Abstract
The functional requirement of an automobile latch system is to assure that the door or tail gate is in a closed position for controlled releases. The variation of release efforts for a door latch system affects customer satisfaction, and it is related to the operating efficiency. The operating efficiency for an automotive latch system is defined as the ratio of the output energy at the handle. The load transfer between the handle and the latch relies on cables or rods. A robust case study was conducted to investigate the door latch linkage system under various noise conditions: temperature, humidity, salt, dust, abusive usage, pitching angle and yawing angle. Through this study, design guidelines have been developed to improve the robustness and operating efficiency of a door latch linkage system.
