Vehicle Door Lock Spring Plate Damping Creaking Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door locks with rotary latches and pawls often experience noise issues, particularly 'creaking,' due to relative movements between the rotary latch and locking bolt, which can lead to compressive stresses and frictional forces during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A spring plate made of spring steel is integrated into the lock mechanism, which absorbs door movements perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel, damping vibrations and eliminating creaking noises by encasing the transverse bolt and enhancing pressure forces to secure the door in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary latch and pawl mechanism is used to secure the door, then the door can be reliably locked and accidental opening is prevented, but relative movements between the rotary latch and locking bolt cause compressive stresses and frictional forces leading to creaking noises
Solution Approach 1:
A spring plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the rotary latch and the locking bolt. This spring plate absorbs relative movements and vibrations, preventing direct contact and friction between the rotary latch and locking bolt, thereby eliminating creaking noises while maintaining the reliable locking function of the rotary latch and pawl mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate changes the mechanical parameters of the locking system by introducing elasticity and compliance. It transforms rigid direct contact into flexible indirect contact, allowing the system to accommodate thermal expansion, contraction, and vibrations without generating noise, while preserving the fundamental locking reliability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If rubber or plastic dampers are used to cushion the locking bolt, then noise is reduced, but high temperature dependence and additional openings in the lock housing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the damping function from separate rubber or plastic damper components and integrates it directly into the spring plate itself. The spring plate is made from the locking bolt material and performs both structural support and noise damping functions, eliminating the need for separate dampers and additional openings in the lock housing
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support for the locking bolt, absorbs vibrations and noises, and compensates for thermal expansions. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate rubber or plastic dampers and reduces the overall device complexity
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a spring plate is used to dampen movements, then noise is reduced and device complexity is lowered, but the spring plate must effectively restrict door assignments in the Z direction
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to be compliant in the Z direction (perpendicular to door travel) to absorb vibrations and noises, while maintaining sufficient rigidity to restrict unwanted door movements. The spring plate's elastic properties enable it to dynamically adapt to operational forces while maintaining control
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 spring steel plate effectively reduces or eliminates noise generation by immobilizing the door and reducing tool costs and material complexity, while simplifying assembly and water management by eliminating the need for additional openings and components.
Implementation Method 1
A spring plate made of spring steel is integrated into the lock mechanism, which absorbs door movements perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel, damping vibrations and eliminating creaking noises
Implementation Method 2
the spring plate encompassing the transverse bolt when the lock is in the closed position... increases the pressure forces in the area of the bends on the cross bolt of the striker bar
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A lock is provided especially for a door (2) or flap of a motor vehicle. Said lock has a lock housing (3) and a locking mechanism having a rotary latch (4) and a pawl, wherein the rotary latch (4) is arranged pivotably about an axis (22) and interacts with a locking bow (9), which is assigned to the bodywork (8), during the opening and closing of the door (2). At least one spring plate (15) which is oriented substantially parallel to the rotary latch (4) and surrounds the locking bow (9) in the locking position of the lock is arranged in the lock inlet region of the lock housing (3).