Motor Vehicle Door Lock Child Safety Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child safety devices in motor vehicle doors are difficult to determine in unfavorable lighting conditions, such as at night or in a garage, making it hard for drivers or adults to confirm if the device is activated, which affects operational safety.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a switching indicator light into the inlet mouth of the rotary latch of the motor vehicle door lock, which can be powered by the existing lock housing and uses low-energy LEDs, allowing easy detection of the child safety device's status, even in low light, with optional features like a light sensor for color indication and self-illuminating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a child safety device is integrated into the motor vehicle door lock, then the door can be secured against opening from inside, but the status of the child safety device cannot be easily determined in unfavorable lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a switching indicator light that changes color or illuminates to indicate the activation status of the child safety device. This optical signal allows users to determine the device status at a glance, even in dark conditions such as nighttime or garage environments, without requiring physical inspection of the device mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indicator light system that mediates between the child safety device mechanism and the user. Instead of requiring direct observation of the mechanical components, the indicator light serves as an intermediary signal that communicates the device status to the user, enabling remote and easy status determination.
2Ease of operation
If the switching indicator light is integrated into the inlet mouth of the rotary latch, then the status can be immediately confirmed near the operating lever, but the lock structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the switching indicator light directly into the inlet mouth of the rotary latch, combining the status indication function with the existing lock structure. This integration allows the indicator to be positioned close to the operating lever for easy visibility while utilizing the existing spatial and structural framework of the lock mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet mouth of the rotary latch serves multiple functions: it acts as the operational interface for the child safety device and simultaneously houses the switching indicator light. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate indicator components and simplifies the overall structure by reusing existing structural elements.
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
Enhances operational safety by allowing immediate confirmation of the child safety device's status without additional complex installations, improving usability and reliability, especially in dark conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating button is luminescent and is arranged above the inlet mouth of the rotary latch of the lock in the end face of the motor vehicle door
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The locked or unlocked position of a child lock (6) even in the dark, can be easily recognised when the actuation head (8) of the child lock (6) is provided with a switch identification light (15). Said switch identification light (15) comprises light-emitting diodes (16, 17) which illuminate the entire area around the child lock (6) such that even in unfavourable lighting conditions, the important component of the motor vehicle door (1) can be actuated safely and the switching position can be identified.