Vehicle Door Locking Mechanism With Pyrotechnic Emergency Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated motor vehicle locking systems lack a mechanism to ensure safe emergency opening in the event of an accident, particularly when power failure occurs, as they rely solely on electrical components without mechanical redundancy.
Innovation Solution
A locking system incorporating a pyrotechnic actuator activated by a control unit to unlock the locking mechanism, ensuring safe emergency opening by mechanically engaging a pawl and a retaining lever to disengage the lock striker, even in the absence of power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical redundancy is eliminated to simplify the locking system, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability in emergency opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical redundancy system (mechanical connection between door handle and lock) with a pyrotechnic actuation system. The pyrotechnic actuator, triggered by a sensor detecting accident conditions, provides a non-mechanical method to unlock the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for mechanical redundancy while maintaining emergency opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the locking system from a purely mechanical/electrical system to a system that incorporates pyrotechnic activation. By detecting accident conditions through sensors and triggering pyrotechnic combustion, the system transitions to an alternative state that enables emergency unlocking without requiring mechanical redundancy.
2Ease of operation
If electrical operation is used to unlock the locking system, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability during power failure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical unlocking system with a pyrotechnic actuation system. When power failure occurs during an accident, the pyrotechnic actuator, triggered by a sensor, provides a non-electrical method to unlock the locking mechanism, ensuring operation independence from the power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The pyrotechnic actuator serves as an intermediary between the sensor detection and the unlocking action. It translates the accident condition signal into a mechanical unlocking action through pyrotechnic combustion, providing a reliable bridge that works independently of the electrical power supply.
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
Enables secure occupant protection and safe emergency vehicle egress by mechanically unlocking the locking system without mechanical redundancy, using a pyrotechnic actuator to overcome power failures during accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic actuator (6), wherein the pyrotechnic actuator can be activated by means of the control unit
Implementation Method 2
Pyrotechnic actuators work with propellant charges that act upon a cylinder and move a piston to raise the hood
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle locking system having a locking mechanism with a rotary catch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary catch can be latched in at least one latching position by means of the pawl in order to hold a lock striker; a control unit; and a pyrotechnic actuator, wherein the pyrotechnic actuator can be activated by means of the control unit, and the locking mechanism can be unlocked by means of the pyrotechnic actuator.