Vehicle Door Locking Device Crash Engagement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door locking devices fail to ensure door security and accessibility during a crash event, particularly when power is unavailable, as they cannot reliably differentiate between intentional and unintentional door opening requests and may not allow mechanical opening after a power failure.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a mechanical operative connection between the door handle and lock, featuring a coupling that is disengaged by default but engages via a coupling motor and electromagnetic actuator after a timer-activated crash signal, ensuring door lock release both electrically and mechanically, even without power, and includes redundant mechanisms for safety and remote control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling is kept disengaged during normal operation to allow electrical locking control, then door security and control precision are improved, but mechanical opening capability is lost in case of power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling's engagement state is made dynamic rather than static. During normal operation, the coupling remains disengaged to allow electrical control. Upon detecting a crash signal, the coupling automatically engages to enable mechanical opening. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting the coupling state to operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the coupling in the disengaged state during normal operation, and pre-preparing the mechanical connection path by engaging the coupling when a crash signal is detected. This ensures that the mechanical opening capability is activated in advance before power failure occurs, resolving the contradiction between electrical control and mechanical accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling is engaged by default to allow mechanical opening, then accessibility is improved, but electrical locking control and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling's engagement state transitions from static to dynamic. Instead of being engaged by default, the coupling remains disengaged during normal operation and only engages when a crash signal is detected. This dynamic behavior ensures electrical locking control maintains authority while mechanical opening capability is preserved when needed.
3Speed
If the coupling motor is activated immediately upon crash signal to engage the coupling, then mechanical opening capability is restored faster, but risk of unintentional opening during accident deformation is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a two-stage preliminary action: first, the timer device is activated immediately upon crash signal detection to prepare the system; second, after the predetermined time interval expires, the coupling motor is activated to engage the coupling. This staged approach allows the system to prepare for potential power failure while avoiding premature mechanical engagement that could occur during accident deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action through the predetermined time interval (e.g., 5 seconds) between crash signal detection and coupling engagement. This time delay creates a periodic waiting period that allows accident-related deformations to stabilize before mechanical engagement occurs, preventing unintentional opening while ensuring timely restoration of mechanical capability.
4Reliability
If a timer delay is introduced before coupling engagement to prevent unintentional opening, then door opening safety is improved, but time to restore mechanical opening capability is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The timer device is activated in preliminary action immediately upon crash signal detection, even before the time interval expires. During this interval, the system prepares all necessary components (power supply, coupling motor, electromagnetic actuator) so that when the interval expires, the coupling engagement can occur immediately without additional delay, minimizing time loss while maintaining safety.
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
Ensures the vehicle door remains locked during normal conditions but allows secure mechanical opening after a crash, maintaining accessibility even if power is interrupted, enhancing safety and redundancy through both electrical and mechanical paths.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling (22) which can be engaged and disengaged via a coupling motor (24)
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic actuating device (26), which is designed to engage the coupling (22) when the current is switched off
Implementation Method 3
a control unit (18), which can be connected to a crash sensor (28) for detecting an accident situation
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle locking device for a vehicle door includes a door lock that can be released electrically released and, parallel thereto, mechanically released via a mechanical operative connection to a first actuatable door handle. A coupling is arranged in the mechanical operative connection between the door handle and the door lock, which coupling can be engaged and disengaged via a coupling motor. A control unit is connected to a crash sensor for detecting an accident. In the normal operating state, the coupling is always in the disengaged state irrespective of opening requirements and, in addition to the coupling motor, can be engaged and disengaged by an electromagnetic actuating device that engages the coupling when the power is switched off. A first timer can be triggered by the signal of the crash sensor, such that the control unit, after the first timer elapses after receiving a crash signal, activates the coupling motor to engage the coupling. Accordingly, the mechanical active connection between the door handle and the lock is always disengaged, except in an accident situation.