Motor Vehicle Door Lock Layout for Accessible Emergency Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle locks with electromotive drives face issues with the reliability of emergency energy sources, which can become unavailable due to aging or discharge, especially when the main energy source fails, preventing the electromotive drive from functioning during emergencies.

Innovation Solution

The emergency energy source is positioned in the area of the inlet mouth for the locking mechanism, allowing for easy access and replacement via a detachable cover when the door is open, ensuring regular maintenance and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the emergency energy source is arranged inside the motor vehicle lock housing, then the emergency operation is ensured, but the replacement and maintenance of the emergency energy source becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency operation reliabilityVSAvoidemergency energy source replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The motor vehicle lock housing is divided into a first housing part and a second housing part that can be separated from each other. The emergency energy source is arranged in the second housing part, which can be detached from the first housing part. This segmentation allows the second housing part to be removed and replaced independently, making the emergency energy source accessible for maintenance while maintaining its protected position within the lock housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second housing part containing the emergency energy source can be completely extracted or detached from the first housing part. This extraction mechanism allows the emergency energy source to be removed from the lock housing for replacement without disassembling the entire lock mechanism, thus maintaining reliability while enabling easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the emergency energy source is arranged in an accessible location, then the replacement is simplified, but the protection of the emergency energy source from environmental factors is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency energy source accessibilityVSAvoidenvironmental protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lock housing is segmented into a first housing part that remains installed in the vehicle and a second housing part containing the emergency energy source that can be detached. When the second housing part is attached to the first, the emergency energy source is protected within the sealed housing structure. When detached for replacement, it is easily accessible. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second housing part acts as an intermediary between the emergency energy source and the external environment. When attached, it provides protection from environmental factors while allowing access through the detachable connection to the first housing part. This intermediary structure enables both protection and ease of replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12559997B1Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 KIEKERT AG

AI summary

A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with an electromotive drive and an electric emergency power source for actuating the drive in the event of an emergency. The emergency power source is arranged in the interior of a motor vehicle lock housing. According to the invention, the emergency power source is located in the region of an engagement opening for a locking mechanism.