Motor Vehicle Door Lock Emergency Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle door locks with emergency opening mechanisms, relying on shape memory alloys, permanent magnets, or piezoelectric elements, face reliability issues at extreme temperatures and aging, leading to inconsistent performance and high production costs, limiting their widespread adoption.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle door lock with a control element featuring an electric motor and a worm gear output element, controlled by sensors such as crash sensors, to differentiate between normal and emergency operation modes, ensuring reliable and cost-effective operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If shape memory alloys, permanent magnets, or piezoelectric elements are used as triggering means, then the door lock can automatically open in emergency situations, but the functional reliability deteriorates at extreme temperatures and during aging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic emergency openingVSAvoidfunctional reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces unreliable material-based triggering means (shape memory alloys, piezoelectric elements) with a proven mechanical system: a crash sensor that mechanically actuates the release of the actuating lever chain. This mechanical substitution eliminates temperature sensitivity and aging effects, ensuring reliable emergency opening functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple, robust crash sensor and mechanical release mechanism instead of expensive, temperature-sensitive materials. The mechanical components are designed to be simple and replaceable, focusing on proven reliability rather than sophisticated but fragile materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Extent of automation

If shape memory alloys, permanent magnets, or piezoelectric elements are used as triggering means, then automatic emergency opening is achieved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic emergency openingVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, specialized materials (shape memory alloys, piezoelectric elements) with inexpensive, readily available mechanical components. The crash sensor and mechanical release mechanism use standard automotive parts that are cost-effective to manufacture and assemble at scale.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex, expensive material-based triggering mechanism and replaces it with a simple mechanical system. By removing the need for specialized materials and complex control electronics, the production cost is significantly reduced while maintaining the automatic emergency opening function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the actuating lever chain is blocked in normal operation, then security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates in emergency situations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidemergency opening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic blocking mechanism where the control element can transition between blocked and released states based on crash sensor activation. In normal operation, the actuating lever chain is blocked for security; in emergency situations, the crash sensor automatically releases the block, enabling easy manual opening without compromising security during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary blocking of the actuating lever chain in normal operation to prevent unauthorized opening. The crash sensor is pre-configured to automatically counteract this blocking action when a crash is detected, ensuring that emergency opening becomes easily accessible when needed while maintaining security during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

The solution provides a reliable, long-lasting, and cost-effective motor vehicle door lock with increased functional reliability, allowing for secure normal operation and emergency opening without relying on temperature-sensitive materials, ensuring consistent performance over years.

Implementation Method 1

the control element is equipped with an electric motor having an output element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an electric motor having an output element... The output element is preferably a worm gear which meshes with the electric motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWorm gear mechanism: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentUS11661768B2Motor vehicle door lock

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 KIEKERT AG

AI summary

A motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a locking mechanism that consists essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl. Also, at least one actuating lever chain for opening the locking mechanism in an emergency is provided. In addition, a control element which blocks the actuating lever chain indirectly or directly in normal operation and releases it in the event of an emergency, is provided. The control element is equipped with an electric motor having an output element.