Motor Vehicle Door Lock External Motor Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door locks with integrated closing/opening devices face challenges due to the large size and weight of the motors, which occupy significant space and disrupt the compact design of the door lock mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The motor is attached externally to the L-shaped housing of the door lock, with its own housing serving as a counterweight and seal, allowing for a compact and balanced distribution of weight, and the locking mechanism is integrated within the lock holder L-leg, while the closing/opening device is housed in the motor L-leg, utilizing a gear mechanism with a pawl and drive lever for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the motor is integrated inside the housing of the motor vehicle door lock, then the closing/opening function is achieved, but the housing becomes large in volume and heavy in weight
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock system is divided into separate functional modules: the housing containing the locking mechanism, and the motor as an independent unit attached externally. This segmentation allows the housing to maintain its original compact dimensions while the motor provides the necessary closing/opening function from the outside.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of integrating the motor within the housing volume (3D integration), the motor is mounted externally on the housing surface (2D attachment). This dimensional transition from internal integration to external mounting resolves the volume conflict while maintaining functional connectivity through the drive lever mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the motor is integrated inside the housing of the motor vehicle door lock, then the closing/opening function is achieved, but the weight of the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the housing structure and the motor unit, with the motor mounted externally. This separation prevents the motor's weight from being added to the housing, keeping the housing weight minimal while still achieving the closing/opening function through external actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that transmits the motor's rotational motion to the locking mechanism. This intermediary allows the motor to be positioned externally, preventing its weight from being incorporated into the housing while maintaining functional connectivity.
3Volume of moving object
If the motor is mounted externally on the housing, then the housing volume is reduced, but the motor attachment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor's own housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the motor components and simultaneously acts as a mounting base for attachment to the door lock housing. This multi-functionality simplifies the attachment process by eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or additional structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor housing provides its own mounting interface and structural support, making the attachment process self-contained. The motor unit attaches to the door lock housing using its own housing structure, reducing the need for additional attachment components and simplifying the overall assembly process.
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 configuration results in a cost-effective, compact, and balanced motor vehicle door lock design that maintains the same width as the lock case, ensuring easy installation between door panels and providing reliable operation with minimized dirt exposure to the closing pawl.
Implementation Method 1
the motor on the motor L-leg acts as a counterweight compared to the lock holder L-leg
Implementation Method 2
The motor engages through this housing opening with its output shaft on the one hand into the interior of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock comprising a locking mechanism (3, 4) and an closing/opening device (10 to 18) that consists essentially of a motor drive (10 to 12) and a transmission device (13 to 16) comprising at least one transmission lever (15, 16) that forms, together with at least one reinforcing plate (20), a bearing base (15, 16, 20, 21), which has to a large extent a U-shape when viewed from the side, for the entire transmission device (13 to 16).