Motor Vehicle Latch Spring Mounting Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle latches require separate mountings and significant space for spring elements, which complicates their construction and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door latch design where the spring element is mounted directly on the actuator, allowing it to move with the actuator and maintain its position without additional mountings, thereby reducing space requirements and simplifying the construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mountings are used for spring elements, then the spring can maintain actuator positions reliably, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrated directly into the actuator body, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures. The spring is positioned within recesses and grooves formed directly on the actuator, merging the spring support function with the actuator itself, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining position maintenance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the actuating motion, houses the spring element, and maintains positional stability through integrated spring mounting features. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the latch mechanism
2Reliability
If separate mountings are used for spring elements, then the spring can be securely installed, but the space required for the latch mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is nested within recesses and grooves formed directly on the actuator body. This nesting arrangement allows the spring to be securely installed within the existing actuator volume without requiring additional external mounting space, thereby reducing the overall space required for the latch mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mounting features are merged with the actuator geometry itself. The recesses and grooves that secure the spring are formed as integral parts of the actuator, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and reducing the total volume occupied by the latch mechanism
3Reliability
If additional mountings are provided for spring elements, then the spring can be properly positioned, but the construction cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring positioning features are combined with the actuator manufacturing process. The recesses and grooves are formed directly during actuator production, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and reducing assembly steps, thereby lowering construction costs while maintaining proper spring positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides actuating motion, houses the spring element, and ensures proper spring positioning through integrated geometric features. This reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying production and reducing costs
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 eliminates the need for separate spring mountings and minimizes space usage, resulting in a more compact and cost-effective latch mechanism that securely maintains actuator positions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element, whereby the spring element interacts with the actuator in such a way that the spring element maintains the actuator in the respective position
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (1), comprising a lock housing (2), a lock plate, adjusting means (3, 4) which are received in the lock housing (2) and/or on the lock plate such that they can move, particularly swivel in at least in some regions, the adjusting means (3, 4) being positionable in at least two different positions (L1, L2), a spring element (5, 6), said spring element (5, 6) cooperating with the adjusting means (3, 4) in such a way that the spring element (5, 6) holds the adjusting means (3, 4) in the respective position (L1, L2), and the spring element (5, 6) being attached to the adjusting means (3, 4) such that the adjusting means (3, 4) can move together with the spring element (5, 6).