Motor Vehicle Door Lock Integrated Coupling Lever

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle door latch systems require multiple components and complex constructions to effectively latch large or sliding doors, which increases weight and cost, and lacks a simple and cost-effective method to activate additional latches.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle door latch with a locking mechanism featuring a catch, pawl, triggering lever, and coupling levers where the first coupling lever accommodates a second coupling lever on a common pivoting axis, allowing indirect unlocking and activation of an additional latch using a single activation lever, reducing the number of components and simplifying the construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate coupling levers and bearings are used to activate additional latches, then the additional latch can be activated, but the number of components increases and the construction becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation of additional latchVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the first coupling lever and second coupling lever into a single integrated coupling lever structure. The first coupling lever (13) and second coupling lever (14) are merged into one piece that pivots on a common axis, eliminating the need for separate bearings and reducing the total component count while maintaining the ability to activate both the primary latch (1) and additional latch (2) independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated coupling lever serves multiple functions: it acts as both the first coupling lever (13) that transmits activation forces for the primary latch (1) and as the second coupling lever (14) that transmits activation forces for the additional latch (2). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate coupling levers and their associated bearings, directly reducing component complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate coupling levers and bearings are used to activate additional latches, then the additional latch can be activated, but the weight of the door latch increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation of additional latchVSAvoidweight of door latch

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components (first coupling lever, second coupling lever, and their respective bearings) into a single integrated coupling lever structure. This consolidation eliminates redundant material and reduces the overall weight of the door latch assembly while preserving the dual activation capability for both primary latch (1) and additional latch (2)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a simple and cost-effective construction is used, then the number of components is reduced, but the ability to activate additional latch may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidactivation of additional latch

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated coupling lever is designed with multiple functional zones: a first interaction zone (13a) that engages with the triggering lever (12) for primary latch activation, and a second interaction zone (14a) that engages with the second activation lever (5) for additional latch activation. This multi-functional design ensures that reducing component count does not compromise the ability to independently activate either latch

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If separate bearings are used for each coupling lever, then proper rotation is ensured, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation of coupling leverVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates the bearing requirements for both the first coupling lever (13) and second coupling lever (14) into a single bearing arrangement on a common pivoting axis. This reduces the number of bearings needed, simplifies manufacturing, and lowers cost while still ensuring reliable rotation for both coupling lever functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10927572B2Motor vehicle door lock

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 KIEKERT AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock (1) which comprises a locking mechanism having: a rotary latch and at least one pawl; a release lever (12); a locking device (21), the release lever (12) cooperating with the locking device (21) via a coupling lever (13); and an actuating lever (8), the locking mechanism being at least indirectly unlockable by means of the actuating lever (8). An additional motor vehicle door lock (2) is provided, and said vehicle door lock (2) can be actuated via a second coupling lever (14) and by means of the actuating lever (8), the first and the second coupling lever (13, 14) having a common pivot axis (15).