Vehicle Bonnet Lock Adjusting Device with Self-Locking Wedge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment devices for motor vehicle front flaps require significant actuator power to move the lock from a normal to a raised position, which is inefficient and may not effectively prevent unwanted displacement during pedestrian protection scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment device with a locked carriage that uses wedges for self-locking along a guide, allowing for easy release with a relatively small actuator force by moving a slide, enabling the lock to track the bonnet's movement from a normal to a raised position, utilizing a spring for initial clamping and an actuator to release the wedges, with optional dual wedges for bidirectional blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock mechanism with self-locking wedges is used to prevent unwanted displacement, then reliability is improved, but the actuator power required to release the lock increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is segmented into a carriage that can move along a guide, with the lock body remaining stationary. This separation allows the carriage to track the bonnet movement independently while the lock body maintains its locking function, reducing the power needed for actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
A slide acts as an intermediary element between the actuator and the self-locking wedges. The actuator only needs to move the slide a small distance, which then triggers the release of the wedges. This intermediary mechanism amplifies the small actuator movement into a larger carriage displacement, significantly reducing the required actuator power.
2Stability of the object's composition
If self-locking wedges are used to secure the carriage position, then stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to high release force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static lock mechanism to a dynamic one where the carriage can move along the guide while the lock body remains stationary. The self-locking wedges dynamically engage and disengage based on the carriage position, providing stability during normal operation and ease of release when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide serves as a mediator that converts a small actuator movement into the release of the self-locking wedges. This intermediary mechanism allows the carriage to be released easily with minimal force applied to the slide, while maintaining stable self-locking during normal operation.
3Device complexity
If the lock is directly coupled to the bonnet without a carriage mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to track bonnet movement during raising deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two independent components: a stationary lock body and a movable carriage. The carriage is coupled to the bonnet and moves along a guide, allowing it to track the bonnet's vertical movement during raising while the lock body remains fixed and provides the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage serves multiple functions: it tracks the bonnet movement vertically along the guide, carries the self-locking wedges, and interfaces with the stationary lock body. This multi-functional design provides adaptability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
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
This solution reduces the required actuator power and ensures reliable locking and unlocking of the lock, allowing for efficient movement of the front flap with minimal force, enhancing pedestrian protection by using a smaller, more efficient actuator.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one slide is acted upon by a spring, the spring force of which can bring the slide or the wedge displaced by the slide into the clamping position
Implementation Method 2
The shape of the wedge causes self-locking to occur, i. H. in the clamping position, no relative movement between the guide and the carriage is possible
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an adjusting device (1) for a lock (4) of a front flap of a motor vehicle, which can be moved from a normal position to a raised position, wherein the adjusting device (1) has a sliding carriage (2) that is coupled to the lock (4) and can be displaced along a guide (3). In a clamping position, said sliding carriage is clamped to the guide (3) by means of at least one wedge (6, 7, 8, 9), and can be brought into a non-clamped position, in which the sliding carriage (2) can be displaced, by means of an actuator for moving the at least one wedge (6, 7, 8, 9).