Exterior Locking Module with Neutral Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking mechanisms for motor vehicles and buildings are complex, unreliable, and prone to accidental locking or unlocking due to the lack of a neutral position in the rotary movement conversion mechanism, which increases the number of parts and production steps.
Innovation Solution
A compact locking module with a housing that includes a rotatably mounted switching nut and a transmission lever, featuring a neutral position that prevents immediate locking or unlocking until a specific angle is reached, converting rotary movement into linear movement to control the locking mechanism, thereby minimizing parts and ensuring reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary movement conversion mechanism is implemented without a neutral position, then the locking mechanism can be actuated immediately upon key rotation, but accidental locking or unlocking may occur and the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
A neutral position is introduced as an intermediary state between the key rotation and the locking mechanism actuation. This neutral position acts as a buffer that prevents direct transmission of rotational movement to the locking mechanism until the key is fully inserted and properly positioned, thereby preventing accidental locking or unlocking without adding complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The neutral position requires the key to be fully inserted and rotated to a specific preliminary position before the locking mechanism is activated. This preliminary action ensures that only intentional key insertion and rotation trigger the locking mechanism, filtering out accidental or incomplete key insertions
2Ease of manufacture
If the switching nut is rotatably mounted without additional bearing components, then the number of parts is minimized and production is simplified, but the reliability of the locking module may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing function is merged into the housing structure itself rather than being implemented as a separate component. The housing incorporates a bearing surface that directly supports the rotatable switching nut, combining the mounting and bearing functions into a single integrated structure that simplifies production while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure provides its own bearing function without requiring external bearing components. The switching nut is supported by the housing's integrated bearing surface, allowing the system to be self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional parts while maintaining stable rotation
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 provides a reliable, easy-to-produce locking module with a neutral position that prevents accidental locking or unlocking, ensuring secure operation and reducing the number of parts and production steps, enhancing stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanism for converting a rotary movement of the switching nut into a linear movement to lock and unlock a lock
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a module for locking a motor vehicle lock. The aim of the invention is to design an easy-to-make and compact locking module for a lock. Said aim is achieved by a locking module comprising a housing, a switching nut that can be connected to a locking cylinder so as to rotate the switching nut by means of a key, and mechanism for converting a rotary movement of the switching nut into a linear movement to lock and unlock a lock. The mechanism comprises a dog which is linearly moved by a rotary movement of the switching nut. In the mounted state of the locking module, the linear movement of the dog actuates a mechanism that causes the lock to unlock or lock. In order to minimize the number of parts, the switching nut is rotatably mounted by the module housing.