Vehicle Bonnet Locking Device with Load-Dependent Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle bonnet locking devices do not effectively protect pedestrians from severe injuries during impacts, as they require additional complex components and are not designed to manage varying loads efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a rotary latch, pawl, and catch hook featuring a load-dependent barrier that limits the striker's movement during closure, allowing it to submerge beyond the intended closed position only under excessive load, providing enhanced pedestrian protection without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking device is designed to securely lock the bonnet in the closed position, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components required for pedestrian protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking function and pedestrian protection function into a single integrated locking device. The catch hook with load-dependent barrier is merged with the rotary latch and pawl mechanism, eliminating the need for separate pedestrian protection components while maintaining both locking reliability and protection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to perform multiple functions: secure locking of the bonnet in the closed position and pedestrian impact protection. The catch hook with load-dependent barrier serves dual purposes by both securing the bonnet and providing controlled movement during pedestrian impacts, making the device universal and multi-functional
2Ease of operation
If the striker is allowed to move freely during closure, then the ease of operation is improved, but the bonnet may damage the vehicle chassis due to excessive movement
Solution Approach 1:
The load-dependent barrier in the catch hook provides beforehand cushioning by limiting the striker's movement before excessive force can be applied to the chassis. During normal closure, the barrier allows sufficient movement for easy operation, but during impacts, it prevents excessive movement that would cause damage, thus cushioning against harmful effects in advance
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism is designed to prevent any movement of the striker, then the locking reliability is improved, but the pedestrian protection capability deteriorates as the bonnet cannot yield during impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed with dynamic characteristics through the load-dependent barrier. During normal operation, the barrier maintains a secure locked position with high reliability. During pedestrian impacts, the barrier allows controlled movement by deforming or breaking, enabling the bonnet to yield and reducing pedestrian injuries. This dynamic behavior adapts the locking mechanism to different load conditions
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional components are added for pedestrian protection, then the pedestrian protection capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pedestrian protection function into the existing locking device components, specifically the catch hook with load-dependent barrier. By integrating both locking and protection functions into a single component structure, the need for additional separate components is eliminated, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining pedestrian protection capability
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 solution effectively reduces pedestrian injuries by allowing the bonnet to yield during impacts, while maintaining a cost-effective and compact design with the additional function of safeguarding pedestrians, and preventing damage from collisions with the vehicle chassis.
Implementation Method 1
The catch hook (3) has a load dependent barrier (6) and the locking device (100) is designed such that a movement of the striker (4) is limited in a load dependent manner in the direction of the barrier on the intended closed position by the barrier (6) so that the striker (4) only submerges beyond the intended closed position in the case of an overload
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device for a motor vehicle bonnet, wherein the locking device comprises a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl for locking the rotary latch in a main latching position. Wherein the locking device also comprises a catch hook which can define an opening movement of a lock retainer in a secure position which is between an intended closed position and an intended open position after opening the locking mechanism, wherein the catch hook comprises a load dependent barrier, and the locking device is designed such that a movement of the lock retainer in the direction of the barrier is defined by the barrier dependent on the load in the intended locked position, such that the lock retainer only goes in further than the intended closed position when there is an overload. A further developed locking device with pedestrian protection can also be provided.