Motor Vehicle Door Latch Segmentation via Coupling Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door latch systems require multiple latches for large or high doors, leading to complex mechanical connections and increased requirements for activation forces and lever ratios, making it difficult to efficiently open and close such doors without altering existing latch ratios.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door latch system with a primary latch and secondary latch connected via a Bowden cable and activation levers, allowing for identical activation paths and force distribution, using a coupling lever for cost-effective and play-free movement transmission, and a graded mandrel for adjustable engagement ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If multiple door latches (primary and secondary) are used for large or high doors, then sufficient closing force and sealing are improved, but the mechanical connection complexity and activation force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door latching system is segmented into multiple independent latches (primary latch and secondary latch) distributed at different positions on the door. Each latch operates independently with its own activation lever, allowing the closing force to be distributed across multiple points rather than concentrated at a single location, thereby reducing the mechanical complexity of the connection while maintaining sufficient overall closing force.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling lever is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the activation lever to the triggering lever. This coupling lever acts as a mediator that can selectively engage or disengage the connection between the activation lever and triggering lever, simplifying the mechanical path and reducing the complexity of direct mechanical connections while still enabling force transmission when needed.
2Force
If multiple door latches are connected mechanically, then sealing forces are improved, but the activation path requirements and tolerances become more difficult to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The activation system is segmented so that each latch has its own activation lever that can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows each latch to have its own optimized activation path without being constrained by the cumulative tolerances of a long mechanical connection chain, making it easier to meet activation path requirements while maintaining sufficient sealing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling lever serves as a mediator that can be selectively engaged or disengaged. When engaged, it transmits activation force; when disengaged, it breaks the mechanical connection. This intermediary mechanism provides tolerance compensation and allows the system to meet activation path requirements even with multiple latches, as the coupling lever can accommodate minor misalignments and tolerance variations.
3Force
If a mechanical connection between primary and secondary latch is created, then force distribution is improved, but the number of components and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling lever is designed with multi-functionality: it can connect the activation lever to the triggering lever for force transmission, it can be disengaged to break the connection, and it works with both the primary and secondary latch systems. This universal component reduces the need for separate dedicated connection mechanisms for each latch, thereby reducing the overall number of components while maintaining proper force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling lever acts as a versatile intermediary that can mediate force transmission in multiple configurations. Rather than requiring separate mechanical connections for each latch, the coupling lever provides a single, adaptable connection point that can serve both latches, reducing component count while maintaining force distribution capabilities.
4Force
If the coupling lever is always engaged, then force transmission is improved, but the ability to bolt the latch is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling lever is designed to be dynamically engageable or disengageable rather than permanently fixed. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to switch between two states: engaged for force transmission during normal operation, and disengaged for bolting operations. The locking lever provides the means to change the state of the coupling lever, enabling the system to adapt between force transmission and bolting modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling lever serves as a controllable intermediary that can be selectively activated or deactivated. When engaged, it transmits force; when disengaged, it allows bolting. The locking lever acts as a control mechanism for the intermediary coupling lever, enabling the system to switch between force transmission and bolting functions, thereby maintaining both capabilities without compromise.
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the invention is a motor vehicle door lock (1) comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least a lock pawl, a release lever (12), a first actuating lever (8), wherein the locking mechanism can be unlocked by means of the release lever (12) and wherein the release lever (12) can be actuated by means of the actuating lever (8). The invention is characterized in that a further motor vehicle door lock (2) is provided, wherein said further motor vehicle door lock (2) can be actuated by means of the first actuating lever (8).