Motor Vehicle Door Lock Emergency Opening Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle door locks do not provide a functionally reliable mechanical emergency opening mechanism without risking unwanted hood or door openings, especially when the on-board electrical system voltage is insufficient, and there is no convincing solution to prevent complete opening while driving.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle door lock with a handle mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism, featuring a locking element that can be queried by a sensor, allowing manual emergency opening while preventing unintentional complete opening, using a locking drive to block or release the handle based on vehicle speed and position, ensuring the catch hook is secured until the vehicle is stationary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a handle is provided for manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism, then emergency opening capability is improved, but the risk of unwanted hood or door opening while driving increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency opening capabilityVSAvoidunwanted opening while driving
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element transitions between locked and unlocked states based on dynamic conditions (vehicle motion vs. stationary). The control unit dynamically controls the locking drive to adjust the locking element's position according to whether the vehicle is moving or stopped, enabling emergency opening only when safe

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor detects the vehicle's motion state and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the locking element's position accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the handle is locked during driving but unlocked when the vehicle is stationary, preventing unwanted opening while maintaining emergency access capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the locking element is always unlocked to allow manual emergency opening, then ease of operation is improved, but safety during driving is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual emergency openingVSAvoidsafety during driving
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element's state is dynamically adjusted based on vehicle operation conditions. During driving, the control unit positions the locking element to block the handle. When the vehicle stops, the locking element moves to an unlocked position, enabling manual opening only when safe

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the locking drive is added to control the locking element, then safety is improved by preventing unwanted opening, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unwanted openingVSAvoidlocking drive mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element serves as an intermediary component between the handle and the locking mechanism. It mechanically blocks or releases the handle's connection to the locking mechanism, providing a simple yet effective control mechanism without requiring complex additional systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes existing components (sensor, control unit, locking drive) that are already part of the motor vehicle door lock system. The locking drive is integrated into the existing structure, and the locking element works together with the sensor feedback to automatically control its own positioning based on vehicle state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3807482B1Motor vehicle door lock
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 KIEKERT AG
  • EP3807482B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3807482B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3807482B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a body-side motor vehicle door lock and a bonnet-side or door-side locking bolt bracket (3), or vice-versa. Furthermore, at least one opening/retracting drive (4) for a locking mechanism (1, 2) and a handle (5) for manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism (1, 2) are provided in the motor vehicle door lock. According to the invention a locking element (13), the position of which is checked with the aid of at least one sensor (26), is associated with the handle (5).