Vehicle Door Locking Couplings with Accident Detection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the event of a motor vehicle accident, existing door lock systems may unintentionally unlock, posing a risk to occupants and allowing foreign objects to enter the vehicle, as the doors can open due to mechanical or acceleration forces during the accident.
Innovation Solution
A central locking device with an accident detection system that temporarily locks the door handles during an accident, using a control device and locking couplings to prevent door opening, and automatically unlocks them after a defined period or when the vehicle comes to rest, ensuring safe access to the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If door locks are left unlocked during an accident, then occupants can access the vehicle interior, but foreign objects can enter and occupants may be thrown from the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically locks the door locks in advance upon detecting an accident situation through the accident detection device, preventing foreign objects from entering and occupants from being ejected before the harmful effects can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The door locking system transitions from a static locked/unlocked state to a dynamic state that automatically adjusts based on accident detection, locking during the accident phase and unlocking after the defined period when the vehicle is at rest
2Object-affected harmful factors
If door locks remain locked for an extended period after an accident, then occupant safety is maintained, but access to the vehicle is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements a time-based periodic locking strategy where doors are locked for a defined period after accident detection, then automatically unlock, creating a temporary protective barrier that expires when no longer needed
Solution Approach 2:
The accident detection device provides continuous feedback to the control device about vehicle status, enabling the system to monitor the accident phase duration and automatically transition from locked to unlocked state when the vehicle has come to rest
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual locking is required before an accident, then door security is ensured, but occupants cannot quickly access the vehicle after the accident
Solution Approach 1:
The door locking system performs automatic locking and unlocking operations without requiring manual intervention from occupants, detecting the accident situation autonomously and managing the locking cycle independently
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
Prevents unintended door opening during an accident, ensuring occupant safety and facilitating access to the vehicle after the incident, reducing the risk of injury or intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
the control device is coupled to an accelerometer, wherein, once the accident signal has occurred
Data Source
AI summary
A central locking device for door locks of a motor vehicle includes a control device and, connected thereto, locking couplings in the door locks. An accident detection device is provided for determining an accident situation of the motor vehicle and for transmitting an accident signal to the control device. Upon receiving the accident situation signal, the control device is set up to switch the locking couplings to the locked status for a defined period of time and then to switch them to the unlocked status. This prevents disturbances that may occur in the region of the door handle during an acute accident phase, since the door handles are not functional during the defined period of time.