Bowden Cable Adjustment for Vehicle Door Lock Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical tolerances in motor vehicle door lock arrangements lead to the necessity of 'free travel' in Bowden cable arrangements, which is costly and inefficient, as it requires reserved space without providing additional functionality beyond tolerance compensation.
Innovation Solution
A Bowden cable arrangement with an adjustment device featuring coupling elements and a coupling mechanism that allows for adjustable cable strand length, utilizing a ratchet assembly and coupling springs to compensate for mechanical tolerances without altering the overall geometry, enabling easy adjustment without tools and high force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If free travel is reserved in the Bowden cable arrangement to compensate for mechanical tolerances, then the reliability of the door lock arrangement is improved, but the packaging space requirement increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cable strand length adjustable through a coupling mechanism with multiple coupling positions. Instead of reserving fixed free travel space, the system dynamically adapts to tolerance variations by allowing the cable length to be precisely adjusted to match actual component dimensions, thereby eliminating the need for excessive packaging space while maintaining reliable operation.
2Reliability
If free travel is reserved in the Bowden cable arrangement to compensate for mechanical tolerances, then the reliability of the door lock arrangement is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable cable length mechanism allows the system to adapt to tolerance variations without requiring costly precision manufacturing or excessive material reserves. By enabling precise adjustment of the cable strand length, the system achieves reliable operation with standard manufacturing tolerances, reducing material waste and manufacturing costs while maintaining door lock reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cable strand length is fixed, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to compensate for mechanical tolerances is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the cable strand length to be modified after assembly. This enables the system to compensate for mechanical tolerances in the door lock components without requiring expensive precision manufacturing or complex pre-adjustment procedures, achieving both cost-effectiveness and reliable tolerance compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be easily adjustable, potentially allowing users to perform the adjustment themselves during installation or maintenance without requiring specialized tools or expertise. This self-service capability reduces manufacturing and service costs while ensuring proper tolerance compensation.
4Reliability
If an adjustment device is added to the Bowden cable arrangement, then the ability to compensate for mechanical tolerances is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment device is segmented into distinct components: a first coupling element, a second coupling element, and a coupling mechanism with multiple coupling positions. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function and simplifies the overall design, making the adjustment mechanism easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain while providing effective tolerance compensation 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
This solution reduces the need for costly 'free travel' in Bowden cable arrangements by allowing precise adjustment of the cable strand length, ensuring accurate operation and flexibility in motor vehicle door lock systems while maintaining low packaging space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling spring for coupling engagement with the two coupling elements
Implementation Method 2
the coupling spring is in an engagement position and therewith in form fit engagement with both coupling elements
Implementation Method 3
The possibility of adjusting the length of the cable strand allows to compensate tolerances that occur in the components to be connected by the Bowden cable arrangement. As it is only the cable, which length is being adjusted, the rest of the geometry of the Bowden cable arrangement remains unchanged during adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A Bowden cable arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle door lock arrangement, wherein the Bowden cable arrangement has a cable strand and a cable conduit, and wherein an adjustment device is provided with a first coupling element and a second coupling element within the chain of operating forces of the cable strand and with a coupling mechanism. In some embodiments the coupling elements may be coupled to each other by the coupling mechanism in different coupling positions relative to each other in order to adjust the length of the cable strand.