Motor Vehicle Key Panel Bearing Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for emergency key housings in motor vehicles are complex, costly, and difficult to repair due to numerous components and the need for plain bearings and guides, which complicates manufacturing and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A key design featuring a panel with a first bearing that doubles as a housing component and a safety device with a translational movement mechanism, including a spring-loaded latching hook and insertion device, simplifies the structure and operation by reducing components and using the panel as both a bearing and mounting for the safety device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical security devices with locking mechanisms are used in the housing, then the key body can be secured, but the number of components increases and manufacturing becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity device functionalityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is merged with the housing to form an integrated bearing structure. The panel is firmly connected to the housing and simultaneously serves as a plain bearing for the safety device, eliminating the need for separate bearing components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining security functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The panel performs multiple functions: it forms part of the housing structure, serves as a plain bearing for the safety device, and provides mounting support. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while ensuring reliable operation of the security device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If plain bearings and guides are arranged in the housing, then smooth functioning is guaranteed, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth functioningVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing function is merged into the panel structure itself. The panel is firmly connected to the housing and simultaneously serves as a plain bearing for the safety device, eliminating the need for separate bearing components and reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring smooth operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the housing is glued together, then assembly is simplified, but repair becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidrepairability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The key housing is divided into separable components: the housing, the panel firmly connected to it, and the safety device. This segmentation allows the safety device to be removed and replaced independently while maintaining the intact housing-panel assembly, enabling repair without requiring complete disassembly or specialized tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design reduces production costs, simplifies manufacturing, and allows for easy and reliable operation of the safety device, enabling trouble-free functioning and easy key insertion/removal while maintaining mechanical integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the safety device is mounted with a spring. The spring can be designed as a simple compression spring, spiral spring or other spring. In this case, the spring is designed in such a way that a spring force of the spring transfers the safety device into the safety position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3156566B1Motor vehicle key
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3156566B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3156566B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3156566B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Key 100 for actuating a locking device of a motor vehicle comprising a housing 101, a cover 103 arranged on the housing 101, a key body 105 which is designed to be inserted at least partially into the housing 101, and a locking device 107 to secure the key body 105 inserted into the housing 101, wherein the cover 103 has a first bearing 109 which is designed to support the locking device 107.