Vehicle Latch Opening Speed Control for Quieter Tailgates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle latches, particularly those for tailgates, generate noise during operation due to sudden release and opening, which degrades the emotional quality of the vehicle and causes wear from friction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle latch system with a motor, worm gear, cinching gear, and link part that adjusts the opening speed of the catch to suppress noise generation by controlling the rotation of the catch and pawl interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the catch and pawl are immediately released and opened by reaction force, then the latch operation is fast and simple, but noise is generated and wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the opening speed of the catch adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically control the speed at which the catch opens from the locked state, allowing it to move slowly during normal operation to reduce noise and wear, while potentially moving faster when needed. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its speed based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of opening speed from a fixed value to an adjustable parameter. By modifying the speed at which the catch opens, the system can reduce noise generation and friction wear during normal operation while maintaining acceptable operation time. This parameter change allows the system to optimize performance based on different operational conditions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the catch is rotated slowly to reduce noise, then noise generation is suppressed, but the opening time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the opening speed of the catch based on operational needs. During normal locking and unlocking operations, the catch rotates slowly to minimize noise and wear. However, when rapid opening is required, the system can increase the rotation speed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the time-speed contradiction by optimizing performance for each specific operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements adjustable opening speed as a changeable parameter rather than a fixed value. The system can modify the rotation speed of the catch to balance between noise reduction and opening time requirements. This parameter flexibility allows the system to accept longer opening times when noise reduction is prioritized, while allowing faster opening when time is critical.
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 system reduces tailgate opening noise by gradually rotating the catch, minimizing contact force and reaction forces, thereby enhancing vehicle quietness and reducing wear.
Implementation Method 1
a worm gear engaged with the motor and rotated by operation of the motor
Implementation Method 2
a cinching gear that is engaged with the worm gear, rotates in a direction opposite to that of the worm gear
Implementation Method 3
the link part of which one side is in contact with the protrusion and the other side is in contact with the catch to allow the catch to be rotated by rotation of the protrusion
Implementation Method 4
a pawl which comes into contact with one side of the catch to restrict rotation of the catch
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a vehicle latch with adjustable opening speed. The present disclosure provides a vehicle latch that includes a catch which restricts or releases a striker disposed in a vehicle body, a pawl which comes into contact with one side of the catch to restrict rotation of the catch, a motor which transmits power to a link part, a worm gear engaged with the motor and rotated by operation of the motor, a cinching gear that is engaged with the worm gear, rotates in a direction opposite to that of the worm gear, and includes a protrusion formed to protrude from a front surface, and the link part of which one side is in contact with the protrusion and the other side is in contact with the catch to allow the catch to be rotated by rotation of the protrusion, wherein, in a process in which the catch is rotated such that a locked state is changed to an open state, the link part is contact-supported by one side of the catch, the catch is rotated by movement of the link part, and tailgate opening noise generation is suppressed.