Ball-and-Socket Joint Damping for Quiet Door Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated motor vehicle door locking systems face issues with mechanical connections becoming undone under tensile forces and produce unwanted noises due to cable movement, requiring frequent repairs and noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A ball-and-socket joint with a pin for limiting pivoting and a damping element to prevent direct contact, ensuring secure and quiet operation by restricting excessive pivoting and using a softer material for noise damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixing points are used to secure cable ends to the motor vehicle flap, then the cable pull system can be implemented, but the mechanical connection becomes undone under considerable tensile forces
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing point is divided into a ball head and a socket with a pin, where the ball head can pivot within the socket. This segmentation allows the connection to accommodate movement while maintaining security, preventing the mechanical connection from coming undone under tensile forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball head is designed to pivot dynamically within the socket rather than being rigidly fixed. This dynamic capability allows the connection to adapt to movement and tensile forces, maintaining reliability while enabling the cable pull system to function properly.
2Productivity
If cables are guided parallel to the guide rail during door closing, then the locking system can operate, but unwanted noises occur due to cable position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The ball-and-socket joint acts as an intermediary between the cable and the motor vehicle flap. This intermediary component absorbs and dampens the noises generated during cable position changes, allowing the door closing operation to proceed without unwanted noise while maintaining proper cable guidance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ball head is allowed to pivot freely in the bearing opening, then the engagement point can accommodate movement, but direct contact between the pin and socket causes noise
Solution Approach 1:
A damping element is introduced as an intermediary between the pin and the socket wall. This damping element prevents direct contact between the pin and socket, eliminating noise while allowing the ball head to pivot freely and maintain adaptability to movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element changes the physical parameters of the pin-socket interface by providing a softer, noise-absorbing contact surface. This parameter change allows the ball head to pivot freely while preventing the direct metal-to-metal contact that causes noise.
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 ball-and-socket joint provides a reliable and quiet engagement point for drive elements, maintaining secure operation under considerable forces and reducing noise during motor vehicle door opening and closing.
Implementation Method 1
at least one damping element is arranged in the bearing opening in such a manner that contact of the pin with the socket is prevented during pivoting of the ball head
Data Source
AI summary
A ball-and-socket joint as an engagement point for a driving element, having a ball head and a socket with a bearing opening, wherein the ball head has a pin for limiting the pivoting of the ball head in the bearing opening, wherein the ball head together with the pin is at least partially arranged in the bearing opening, and wherein at least one damping element is arranged in the bearing opening in such a manner that contact of the pin with the socket is prevented during the pivoting of the ball head.