Mechanical Emergency Door Lock Release System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency door opening systems for vehicles rely on explosive charges, posing a danger to occupants due to the use of hazardous materials.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical system comprising two metal plates with dovetail grooves and projections, a spring-loaded latch, and a handle mechanism that allows for safe emergency door opening by sliding the top plate relative to the fixed plate, releasing the door lock without explosives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If explosive charges are used to blow off the lock from its seat, then the door can be opened in emergency situations, but the system becomes inherently dangerous for vehicle passengers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency door opening capabilityVSAvoiddanger to passengers from explosive materials
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the explosive charge system with a purely mechanical opening mechanism. The device uses a movable plate with an extension that directly engages with the lock's hook element, utilizing mechanical force transmitted through a solid bar and latch mechanism to disengage the lock without any explosive materials, thereby eliminating the hazard to passengers while maintaining emergency door opening capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the explosive charges from the door opening system, retaining only the essential mechanical components needed for lock disengagement. By taking out the harmful explosive elements and keeping only the mechanical engagement and actuation components, the system achieves safe emergency opening without the previously necessary explosive materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a mechanical system is used instead of explosive charges, then passenger safety is improved, but the force required to operate the mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger safetyVSAvoidoperating force on handle
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a spring-loaded latch mechanism that dynamically assists the opening operation. The spring is compressed during normal operation and automatically releases to provide assisting force when the latch is actuated, reducing the manual force needed to operate the handle while maintaining secure locking during normal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dovetail grooves and projections with curved, interlocking surfaces that provide mechanical advantage through their geometry. The curved surfaces of the dovetail engagement create leverage and force multiplication, allowing the operator to open the door with reduced effort while maintaining a secure mechanical connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the extension protrudes from the inner face of the movable plate, then the device can be associated with conventional door locks, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with conventional door locksVSAvoidstructure of emergency opening device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a fixed member for mounting to the vehicle structure, a movable plate with dovetail grooves for engagement, an extension with the latch mechanism, and a spring assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation on conventional door locks while reducing overall structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables safe and effective emergency door opening without harming vehicle occupants by using a mechanical mechanism that is easy to operate and adaptable to various door systems, ensuring a secure escape route.

Implementation Method 1

a latch 18 advantageously of the spring type

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3119967B1Emergency opening system for vehicle locks
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 EGG INNOVATION S R L S
  • EP3119967B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3119967B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3119967B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

A device for emergency opening of a door lock of a motor vehicle comprises: a fixed plate (10); a movable plate (12) which is slidably mounted on the fixed plate (10), supports an engaging hook element (23) of the lock and has an extension (32) with a recess (34); a spring latch (18) which can be selectively extracted from the recess (34) so as to allow sliding of the movable plate (12); and operating means for performing extraction of the latch (18), such as a flat bar (16) which has one end connected to the latch (18) and an opposite end provided with an operating handle (14).