Door Closing Device Priority Opening Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door closing devices for motor vehicles face safety risks due to the potential for finger trapping during half-opening, and existing solutions to prioritize opening over closing are either expensive or complex, requiring additional components and mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A door closing device with a release member and control element that allows for priority opening without adding a complex disengagement mechanism, utilizing a release lever and elastic return to transition between force transmission and disengagement states, driven by a control element connected to the door's opening transmission element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a release device is added to allow instantaneous release for safety, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The release member is integrated into the existing cable-driven closing mechanism, sharing the cable path and structural space. The release member occupies a transmission state where it is immobilized on the frame, allowing the drive cable to drive the bolt, and a disengagement state where it is free to move, disconnecting the cable from the bolt. This merging approach adds safety functionality without creating a completely separate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control element is connected to an existing opening transmission element of the door, allowing the same control mechanism to serve both opening and release functions. The release member works together with the existing cable system to provide both closing assistance and emergency release capabilities, making the system multi-functional rather than adding dedicated separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If existing solutions disengage the actuator internally to prioritize opening, then opening priority is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening priorityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the actuator internally to disengage, the invention extracts the release function to a separate release member that operates independently. The release member can be disengaged from the cable path mechanically, removing the need for complex internal actuator modifications and reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining opening priority functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If existing solutions disengage the kinematic chain to prioritize opening, then opening priority is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening priorityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The release member dynamically transitions between two states: a transmission state where it is immobilized on the frame and allows cable-driven bolt movement, and a disengagement state where it is free to move relative to the frame and disconnects the cable from the bolt. This dynamic state change provides opening priority without requiring multiple static components or complex disengagement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3679210B1Device for closing a door with priority opening for an openable body section of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
  • EP3679210B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3679210B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (14) for closing a door with priority opening for an openable body section of a motor vehicle, comprising a bolt (16), a lever (20) for driving the bolt (16), a driving cable (36) provided to be pulled by an actuator (50) in order to drive the bolt (16) into the closed position thereof, and a curved sheath (64) that houses the cable (36) and extends from an outlet sheath stop (60) until an inlet sheath stop (62), characterised in that it comprises a disengaging member (52) which supports the outlet sheath (60) and which is designed to occupy a disengaging state in which the disengaging member (52) and the outlet sheath stop (60) are free to move with respect to the frame, so that the driving cable (36) is no longer capable of moving the bolt (16).