Motor Vehicle Door Lock Spring Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle door locks experience creaking noises due to friction from springs, which existing lubricants fail to consistently suppress across varying temperatures and moisture conditions, leading to ineffective noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A torsion spring with a coiled section abutting a damping element's arcuate segment, made of elastomeric plastic, ensures frictional interaction, preventing relative movement and diameter changes, thus suppressing creaking noises without additional assembly steps and maintaining effectiveness across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If lubricant is applied to the spring to reduce friction, then creaking noises are suppressed, but the solution is unreliable under varying temperature and moisture conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical lubrication system with a mechanical damping system. Instead of relying on lubricant films that degrade under temperature and moisture variations, the invention uses a viscoelastic damping element that mechanically absorbs friction energy through material deformation. The damping element is pressed against the spring windings, creating controlled friction that converts creaking vibrations into heat energy, thereby eliminating noise without relying on chemical lubricants.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If damping element is added to suppress spring noises, then creaking is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the damping function with the existing spring assembly by integrating the damping element directly onto the spring structure. The damping element is positioned to contact the spring windings and is retained by simple features on the spring or housing, combining noise suppression with the existing mechanical components rather than adding a separate complex damping system.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element acts as an intermediary component between the spring and the surrounding housing structure. It mediates the frictional interactions by providing a controlled contact surface that absorbs vibrations, transforming the direct metal-to-metal or metal-to-plastic friction into a controlled energy dissipation mechanism that protects the surrounding plastic components from noise amplification.
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 effectively suppresses creaking noises by ensuring even movement and consistent friction damping of the spring windings, protecting the latch housing from dirt and water, and maintaining performance over decades without additional assembly or lubricant application.
Implementation Method 1
the coiled section of the spring and/or the individual windings of the coiled section of the spring glide along the arcuate segment with friction
Implementation Method 2
the damping element for the locking mechanism component and/or the locking pin generally ensures that movements of the locking mechanism component and/or the locking pin are damped
Implementation Method 3
made of elastomeric plastic, ensures frictional interaction, preventing relative movement and diameter changes
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a locking mechanism substantially comprising a catch and pawl. Furthermore, a locking pin is provided for interaction with the locking mechanism. Furthermore, there is a damping element for a locking mechanism component and/or the locking pin. Finally, the configuration includes at least one spring which is assigned to the locking mechanism. According to the invention, the spring at least partially abuts the damping element.