Handleless Motor Vehicle Door Direct Actuator Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicle side doors without handles require a structurally complex design to open by a gap for operator access, involving intermediate elements like pivoting levers that increase design effort and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle door design with a direct actuator connected to the locking element, eliminating intermediate elements and allowing the actuator to drive the door leaf directly for gap-wise opening, and an independent drive mechanism for complete opening and closing, utilizing a locking arm with a counter-stop and adjustable stop pulleys for flexible movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an actuator is connected to a pivoting lever which is rotatably coupled to the locking element, then the door can be opened by a gap, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the intermediate pivoting lever from the mechanism, directly connecting the actuator to the locking element. This extraction of the unnecessary intermediate component simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the functionality to open the door by a gap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator and locking element are merged into a direct connection, eliminating the separate pivoting lever component. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and simplifies the mechanical transmission path from actuator to locking element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If intermediate elements like pivoting levers are used to connect the actuator to the locking element, then the door opening function is achieved, but the design effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor gap openingVSAvoiddesign effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting lever is extracted from the mechanism, reducing the number of components that need to be designed, manufactured, and assembled. This directly reduces design effort while maintaining the door gap opening functionality through direct actuator-to-locking-element connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the actuator drives the locking element directly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to compensate for play is challenged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidplay compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable stop on the door leaf that can adjust its position dynamically. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to compensate for play in the locking mechanism while maintaining a simple direct connection between actuator and locking element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position of the stop on the door leaf is made variable rather than fixed. By changing the positional parameter of the stop, the system can adapt to and compensate for play in the locking mechanism, ensuring reliable operation despite the simplified direct connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3271535B1Motor vehicle door
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 KIEKERT AG
  • EP3271535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3271535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3271535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door, in particular a handleless motor vehicle side door. The basic structure of said side door comprises a door leaf (1), a locking element (4, 5, 6), hinged to a motor vehicle body (2), for locking the door leaf (1) in predetermined angular positions in relation to the motor vehicle body (2), and at least one actuator (10, 11) acting upon the door leaf (1). Said actuator (10, 11) causes the door leaf (1) to open to an at least ajar position in relation to the motor vehicle body (2). According to the invention, the actuator (10, 11) is connected to the locking element (4, 5, 6) and directly drives the latter to adjust the door leaf (1).