Motor Vehicle Door Lock Actuation Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door locks with electric drives often experience pre-locking hooking issues, leading to delayed or prevented opening processes, accompanied by annoying noises and increased installation space requirements due to the need for additional components like blocking levers.
Innovation Solution
The electric drive transitions between a start phase and a holding phase based on signal flanks, ensuring smooth operation without interference, using a release lever to lift the pawl and incorporating a blocking lever to prevent erroneous current flows, thus avoiding pre-locking hooking and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking lever is added to prevent pre-locking hooking, then the reliability of the locking mechanism is improved, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking lever is integrated into the existing electric drive mechanism by utilizing the drive shaft as part of the blocking lever structure. The blocking lever is formed as a one-piece component that combines the drive shaft with the blocking elements, eliminating the need for separate blocking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking lever serves multiple functions: it acts as the drive shaft for the electric motor, provides blocking action to prevent pre-locking hooking, and interfaces with both the pawl and rotary latch mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system
2Reliability
If a blocking lever is added to prevent pre-locking hooking, then the reliability of the locking mechanism is improved, but the installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking lever is merged with the drive shaft, forming a compact integrated structure that occupies the same space as the existing electric drive components. This integration prevents the need for additional space that would be required for separate blocking components
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking lever is designed to nest within the existing door lock housing structure, utilizing available spaces between other components. The blocking elements are positioned to fit within the existing mechanical clearance zones, minimizing additional space requirements
3Productivity
If the electric drive operates continuously without phase control, then the productivity of the locking mechanism is improved, but pre-locking hooking occurs causing delays and noises
Solution Approach 1:
The electric drive operates in periodic phases: an acceleration phase where the drive is activated to move the pawl, followed by a holding phase where the drive is deactivated and the pawl is held in position by spring force. This periodic operation prevents continuous driving that would cause pre-locking hooking, eliminating noises and delays while maintaining efficient opening speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking lever is positioned in advance to engage with the pawl before the opening process begins. During the acceleration phase, the blocking lever prevents the pawl from engaging the rotary latch prematurely. This preliminary blocking action prevents pre-locking hooking before it can occur, ensuring smooth noise-free operation
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 ensures safe, efficient, and noise-free operation of the locking mechanism, reducing assembly and production costs while preventing pre-locking hooking and minimizing installation space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an electric drive (1, 2, 3) for actuating the locking mechanism
Implementation Method 2
pawl (4, 24) which is spring-loaded and can be engaged by the rotary latch (5, 25) in a locking process
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock and to a method for electrically actuating a locking mechanism in said type of motor vehicle door lock. Said motor vehicle door lock comprises a locking mechanism and an electric drive (1, 2, 3) for the locking mechanism. It also comprises at least one signal transmitter (8) for impinging upon the electric drive (1, 2, 3). According to the invention, a first flank (FS) and also a second flank (FE) of a signal (S) generated by the signal generator (8) are evaluated for controlling the electric drive (1, 2, 3).