Vehicle Door Unlocking Actuator with Loop Lever and Band
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door unlocking systems in vehicles, particularly those using mechanical actuating elements with small diameter deflection rollers, face issues with high force requirements due to friction at deflection points, leading to increased wear and damage.
Innovation Solution
A device for door unlocking that incorporates an actuating element with a flexibly unwindable band portion connected to a Bowden cable, which is arranged on a base plate and/or door, and is connected to a rotatably arranged loop lever. This design minimizes friction and wear by avoiding deflection about a component, allowing the use of haptically appealing materials with lower component strength, and enabling an enlarged lever arm for increased actuating force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small diameter deflection roller is used for door unlocking, then the design space requirement is reduced, but the actuating force requirement increases considerably due to friction at deflection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the deflection function from a traditional roller component and replaces it with a deflection lever that guides the band portion along its longitudinal axis. This eliminates the need for a separate deflection roller, reducing design space requirements while avoiding the friction problems associated with roller-based deflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection lever acts as an intermediary component between the band portion and the locking mechanism. It mediates the force transmission by guiding the band portion through a controlled path along its longitudinal axis, reducing friction compared to small diameter rollers while still achieving the necessary deflection.
2Volume of moving object
If a small diameter deflection roller is used for door unlocking, then the design space requirement is reduced, but wear on the band section increases due to friction at deflection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional deflection roller component and replaces it with a deflection lever that guides the band portion along its length. This extraction eliminates the high-friction contact point of small rollers, significantly reducing wear on the band section while maintaining compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the deflection path from a small diameter roller curvature to a longer, more gradual curvature along the deflection lever's longitudinal axis. This parameter change reduces the contact pressure and friction, thereby minimizing wear on the band portion.
3Ease of operation
If haptically appealing materials with lower component strength are used for the actuating element, then the haptic feeling during gripping is improved, but the component strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is segmented into two distinct portions: an actuating portion made of haptically appealing soft material for comfortable gripping, and a band portion made of high-strength material for mechanical durability. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials with appropriate properties are applied to different portions of the actuating element. The actuating portion uses soft, haptically appealing material for user comfort, while the band portion uses high-strength material for mechanical integrity. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between haptic appeal and component strength.
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 reduces the actuating force required for door unlocking, minimizes wear on the actuating element, and provides improved haptic feedback during the unlocking process, while allowing for the use of lighter materials and potential weight savings through integrated components.
Implementation Method 1
The loop lever (5) is connected to the first Bowden cable lever axis (13) of the Bowden cable lever (12) in a rotatable manner about a first loop lever axis (6)
Implementation Method 2
The Bowden cable lever (12) has a second lever arm (26) which can be configured so as to further reduce the actuating force
Implementation Method 3
when the loop lever is rotated by the actuating element, the Bowden cable connected to the Bowden cable lever is movable
Implementation Method 4
a Bowden cable lever, which is rotatably arranged on the base plate and/or the door is connected to the loop lever via a coupling rod such that, when the loop lever is rotated by the actuating element, the Bowden cable connected to the Bowden cable lever is movable
Implementation Method 5
The axes of the loop lever and the Bowden cable lever can be supported with the aid of bearing bushings in order to reduce friction in the joints
Implementation Method 6
a second spring (30) arranged on the base plate (9) and/or on a door, having a second cam (29) arranged on the Bowden cable lever (12) for forming a haptic force threshold
Implementation Method 7
The cam portion (31) rotates against the closed portion of the second spring (30). A further rotational movement is only possible by applying a higher force
Data Source
AI summary
A device for door unlocking for a vehicle, having an actuating element, including an actuating portion and a flexibly unwindable band portion, which is connected to a Bowden cable. The Bowden cable and the actuating element are arranged on a base plate and/or a door, and the actuating element is connected to a rotatably arranged loop lever in such a way that, when the loop lever is rotated by the actuating element, the Bowden cable connected to the loop lever is movable. The loop lever includes a (preferably) circular loop lever portion, against which the actuating element partially abuts.