Motor Vehicle Door Lock Inertial Blocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle door locks face issues with unintentional opening due to high acceleration forces during accidents, leading to 'bouncing' where the door can reopen before the pawl engages in the main catch, compromising safety features like side impact protection and airbags.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door lock mechanism featuring a rotary latch, pawl, and actuating lever system with a locking lever that blocks the mechanism during crashes and is elastically coupled to an actuating lever system, including a blocking unit with a blocking lever, transmission lever, and clutch lever, ensuring the locking mechanism remains engaged and preventing 'bouncing'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is designed to be simple and straightforward, then ease of manufacture and operation are improved, but the risk of unintentional opening during accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is pre-positioned to block the actuating lever system before an accident occurs. When acceleration forces exceed the predetermined threshold during a crash, the locking lever automatically engages to prevent the door handle from actuating the locking mechanism, thereby preventing unintentional opening before it can happen
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic coupling between the locking lever and actuating lever system is pre-configured with a predetermined deflection threshold. During normal operation, the locking lever follows the actuating lever system's movements. However, when abnormal acceleration forces occur, the elastic coupling allows the locking lever to remain in its blocking position while the actuating lever system moves, automatically preventing opening without requiring additional sensors or control systems
2Productivity
If the door closing speed is increased to improve productivity, then door closing time is reduced, but the risk of 'bouncing' and unintended opening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is elastically coupled to the actuating lever system through a spring mechanism that acts as a cushion. When the door is closed quickly, the elastic coupling absorbs the shock and prevents the locking lever from being forcefully moved to the open position, thereby preventing 'bouncing' while allowing rapid door closing
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 effectively prevents unintended door opening during crashes and 'bouncing' by maintaining the locking mechanism in a secure position, ensuring the door remains closed and preventing damage to safety features.
Implementation Method 1
the locking lever typically ensures that the actuating lever mechanism and consequently the locking mechanism are blocked and accordingly an associated motor vehicle door is not opened unintentionally due to its inertial forces
Implementation Method 2
the locking lever undergoes a deflection during normal operation of the actuating lever system
Implementation Method 3
a spring element (12) which is connected to the locking lever (10) and is prestressed for elastically coupling the locking lever (10) to the actuating lever system (4, 5, 6, 7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2) that essentially consists of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). Furthermore, an actuation lever assembly (4, 5, 6, 7) acts on the locking mechanism (1, 2). Finally, a locking lever (10) blocks the locking mechanism (1, 2) at least when acceleration forces of a given magnitude occur, e.g. during an accident (crash), said locking lever (10) being elastically coupled to the actuation lever assembly (4, 5, 6, 7). According to the invention, the locking lever (10) additionally controls a blocking unit (13, 14, 15) for the locking mechanism (1, 2).