Motor Vehicle Door Lock Crash Blocking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door locks with crash lock mechanisms often malfunction after an accident, making it difficult for emergency services to open the door, as the actuating lever system is blocked by high acceleration forces, leading to unreliable functionality and potential indifferent states.
Innovation Solution
A specially designed blocking element that interacts directly with the rotary latch of the locking mechanism, maintaining the blocking position until the actuating lever mechanism is activated again, ensuring the locking mechanism can be opened safely and reliably after a crash, without impairing the actuating lever system's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking element is used to block the actuating lever mechanism during high acceleration forces, then the door remains securely locked during an accident, but the actuating lever system becomes blocked and malfunctions after the accident
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed as a separate component that can independently engage and disengage from the locking mechanism. It is segmented into a blocking element proper and a interaction surface that interfaces with the locking mechanism, allowing it to function as an independent crash lock system rather than blocking the entire actuating lever system.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking function is extracted from the actuating lever mechanism and implemented as a separate blocking element that acts directly on the locking mechanism. This separation allows the actuating lever system to remain functional while the blocking element provides crash protection by directly engaging the locking mechanism when acceleration forces occur.
2Reliability
If the blocking element acts on the actuating lever mechanism, then the door lock is secured during high acceleration forces, but the locking mechanism may assume indifferent functional states
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is pre-configured with a specific interaction surface that is designed to engage with a corresponding surface on the locking mechanism. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when acceleration forces occur, the blocking element will deterministically engage the locking mechanism in a specific, defined state rather than allowing it to assume any indifferent functional state.
Solution Approach 2:
The interaction surface on the blocking element acts as an intermediary that mediates between the acceleration forces and the locking mechanism. This intermediary surface ensures that the blocking element translates acceleration forces into a specific, defined engagement state with the locking mechanism, preventing indifferent functional states.
3Reliability
If the actuating lever system is blocked during high acceleration forces, then unintentional door opening is prevented, but emergency services cannot easily open the door after an accident
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is extracted from the actuating lever system and implemented as a separate blocking element that acts directly on the locking mechanism. This allows the actuating lever system to remain fully functional for emergency services while the blocking element provides crash protection by directly engaging the locking mechanism during accidents.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed to dynamically engage and disengage based on acceleration forces. During normal operation, it remains disengaged, allowing full functionality of the door lock. During accidents, it automatically engages to prevent unintentional opening, and after the accident, it can be easily disengaged by emergency services using the actuating lever system.
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 solution ensures the motor vehicle door remains securely locked during an accident but can be easily opened by rescue workers after the event, maintaining functional reliability and preventing undefined states, allowing the door to be released only when the actuating lever mechanism is re-engaged.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking lever can pivot about its pivot axis into a blocking position arresting the door handle or the transmission element by inertial force
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter of the present invention is a motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a pawl (1, 2) and an actuating lever mechanism (4) operating on the pawl (1, 2). Furthermore, there is a locking element (7, 8) which renders the actuating lever mechanism (4) ineffective when acceleration forces of a predetermined size occur, for example in an accident. According to the invention, the locking element (7, 8) which is deflected by the acceleration forces acts on the pawl. The locking element (7, 8) holds the pawl (1, 2) even after cessation of the actuating forces until the actuating lever mechanism (4) acts first of all again upon the pawl (1, 2).