Motor Vehicle Door Lock Single Actuator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door locks with quick release functions are complex and costly, with functional reliability issues due to the independent actuation of locking and quick-release levers, and require significant constructive effort, especially in keyless entry systems where rapid unlocking is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door lock design where the motor drive directly actuates both the locking lever and the clutch lever to transition between 'unlocked' and 'locked' positions, eliminating the need for an additional quick-release lever and simplifying the structure by using a single actuating element with separate arrangements for each lever, allowing for linear adjustment of the clutch lever against spring force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a quick release lever is added to achieve rapid unlocking, then the unlocking speed is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the quick release lever and locking lever into a single integrated lever that performs both functions. The lever has a first end for quick release operation and a second end for locking operation, eliminating the need for separate components while achieving rapid unlocking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lever is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a quick release lever and a locking lever. By rotating the same lever about a common axis, the system achieves rapid unlocking without requiring additional specialized components.
2Reliability
If independent actuation arrangements are provided for locking lever and quick release lever, then the functional reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuation arrangements into a single integrated mechanism on the motor drive. The actuating element includes both a locking lever actuating arrangement and a quick release lever actuating arrangement that work together on the same lever, reducing constructive effort while maintaining reliable independent actuation capabilities.
3Device complexity
If the locking lever and quick release lever are pivoted about the same axis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the functional reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first end for quick release operation and a second end for locking operation. This segmentation allows each end to be actuated independently with appropriate forces while sharing a common pivot axis, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lever are optimized for different functions. The first end is designed for quick release with appropriate mechanical properties, while the second end is designed for locking with different mechanical properties, allowing each region to perform its specific function reliably despite the shared axis.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock whose basic design comprises a locking mechanism, at least one locking lever (1), at least one motive drive (10, 11, 12), and a coupling lever (2). The coupling lever (2) joins a handle (3) to a locking mechanism in the unlocked position thereof in order to open said locking mechanism while separating the handle (3) from the locking mechanism in the locked position thereof. The motive drive (10, 11, 12) acts directly upon the locking lever (1) and the coupling lever (2) to transfer both at least into the unlocked and the locked functional position thereof. In order to do so, the motive drive (10, 11, 12) is provided with a positioning element (11) that encompasses an actuating assembly (12) for the locking lever and an actuating assembly (15) for the coupling lever (15).