In response to consumer demand, automakers are adding more safety, security, and convenience features to vehicle access control systems. Also, in a continuing effort to be more profitable, automakers are reducing costs by outsourcing the design of systems/sub-systems/components, reducing their supply base, and minimizing part numbers by sharing components across several platforms. In an attempt to improve efficiency and productivity, many OEM's have adopted a “corporate latch” strategy, implementing the same latch across several manufacturing platforms and marketing divisions.
Honeywell's revolutionary door latch design efficiently and cost effectively addresses vehicle OEMs' current and future requirements for performance and functionality. Utilizing this modular latch design allows OEMs to maximize design re-use, minimize tooling and development costs, hasten time to market, reduce program risk by utilizing pre-proven/validated designs and allows for upgrades in functionality through transparent design modifications that appear seamless within the application.
Honeywell's Universal Latch provides all levels of functionality within the same packaging envelope and is the perfect enabler for a “corporate latch” strategy. Features and functions offered by the latch include:
Most impressive is the fact that Honeywell's latch provides all of these features and functions with one small motor! Currently, competitive latch designs require the utilization of as many as three distinct motors to offer the same capabilities.
This paper will present characterization data for the Universal Latch and compare its performance to competitive latches currently on vehicles. Furthermore, a feature value analysis will be provided to illustrate the benefits and savings the Honeywell design can provide to the entire access control system.
After considering all of the facts presented in the paper, the reader will easily conclude that Honeywell's automotive door latch is smaller, lighter, quieter, faster, safer, and more cost effective than any automotive door latching/locking system on the market today.