Motor Vehicle Door Lock Spring Storage Lever Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing motor vehicle door lock mechanisms suffer from reduced functional reliability due to indifferent movements of the storage element, particularly when opening and closing, which can lead to uncontrolled pawl movements and design inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle door lock design where the storage element is maintained in contact with at least one lock component via a spring throughout all functional states, utilizing a rotatable storage lever with a spring leg and stop leg, ensuring the pawl is held in the raised position until the rotary latch is opened, and using a bistable toggle spring for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the storage element is made freely movable to allow flexible operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the functional reliability deteriorates due to uncontrolled movements and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidfunctional reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring acts as an intermediary element between the storage element and the lock components. It maintains continuous contact while allowing controlled movement, preventing uncontrolled movements and noise while preserving operational flexibility. The spring mediates the interaction, ensuring the storage element remains stable relative to lock components during all functional states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the storage element is fixed to prevent uncontrolled movements, then the functional reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage element is designed with dynamic characteristics through the spring connection. It can move controllably during operation but maintains stable contact with lock components. The spring allows the storage element to adapt its position dynamically while preserving reliability, avoiding both complete freedom of movement and rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a complex mechanism is used to control storage element movements, then the functional reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring provides self-regulating functionality, automatically maintaining contact between the storage element and lock components without requiring external control mechanisms. The system uses the spring's inherent elastic properties to achieve reliable operation, eliminating the need for additional complex control systems while preserving functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design enhances functional reliability by preventing uncontrolled movements and noise, while maintaining a structurally simple and cost-effective solution, ensuring the storage element consistently interacts with lock components, thus improving the overall performance of the locking mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a storage element (13) which is acted upon by a spring (12) and which holds the pawl (4) in the raised position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

In order to achieve this bistability of the toggle spring, the spring is designed as a spiral spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1862618B1Motor vehicle door lock
Publication Date: 2009.07.01 KIEKERT AG
  • EP1862618B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1862618B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP1862618B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The door lock has a safety catch comprising a rotary latch (3) and a bolt (4). A drive (5) is provided for lifting the bolt. An accumulator unit (13) is impinged by a tilting spring (12), where the unit holds the bolt in the lifting position until the rotary latch is opened. The accumulator unit is held at a locking component by the spring during the opening of the latch. The unit is formed as a lever, which is rotatably supported around a stationary axis.