secured to either a rod or cable, with integrated features like a spring-biased mechanism and a central door lock sector to reduce component count and enhance versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the latch is designed to accommodate multiple configurations (rod and cable), then the versatility and adaptability improve, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed with a universal outside handle lever that can be secured to either a rod or a cable, allowing the same latch assembly to serve multiple functions and accommodate different door designs. This multi-functionality approach enables a single latch design to replace what would traditionally require separate latch configurations for rod-operated and cable-operated systems, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through design integration rather than component proliferation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the latch is designed to accommodate multiple configurations (rod and cable), then the adaptability improves, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outside handle lever is designed as a universal component that can be secured to either a rod or a cable, eliminating the need for separate latch designs for different actuation methods. This universal design approach reduces the overall component count by allowing a single latch assembly to accommodate multiple configurations, directly addressing the issue of increased component quantity while maintaining adaptability
3Manufacturing precision
If separate latch designs are used for rear door and front door applications, then the manufacturing precision for specific applications improves, but the device complexity and component variety increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates a universal design with an outside handle lever that can accommodate different actuation methods (rod or cable) and is suitable for both front and rear door applications. This universal configuration reduces the need for multiple specialized latch designs, thereby reducing configuration variety and associated complexity while maintaining the ability to meet specific application requirements through a standardized platform
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 design simplifies the latch mechanism, reducing the number of components needed while allowing operation with both rods and cables, providing a versatile solution for various vehicle door applications with improved operational efficiency and reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the outside handle lever is spring biased a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle latch, including: a retention plate; a housing; a cover, the retention plate being secured to the housing and the housing is secured to the cover; a claw pivotally mounted to the retention plate; a pawl pivotally mounted to the retention plate; an outside handle lever securable to either a rod or a cable located outside of the housing of the latch; an inside release lever that is pivotally mounted to the housing via a pivot, the pivot being integrally formed with the housing such that they are formed as a single component, wherein the cover includes two retaining features to hold the inside release lever in position on the pivot, a first one of the two retaining features is located proximate to a tip of the pivot and a second one of the two retaining features is located at an opposite side of the tip of the pivot such that portions of the release lever is rotationally received between the two retaining features; and a fastener for securing the cover to the housing.