Vehicle Door Locking Mechanism with Eccentric Pin and Sensor Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking mechanisms for sliding doors in vehicles are prone to causing injuries due to complex and error-prone emergency interruptions, which can lead to jamming if sensor devices fail.

Innovation Solution

A locking mechanism with a start-stop control device that queries power consumption and stops the drive if a threshold is exceeded, combined with an optical or pressure-sensitive detection system to prevent door closure when obstacles are detected, and a locking pin designed as an eccentric for secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor devices are used for emergency interruption, then safety is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to sensor failure and jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidjamming
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a monitoring device as an intermediary between the sensor and the control system. This monitoring device independently verifies sensor signals and can detect sensor failures, preventing false emergency interruptions or failure to interrupt when needed. The monitoring device acts as a mediator that filters and validates sensor inputs before they trigger the emergency release mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through the monitoring device that continuously checks sensor functionality and signal validity. When the sensor detects an obstacle, the monitoring device verifies this signal before triggering the emergency release. This feedback loop ensures that only valid obstacle detections trigger the release mechanism, preventing jamming from false signals while maintaining safety from true obstacles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If complex emergency interruption mechanisms are used, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device performs self-verification of sensor signals and can detect its own operational status. The system monitors itself for proper functioning, reducing the need for additional complex external monitoring systems. The control unit integrates the monitoring function, allowing the system to self-regulate and reduce overall complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring device is integrated with the control unit, combining multiple functions into a single control system. Rather than having separate independent monitoring and control systems, the patent merges them into one integrated control unit that handles both normal operation and emergency interruption logic, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining safety functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual emergency release is provided, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element serves multiple functions: it can manually release the locking mechanism for emergency opening, and it can also be actuated by the automated emergency release mechanism when sensors detect obstacles. This multi-functional design allows the same component to handle both manual and automated emergency release, reducing the need for separate mechanisms and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Prevents injuries by ensuring safe door closure without jamming, using a start-stop control device and detection systems to interrupt the drive in case of obstacles, and a spring-loaded locking body for secure engagement.

Implementation Method 1

the locking pin is designed as an eccentric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP2952659B1Locking mechanism
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 WIETMARSCHER AMBULANZ & SONDERFAHRZEUG
  • EP2952659B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2952659B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2952659B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking mechanism (10) for a door (16) in a frame (18). The locking mechanism (10) comprises a base body (12) with a locking pin (28), a mounting assembly (14) with a locking body (30) which engages the locking pin (28) for locking. Actuating means (32) serve to lock and unlock the locking body (30). A pulling mechanism (40) pulls the door (16) into the frame (18). For this purpose, a drive (44) is provided which actuates the pulling mechanism (40). A start-stop control device (42) for the drive (44) is coupled to the actuating means (32).