Motor Vehicle Door Lock Freewheeling Crash Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door lock arrangements face challenges in crash safety due to unintended opening caused by crash-induced acceleration, which requires high force design in the force transmission chain and results in undesirable reaction times and potential component breakage.
Innovation Solution
A freewheeling crash concept is introduced, utilizing a coupling spring element in the force transmission chain to differentiate between crash and normal operation based on acceleration levels, allowing the door handle to freewheel during high accelerations and couple during normal operations, thus preventing unintended lock opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the force transmission chain is designed for exceptionally high forces to prevent component breakage during crash, then the reliability during crash is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission chain is divided into two separate sections (first and second force transmission chain sections) that can be decoupled during crash. This segmentation allows each section to be designed for normal operating forces rather than requiring the entire chain to withstand crash-level forces, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A crash coupling arrangement acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two force transmission chain sections. This intermediary includes a coupling element that can transition between coupled and decoupled states, allowing the system to handle high crash forces without requiring the entire force transmission chain to be designed for exceptionally high forces.
2Reliability
If the crash element is designed to block the pawl actuation lever during crash, then the crash safety is improved, but the reaction time increases due to the movement required before blocking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The crash coupling arrangement is pre-configured in a coupled state during normal operation. Upon crash detection, the coupling element rapidly transitions to a decoupled state, preventing the force transmission chain from transmitting crash forces to the pawl actuation lever. This preliminary positioning and rapid transition reduce the reaction time compared to systems where the blocking mechanism must first move into position.
3Strength
If the door handle is rigidly connected to the vehicle door, then the structural strength is improved, but the crash safety deteriorates due to unintended door opening from relative movement during acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the door handle and vehicle door is made dynamic through the crash coupling arrangement. During normal operation, the coupling element maintains a coupled state providing rigid connection for structural strength. During crash, the coupling element transitions to a decoupled state, allowing the door handle to freewheel and preventing unintended door opening, thus maintaining crash safety.
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
This solution enhances crash safety by preventing unintended door opening during crashes while maintaining a cost-effective design without excessive force on components, ensuring operational safety and reducing the risk of component breakage.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling element in the form of a coupling spring element (7) which can be brought into a coupling state, coupling the two force transmission chain sections (5a, 5b) to each other, and into a decoupling state, decoupling the two force transmission chain sections (5a, 5b) from each other
Implementation Method 2
The inertial characteristic of the coupling spring element (7) causes the coupling spring element (7) to fall into or to remain in the decoupling state, when the actuation movement surpasses a rapidity threshold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock arrangement with a motor vehicle lock (2), wherein a force transmission chain (5) is provided and wherein an actuation movement may be transmitted via the force transmission chain (5) for opening of the motor vehicle lock (2), which force transmission chain (5) is designed for a longitudinal force transmission along a longitudinal extension of movement (L), wherein a crash coupling arrangement (6) is provided between two force transmission chain sections (5a, 5b), which comprises a coupling element in the form of a coupling spring element (7).