Vehicle Door Lock Actuation Mechanism Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door lock devices are bulky due to the need for a release input board and rotary sliding board, which increases size and complexity, while there is a demand for a more compact and easily mountable solution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door lock device with a latching mechanism and an active lever that swivels around a first support shaft, linked to an electric motor, and a release lever that swivels around a second support shaft, eliminating the need for a release input board and rotary sliding board, allowing for direct transmission of motion and reducing overall size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the release input board and rotary sliding board are used to transmit swiveling motion, then the release lever can be actuated, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the release input board and rotary sliding board from the mechanism, extracting the unnecessary intermediate transmission components. The active lever directly actuates the release lever through a simplified connection, eliminating the bulky intermediate components while maintaining the release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the active lever and release lever into a more integrated system where the active lever directly connects to and actuates the release lever. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate release input board and rotary sliding board components, reducing overall device volume.
2Ease of operation
If multiple intermediate components (release input board, rotary sliding board) are used, then motion transmission is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the release input board and rotary sliding board from the mechanism, eliminating unnecessary intermediate components. The motion transmission is achieved through a direct connection between the active lever and release lever, significantly reducing component count and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the lever mechanism into two main functional parts: the active lever for receiving motor drive and the release lever for actuating the latching mechanism. This segmentation eliminates the need for intermediate release input board and rotary sliding board components, simplifying the overall structure.
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 enables a more compact and efficient vehicle door lock device that is easier to mount, with improved size reduction and stability, while maintaining effective operation of the latching mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an active lever that has a support which swivels around a first support shaft, a link section which is disposed on the outer side from the support in a radial direction with the first support shaft as the center and has an outer circumferential section that is linked to and driven by an electric motor
Implementation Method 2
a release lever that swivels around a second support shaft which is disposed in the recessed portion to be parallel to the first support shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door lock device includes: a latching mechanism maintaining a vehicle door in a closing-stop state; an active lever having a support swiveling around a first support shaft, a link section disposed on the outer side from the support in a radial direction with the first support shaft as the center and having an outer circumferential section linked to and driven by an electric motor, a connection section connecting the support and the link section, and a first engagement section formed in one of an outer circumferential section of the support and an inner circumferential section of the link section; a release lever swiveling around a second support shaft disposed in the recessed portion to be parallel to the first support shaft, interconnected with the latching mechanism, and having a second engagement section engageable with the first engagement section so as to integrally swivel with the active lever.