Deadlatch Device Non-Protruding Pin Spring Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current door locks in motor vehicles face issues such as reduced minimum aperture width due to protruding pins, hindrance to passage, and difficulty in opening when the return spring breaks, along with non-compliance with safety regulations regarding longitudinal and transverse loads.

Innovation Solution

A deadlatch device with a latch apparatus that uses non-protruding hooking pins, a rotating closing lever with elastic means, and a plastic strip to facilitate pin exit, allowing door opening even with broken return springs, while meeting safety regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protruding pin is used for locking, then the locking mechanism is simple and effective, but the minimum aperture width is reduced and it hinders passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking effectivenessVSAvoidpassage through threshold
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the protruding pin from the locking mechanism and replaces it with a non-protruding hooking pin that is integrated into the door frame structure. This extraction of the problematic protruding element eliminates the hindrance to passage while maintaining the locking function through the hooking pin's engagement with the latch apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the pin protrude from the door frame to engage the latch, the invention inverts the approach by having the pin remain embedded in the door frame and use a hooking mechanism that engages the latch from the opposite direction. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining locking effectiveness without the protruding element that causes passage difficulties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If a traditional locking mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the door cannot be opened if the return spring breaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism structureVSAvoiddoor opening capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a manual override mechanism that is prepared in advance to enable door opening even when the return spring fails. This preliminary action feature ensures that if the return spring breaks, the door can still be opened by manually actuating the override mechanism, thereby maintaining reliability without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a manual override mechanism as an intermediary between the user and the locked door. This intermediary component provides an alternative path for opening the door that does not depend on the return spring, thereby ensuring door opening capability remains reliable even when the primary spring mechanism fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the door is designed to meet safety regulations, then longitudinal and transverse load resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload resistanceVSAvoidclosing system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the closing system into distinct functional segments: a latch apparatus for locking, a closing lever with elastic means for automatic closing, and a manual override mechanism for emergency opening. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively meeting the longitudinal and transverse load resistance requirements of safety regulations without unnecessary complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables smooth door operation and compliance with safety standards by allowing door opening even with broken return springs and ensuring resistance to longitudinal and transverse loads.

Implementation Method 1

elastic means associated with said closing 11 and hooking 12 levers and adapted to convey a resisting moment to the rotation thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2538003B1A deadlatch device for doors of various types, comprising means adapted to prevent locking in a closed position in the event of breakage
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 FAP SRL
  • EP2538003B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a deadlatch device for doors of various types, comprising a latch apparatus such as to allow the door to be closed and opened even in the presence of hooking pins of the non-protruding type, fixed to the upright of the door, or also in the presence of the upright only, strengthened in the hooking area. The device according to the present invention is further equipped with means adapted to allow it to open even in the event of breakage of the return spring of the closing lever thereof. Finally, the device according to the present invention is adapted to support longitudinal and transverse loads and comply with the current safety regulations concerning resistance to longitudinal load and transverse load.