Motor Vehicle Door Latch Inertial Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door locks fail to maintain functionality and safety over years due to complex designs and potential malfunctions, especially during accidents where high acceleration forces can lead to unintentional door opening.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door lock design where a blocking lever moves relative to the actuating lever system during normal operation, and upon exposure to high acceleration forces, the locking lever is fixed in a deflected position by a blocking means, preventing the actuating lever system from functioning, using a torsion spring with a bearing and holding arm to ensure the locking lever remains in its deflected state until released.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking lever is fixed in its deflected position by a blocking means, then the door remains closed during accidents, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever automatically engages with the blocking means under acceleration forces without requiring external control systems. The mass of the locking lever itself serves as the actuating mechanism, eliminating the need for sensors, actuators, or control electronics, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable accident locking
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful acceleration forces during an accident are converted into a beneficial locking action. The inertial force generated by the locking lever's mass during deceleration automatically triggers the engagement with the blocking means, transforming the accident's kinetic energy into a safety-locking mechanism
2Reliability
If the locking lever performs a relative movement during normal operation, then corrosion and malfunction risks are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed to perform dynamic relative movements during normal door operation rather than remaining statically fixed. This dynamic motion prevents corrosion by ensuring continuous movement between contact surfaces, while the movement is achieved through the existing door operation mechanics without adding separate actuation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The functional movement of the locking lever during normal operation is merged with the door opening/closing operation. The same mechanical movements that occur during normal door use also serve to prevent corrosion, eliminating the need for separate corrosion-prevention mechanisms
3Reliability
If a blocking means is added to fix the locking lever in deflected position, then accident safety is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and then assembled to the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using standard manufacturing processes without requiring complex integrated tooling or specialized assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking means serves as a simple intermediary element that mediates between the locking lever and the housing. It provides the blocking function through a straightforward geometric engagement (such as a cam surface or latch) that can be manufactured using conventional machining or molding processes
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
Ensures the door remains closed during accidents and maintains functionality over years without risk of corrosion or malfunction, allowing the door to be opened only from the inside, ensuring safety and simplicity in design.
Implementation Method 1
In the event of a crash, the locking member moves into an effective locking position due to the inertia of its mass
Implementation Method 2
using a torsion spring with a bearing and holding arm to ensure the locking lever remains in its deflected state until released
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door latch, comprising a locking mechanism, an operating lever unit (2, 3) that operates on the locking mechanism, and a locking lever (4), which makes the operating lever unit (2, 3) mechanically ineffective when acceleration forces of a specified magnitude occur, for example during an accident, due to the deflection of the locking lever as a result of the acceleration forces, wherein a blocking means (5) that fixes the locking lever (4) in the deflected position thereof is associated the locking lever (4).