Commercial Vehicle Door Lock Integrated in Cross Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locking systems for commercial vehicles, particularly box bodies, offer limited security and can compromise thermal insulation, as well as being vulnerable to manipulation and break-ins, with electric motor systems often requiring complex wiring and being difficult to integrate into the vehicle's structure.
Innovation Solution
The door locking system is integrated into a crossbar below the door, with an electric motor and locking element housed within, providing enhanced security and protection against manipulation, while avoiding the need for complex wiring and minimizing the risk of cold bridges by utilizing a C-profile crossbar that engages the latch receptacle in the closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door locking system with electric motor and locking bars is installed in commercial vehicles, then the door can be locked in the closed position, but the thermal insulation of the vehicle is compromised due to thermal bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is extracted from the door and relocated to the cross member. The locking receptacle remains in the door while the actuating mechanism (electric motor and locking element) is positioned in the cross member, separating the locking function from the door structure to eliminate thermal bridges in the door assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The cross member serves as an intermediary structure between the door locking system and the vehicle body. By positioning the locking mechanism in the cross member rather than directly in the door, thermal insulation is preserved while maintaining locking functionality through the receptacle-element engagement
2Reliability
If traditional locking bars with locks are used, then the door can be locked, but the security against break-ins is limited and the lock can be easily opened or forgotten
Solution Approach 1:
The manual lock mechanism is replaced with an electric motor-driven locking system. The electric motor provides more reliable and consistent locking force, and can be integrated with vehicle access control systems to prevent unauthorized opening while eliminating the vulnerability of traditional mechanical locks that can be picked or forgotten
Solution Approach 2:
The door locking system is merged with the cross member structure of the vehicle body. The locking element and electric motor are integrated into the cross member, creating a unified structural assembly that is more resistant to break-ins compared to separate locking bars
3Extent of automation
If an electric motor-driven locking system is installed, then the door can be controlled remotely and monitored, but the wiring becomes complex and installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the vehicle body, acts as a mounting platform for the electric motor and locking element, and serves as part of the door locking mechanism itself. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mounting structures and simplifies wiring integration with the vehicle's existing electrical system
4Reliability
If locking bars extend beyond the door, then the door can be locked from the top and bottom, but the system is vulnerable to manipulation and break-ins
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is extracted from the door and positioned in the cross member, removing the vulnerable external locking bars and replacing them with a recessed locking mechanism that is protected within the vehicle body structure while maintaining the locking function through the receptacle engagement
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Described and illustrated is a body (2), in particular a box body, of a commercial vehicle (1), in particular a truck, trailer or semi-trailer, with a door frame (10), a door (8) and a door locking system (17) for locking the door (8) in the closed position, wherein the at least one door (8) is held in the closed position in the door frame (10), wherein the door frame (10) has a cross member (13, 14) at least substantially below or above the door (8) in the closed position.wherein the door locking system (17) comprises at least one electric motor (24) and at least one locking element (25) which is adjustable by the electric motor (24) from a locking position that locks the door (8) in the closed position to a release position that allows the door (8) to open, and wherein the door (8) is associated with at least one locking receptacle (20) for receiving at least one locking element (25) of the door locking system (17). In order to ensure reliable protection against break-ins of the commercial vehicle without incurring significant disadvantages compared to conventional bodies without additional door locking systems, it is provided that the electric motor (24) and the locking element (25) are each at least partially received in the cross member (13, 14) in the release position.