Motor Vehicle Door Latch Spring-Assisted Opening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door latch mechanisms are prone to functional defects due to age-related wear and temperature effects, leading to incomplete opening paths and motor drive failures.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door latch design featuring a stop lever that interacts with a triggering lever to lift the pawl from the catch, allowing the locking mechanism to open in a spring-assisted manner without motorized assistance, ensuring functional operation even with increased door gaps and reducing reliance on motorized components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motorized drive is used to open the locking mechanism, then the opening function can be automated, but the system becomes susceptible to age-related wear, temperature effects, and motor drive failures
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides self-service by automatically storing energy during door closure and releasing it to open the locking mechanism when needed, eliminating the need for external motorized assistance and ensuring reliable operation independent of age or temperature effects
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element performs preliminary action by being pre-loaded with energy during the door closing process, so that when opening is required, the stored energy is already available to immediately actuate the opening mechanism without requiring motor intervention
2Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism requires full completion of the opening path, then the door can be fully opened, but the system fails when the opening path is not fully completed due to wear or temperature effects
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element applies preliminary anti-action by pre-storing opening energy that counteracts any incomplete opening movements caused by wear or temperature effects, ensuring the locking mechanism can still be reliably opened even if the motor drive does not complete the full opening path
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a coupling nose engages in a force-fitting manner into the coupling ratchet, then the motorized closure can be automatically interrupted for safety, but the system requires precise positioning and control
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element acts as an intermediary by providing a mechanical energy storage and release mechanism that simplifies the control of the locking mechanism, reducing the complexity of precise positioning and control requirements while maintaining safety through the existing force-fitting engagement
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 ensures reliable and functional operation by allowing the catch to pivot freely in a spring-assisted manner, reducing the risk of age-related and temperature-induced defects, and enabling easy manual operation, while maintaining a compact and functional configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element in the opening direction which acts on the catch in order to open the locking mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle door latch which is equipped with a locking bolt and a locking mechanism interacting with the locking bolt, including a catch and a pawl. The motor vehicle door latch possesses a stop lever pivotably located on the control lever, which interacts with a protrusion on the catch beyond a main ratchet position and a pre-ratchet position, whereby the protrusion corresponds to a third ratchet position with an increased distance of the locking bolt in respect of the main ratchet and pre-ratchet position compared to a catch axis. The stop lever impinges a triggering lever lifting the pawl from the catch in order to open the locking mechanism.