Flexible Shaft Torque Transmission for Offset Vehicle Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for vehicle locks face challenges in assembly and torque transmission when the lock and lock cylinder are arranged at a small axial distance or offset, leading to difficulties in installation and inadequate torque transmission between axially offset components, which is desirable for enhanced theft-proofing.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a flexible shaft that can be axially and radially offset, featuring a gear train and a shaft connected to the lock cylinder's output element, allowing for reliable torque transmission and easy assembly by using a preassembled unit with a protective sleeve for theft protection, enabling quick installation and adaptation to various lock and cylinder arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a short shaft is used to transmit torque between lock cylinder and lock arranged at small distance, then the device compactness is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases due to limited bending degree
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed as a flexible, dynamically adaptable component that can bend to varying degrees during assembly. This allows the same shaft design to accommodate different installation scenarios - bending more when components are far apart, and less when they are close together - thereby resolving the contradiction between compactness and assembly ease
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft's geometric parameters (particularly its length and bend radius) are designed to allow variable configuration. By changing the shaft's bent state during assembly rather than requiring different shaft lengths, the system achieves adaptability without increasing device volume, resolving the contradiction between compactness and assembly flexibility
2Reliability
If the lock and lock cylinder are arranged axially offset for enhanced theft-proofing, then the security is improved, but the torque transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed to transmit torque not only along the axial direction but also to accommodate radial and angular offsets. By operating in multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously, the shaft maintains effective torque transmission even when the lock and lock cylinder are axially offset for security purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible shaft acts as a compliant mechanical element that can bend and flex to bridge the axial offset between lock cylinder and lock. This flexibility allows torque to be transmitted through the offset arrangement without rigid mechanical constraints, maintaining both security and torque transmission capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shaft lengths are provided for different lock and cylinder spacings, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single shaft design serves multiple functions and spacing requirements. The flexible shaft can be configured to work with various lock-to-cylinder distances through bending, eliminating the need for multiple specialized shafts of different lengths. This universal design reduces inventory complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is pre-designed with specific flexibility characteristics and geometric properties that enable it to adapt to different spacing requirements. By preparing the shaft with inherent bend capabilities rather than requiring post-manufacturing modifications or multiple pre-configured options, the system achieves adaptability without increasing complexity
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
Facilitates easy, quick, and convenient assembly, ensures reliable torque transmission, and provides enhanced theft protection by allowing the same device to be used for different lock and cylinder spacings, eliminating the need for multiple shaft lengths and accommodating staggered arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft is made of a flexible material and, comparable to the shaft according to the known patent EP 1 573 155 B1, has a group of notches running transversely to the shaft axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The device has a lock arranged in a distance to a closing cylinder. A shaft (20) is connected with an outlet unit (15) of the closing movement of the cylinder at a side and with the lock at another side in a coupling position so that the torque of the cylinder is directly or indirectly received and transferred to the lock. The shaft is held in the outlet unit in a torque-proof and longitudinal-shifting manner. The shaft is movable between an inserted installation position and a stretched coupling position by longitudinal-shifting and arranged outside the lock in the installation position.