Vehicle Hatch Locking With Exterior Bypass and Auto Lock Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
New types of vehicles, such as VTOL aircraft, require advanced safety features for secure hatch operation, especially in autonomous modes where manual intervention is limited or not possible, necessitating an automatic locking system that ensures safety without manual control.
Innovation Solution
An automatically-controlled locking system for vehicle hatches, utilizing sensors and an autonomous flight controller to manage the lock state based on vehicle conditions, with a bypass mechanism allowing external access in emergency situations, employing a solenoid with an extendable pin for power-efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an automatic locking system is implemented to ensure hatch security during flight, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system automatically locks the hatch based on vehicle motion detection without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors vehicle acceleration and automatically engages the lock mechanism, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminate the need for continuous manual monitoring while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a simplified system that uses motion sensors and automatic control logic. Instead of multiple mechanical switches and linkages, the system uses acceleration sensors to detect vehicle motion and triggers an electronic latch mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a solenoid with extendable pin is used for locking, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously - it engages the lock when vehicle motion is detected and disengages when the vehicle stops. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous power application, while the simple extendable pin design keeps the mechanical complexity minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential locking function from complex mechanical systems by using a simple solenoid-driven extendable pin. Instead of elaborate mechanical linkages and multiple components, the system uses a single actuating element (the extendable pin) that performs the entire locking and unlocking function, reducing device complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
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
Ensures hatch security during flight and safe exit procedures by automating lock states based on vehicle activity, providing external access when necessary, and optimizing power usage through the solenoid's design.
Implementation Method 1
employing a solenoid with an extendable pin for power-efficient operation
Data Source
AI summary
A lock in a vehicle is automatically controlled based at least in part on a state associated with the vehicle. In response to an attempt to open a hatch using an interior release lever while in a locked state, the automatically-controlled lock in the locked state prevents the hatch from opening. In response to an attempt to open the hatch using an exterior release lever while the automatically-controlled lock is in the locked state, a bypass to the automatically-controlled lock is used to open the hatch.