Motor Vehicle Door Lock with Crash-Responsive Locking Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door lock systems fail to balance crash safety with the need for immediate access after a crash, as they often unintentionally block the door latch, preventing occupants from being freed promptly.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door lock mechanism that uses a locking lever to disable the actuating lever mechanism during crashes, ensuring the door remains closed until the crash forces dissipate, and then automatically re-enables the mechanism to allow manual opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door lock blocks the actuating lever mechanism during crashes, then crash safety is improved, but the door cannot be opened immediately after the crash
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed to dynamically change its state based on the occurrence of crash forces. During a crash, the locking lever deflects to block the actuating lever mechanism, providing crash safety. After the crash, when normal forces are applied, the locking lever returns to its original position, automatically enabling door opening. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between crash safety and post-crash accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its mechanical state parameters in response to force conditions. The locking lever transitions between blocked and unblocked positions based on the magnitude and direction of applied forces. This parameter change allows the door lock to adapt its function according to whether the vehicle is experiencing normal operation or a crash, thereby providing both crash safety and post-crash accessibility.
2Reliability
If the locking lever permanently blocks the actuating lever mechanism, then crash safety is improved, but the door remains inaccessible after the crash
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed with dynamic blocking capability rather than permanent blocking. It automatically engages during crashes to prevent unintended door opening, then automatically disengages when normal forces are applied, allowing immediate door opening after the crash. This dynamic behavior eliminates the time loss associated with permanent blocking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever system is self-regulating and does not require manual intervention to switch between blocked and unblocked states. The system automatically detects the operational condition through the forces applied and adjusts its blocking state accordingly, providing both crash safety and rapid post-crash access without additional time for manual operation.
3Reliability
If the actuating lever mechanism is permanently disabled, then crash safety is improved, but the door cannot be opened under normal conditions after the crash
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever provides dynamic adaptation of the door lock's blocking function. During crashes, it activates to block the actuating lever mechanism for safety. After the crash, when normal forces are applied, it automatically deactivates, restoring full door opening capability. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between crash safety and post-crash versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its functional parameters based on operational conditions. The locking lever transitions between blocked and unblocked states in response to force parameters, allowing the door lock to adapt its behavior according to whether the vehicle is experiencing normal operation or a crash. This parameter change enables both crash safety and post-crash door opening capability.
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 enhanced crash safety while allowing immediate access to the vehicle interior after a crash, preventing unintentional door opening and ensuring the door can be opened manually once the crash forces have subsided, thus aiding occupants.
Implementation Method 1
considerable inertia forces act upon the respective motor vehicle door lock, causing the catch or the entire door lock to fail
Implementation Method 2
a return spring (8) assigned to the locking lever (7)... ensures that the locking lever (7) returns to its normal position
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle door lock is provided with a catch with an actuating-lever mechanism which acts on the catch. There is also a locking lever which, together with the actuating lever, renders the actuating-lever mechanism inactive when accelerating forces of predetermined magnitude occur, for example in the event of a crash. The actuating lever and locking lever disable the actuating-lever mechanism mechanically, as a result of the accelerating forces occurring, by associated deflection. Following dissipation of the accelerating forces, the actuating lever and locking lever reconnect the actuating-lever mechanism.