Two-Part Vehicle Door Lock Release Lever for Blockage Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks with electromotive opening drives are prone to blockages due to incomplete reversal of the release lever, preventing subsequent door closure, and existing solutions are structurally complex and unsuitable for current applications.
Innovation Solution
A two-part release lever design comprising a pawl release lever and an actuating release lever, coupled or decoupled via a linearly displaceable coupling element, allows for easy decoupling and relative movement between the levers, ensuring the pawl can return to its home position despite blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single release lever is used with electromotive opening drive, then the structure is simple, but the release lever may be blocked and cannot return to home position
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever is divided into two separate levers: a pawl release lever and an actuating release lever. This segmentation allows each lever to perform its specific function independently, preventing blocking and ensuring reliable return to home position while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If a memory device with limit switch is added to indicate release lever position, then the reliability of position indication is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position indication function is extracted from a complex memory device and limit switch system. Instead, the two-part release lever design inherently provides position indication through its mechanical configuration and coupling element, eliminating the need for additional electronic memory components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the release lever is designed as a single integrated component, then manufacturing is easier, but it cannot be decoupled to prevent blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever is segmented into two manufacturable components (pawl release lever and actuating release lever) that can be produced separately and then assembled with the coupling element. This segmentation enables decoupling to prevent blocking while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly.
4Device complexity
If the two levers are always coupled together, then the structure is simple, but the pawl cannot return to home position if blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed to be linearly displaceable, allowing the coupling between the two levers to be dynamic rather than fixed. The coupling can be engaged during normal operation to transmit force, and disengaged when blocking occurs to allow the pawl to return to home position, providing adaptive functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism (1, 2) made up substantially of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). In addition, a release lever (3, 4) is provided to actuate the pawl (2) and to open the locking mechanism (1, 2). According to the invention, the release lever (3, 4) is designed in two parts with a pawl release lever (3) acting on the pawl (2) and an actuating release lever (4) interacting with, for example, an actuating lever and/or drive. Both levers (3, 4) are either coupled together or decoupled from each other via a linearly displaceable coupling element (6).