Film Hinge Cover for Motor Vehicle Lock Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of motor vehicle lock components is complicated due to the obstruction caused by the covering part, which needs to be moved into position to close the installation opening after the Bowden cable is coupled, making the process cumbersome and obstructing the view into the component housing.
Innovation Solution
A component housing design featuring a hinge arrangement with a film hinge that allows the covering part to be easily gripped and moved into two latching positions, one releasing and the other closing the installation opening, facilitating easier handling and installation by being integrated with the housing part and forming an integral unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the covering part is positioned to close the installation opening, then the housing interior is protected, but the installation space becomes obstructed and difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The covering part is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between a closed position (protecting the housing interior) and an open position (providing access to the installation space). The hinge arrangement enables this dynamic repositioning during the installation process.
2Ease of operation
If the covering part is moved away from the installation opening during installation, then the installation space is more accessible, but the covering part becomes difficult to handle after coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The covering part is integrated with the housing part through the hinge arrangement, forming a unified structure. This merging ensures that the covering part remains attached to the housing and can be easily handled and positioned after the Bowden cable coupling is complete.
3Ease of operation
If the covering part is integrated with the housing part, then handling is simplified, but the movement and positioning becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge arrangement incorporates a film hinge, which provides flexible movement between the covering part and housing part. This thin-film hinge mechanism enables smooth rotation and positioning while maintaining a compact and simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments relate to a component housing for a vehicle lock component, wherein the component housing has a housing part, in particular housing upper part, with an installation opening and a covering part with a cover portion, which is designed to at least partially close the installation opening. The component housing can have a hinge arrangement with at least one hinge, by which the covering part, in a starting position in which the covering part is spaced apart from the installation opening and releases same, is movably connected to the housing part, that the hinge arrangement has at least one film hinge as a hinge, and that, with the involvement of the at least one film hinge, the covering part can be brought out of the starting position into at least two different latching positions in which the covering part is in each case latched to the housing part.