Motor Vehicle Lock With Common-Axis Lever Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks require significant space and weight due to complex kinematics and multiple axes for actuation, complicating assembly and increasing the size of the lock mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lock design with a pawl, release lever, and actuating lever mounted on a common rotational axis, utilizing a complementary connecting geometry, such as toothing, to transmit movement efficiently and compactly, eliminating the need for cable constructions and reducing installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional electric opening mechanism with multiple axes and lever arrangements is used, then sufficient actuation forces can be transmitted, but the space required and weight of the lock increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuating lever and release lever onto a single axis of rotation, merging two previously separate rotational movements into one. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex multi-axis lever arrangements and cable drives, significantly reducing the space required while maintaining the ability to transmit sufficient actuation forces from the electric motor to the pawl
Solution Approach 2:
The single axis of rotation serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the actuating lever for force application, accommodates the release lever for pawl actuation, and provides the mounting point for the electric motor. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanical components and assemblies that would otherwise be required for each function
2Reliability
If complex kinematics with multiple axes and lever arrangements are used, then reliable pawl actuation is achieved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the actuating lever and release lever onto a single axis, the patent simplifies the kinematic chain from multiple interconnected axes to a single rotational movement. This reduction in kinematic complexity maintains reliable pawl actuation while eliminating the need for complex lever arrangements and cable drives that increase assembly difficulty
3Force
If traditional lever arrangements with large lever arms are used, then sufficient actuation forces are achieved, but the weight of the lock components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidation of actuating and release levers onto a single axis eliminates redundant mechanical components and large lever arms. The integrated design reduces the total mass of moving parts while maintaining the necessary actuation force through direct rotational transmission from the electric motor to the pawl
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 design achieves a compact and lightweight lock mechanism that can be easily assembled and operated with low actuation forces, while providing secure and quiet operation.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-motor drive unit for actuating the release lever, and wherein the drive unit is formed at least from an electric motor and a gear stage
Implementation Method 2
the gear stage has an actuating lever for acting on the release lever
Implementation Method 3
at least the actuating lever and the release lever engage with each other by means of a complementary connecting geometry, so that a movement of the actuating lever can be transmitted to the release lever
Implementation Method 4
the pawl and the release lever, as well as the actuating lever, are pivotably mounted in the motor vehicle lock about a common, single rotational axis
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (10), in particular a motor vehicle door lock , comprising a locking mechanism (11), which includes a rotary latch (12) and a pawl (13), in particular a single pawl (13), the rotary latch (12) being able to be latched into at least one latch position (I) by means of the pawl (13), the motor vehicle lock (10) further comprising a rotatable triggering lever (15) which allows the locking mechanism (11) to be moved from the at least one latch position (I) into an open position (II), and comprising an electromotive drive unit (16) for actuating the triggering lever (15), the drive unit (16) consisting at least of an electric motor (17) and a transmission stage (18) that includes an actuation lever (19), wherein the pawl (13), the triggering lever (15) and the actuation lever (19) are accommodated in the motor vehicle lock (10) so as to be able to pivot about a common axis of rotation (R), wherein at least the actuation lever (19) and the triggering lever (15) engage with one another using a complementary connection geometry (20) such that a movement of the actuation lever (19) can be transmitted to the triggering lever (15).