Motor Vehicle Hood Locking Mechanism Gap Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle latches fail to minimize the gap between the hood and the vehicle body during closure, leading to air resistance and aesthetic issues, with existing solutions not effectively reducing the gap to zero.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a latch mechanism featuring a catch and pawl, driven by an electric motor and rocker arm, which moves the latch to minimize the gap by locking the catch in a main ratchet position, preventing overtravel and ensuring a continuous closed surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the latch is allowed to close freely without restriction, then the closing speed is fast, but the gap between hood and vehicle body cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The latch is first closed to the main ratchet position where it is securely locked, and then the drive is activated to perform the gap-minimizing movement. This preliminary locking action ensures the latch is stable before the precision adjustment begins, resolving the contradiction between fast closing and precise gap minimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic adjustment phase where the drive moves the latch housing relative to the fixed base element. This dynamic adjustment allows the gap to be minimized while maintaining the locked state, achieving both speed and precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the drive moves the latch housing to minimize the gap, then the gap is reduced to 3mm or less, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive serves multiple functions: it moves the latch housing to minimize the gap, maintains the locked position during adjustment, and can be integrated with existing latch mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing complexity while achieving precise gap reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch housing acts as an intermediary element that can move relative to both the fixed base element and the locking mechanism. This intermediary structure allows gap adjustment without requiring complete redesign of the entire latch system, managing complexity while achieving the technical goal.
3Manufacturing precision
If the catch is allowed to overtravel during closing, then the closing force is sufficient, but the gap cannot be minimized and aesthetic issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism provides mechanical feedback that prevents overtravel beyond the main ratchet position. The drive receives feedback on the latch position and stops movement when the optimal gap is achieved, ensuring both sufficient closing force and precise gap minimization without excessive overtravel.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch is first closed to the main ratchet position with sufficient force to ensure secure locking, and then the drive performs a controlled secondary movement to minimize the gap. This two-stage approach ensures both adequate closing force and precise gap control.
4Manufacturing precision
If the latch housing is fixed relative to the base element, then the mechanism is simple, but the gap cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latch housing is made dynamically adjustable relative to the fixed base element through the drive mechanism. This allows the system to transition from a simple fixed configuration to a dynamic adjustable configuration when gap minimization is required, balancing simplicity and functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device and method for locking the locking device includes a lock for a door or a hatch for a hood of a motor vehicle. The lock having includes a locking mechanism that has a rotary latch and at least one pawl for blocking the rotary latch. The locking device includes a drive which allows the locking mechanism to be moved in such a way that a door gap or hatch gap can be narrowed in the closed state of the door or hatch. The lock is an electric lock that includes an electric drive which allows the locking mechanism to be brought into the main blocking position of the locking mechanism and/or allows the lock to be opened.