Motor Vehicle Door Lock Actuating Lever Chain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle door locks lack a reliable mechanism for remote electrical opening and mechanical emergency opening, particularly in scenarios like crashes where manual operation is not feasible.

Innovation Solution

The actuating lever chain is designed to maintain a 'locked' position unless an emergency opening or crash occurs, at which point it transitions to 'unlocked', allowing mechanical opening by rescue personnel, and an additional drive ensures the generation of an opening signal for electrically opening the locking mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuating lever chain is kept in the 'locked' position to prevent unauthorized opening, then security is improved, but the ability to open the door mechanically in normal conditions is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidmechanical opening capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating lever chain is designed to be dynamically switchable between 'locked' and 'unlocked' positions. In normal operation, it remains in the 'locked' position to prevent mechanical opening. In emergency situations, it can be transferred to the 'unlocked' position to enable mechanical opening by rescue personnel, thus resolving the contradiction between security and emergency accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational state parameter of the actuating lever chain from 'locked' to 'unlocked' based on the situation. This parameter change allows the same mechanical component to serve dual purposes: maintaining security during normal operation and enabling emergency access when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If remote electrical opening is implemented without mechanical connection, then convenience is improved, but reliability in emergency situations is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote opening capabilityVSAvoidemergency opening reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating lever chain serves as an intermediary mechanism that can operate in two modes: mechanically connected for emergency opening and mechanically disconnected for remote electrical opening. This intermediary component allows the system to achieve both remote convenience and emergency reliability without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the actuating lever chain is mechanically connected to the locking mechanism, then mechanical opening is enabled, but unauthorized mechanical opening becomes possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical opening capabilityVSAvoidanti-theft security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by keeping the actuating lever chain in the 'locked' position during normal operation, which prevents any mechanical opening attempts. The mechanical connection to the locking mechanism is effectively blocked in advance, thwarting unauthorized opening before it can occur. In emergencies, this preliminary blocking is temporarily removed to allow legitimate mechanical opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP2951371B1Motor vehicle door lock
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 KIEKERT AG
  • EP2951371B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2951371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2951371B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The object of the invention is a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a locking mechanism, an actuating lever chain (12, 13, 14) and a drive (4, 5) for electrically opening the locking mechanism. According to the invention, an additional drive (7, 8) is provided, which optionally transfers the actuating lever chain (12, 13, 14) in its "locked" position and only then generates an opening signal for the drive (4, 5) for electrically opening the locking mechanism.