Motor Vehicle Latching System with Integrated Electronic Braking Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle latching systems with electrical drives face issues with undesired return movements of actuators, which can lead to unintended operation, and existing solutions for preventing these movements are complex and costly to implement.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in connector component with an integrated electronic braking device, utilizing a diode switched in parallel, is connected to the electrical drive via a simple and secure plug-in mechanism, ensuring reliable operation and easy retrofitting of the braking device to prevent unwanted return movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electrical drive is used to move components in a latching system, then automated operation and convenience are improved, but undesired return movements occur leading to unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
A braking device is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrical drive and the latching mechanism. This braking device includes a brake shoe that can be pressed against a brake wheel to mechanically prevent return movements of the drive shaft, thereby eliminating unintended operation while preserving automated control capability.
2Reliability
If a braking device with brake shoe and brake wheel is added to prevent return movements, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braking device is integrated into the existing latching system housing rather than being added as a completely separate assembly. The brake shoe is positioned to engage with the brake wheel within the same structural envelope, merging multiple functions into a compact arrangement that minimizes overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking device utilizes the existing motor shaft and housing structure to provide braking functionality. The brake wheel is coupled directly to the motor shaft, and the brake shoe is positioned to engage this wheel, allowing the system to self-regulate return movements without requiring additional external actuation mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional braking device mounting methods are used, then manufacturing capability is maintained, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake shoe and brake wheel are pre-positioned and secured within the housing during the housing manufacturing process itself, rather than being assembled separately afterward. This preliminary integration allows the braking components to be installed as part of the standard housing production workflow, eliminating additional assembly steps and reducing manufacturing time.
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
The solution effectively prevents undesired return movements of the actuator, ensuring reliable operation under environmental stresses and vibrations, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture and automate, with the electronic braking device securely integrated within the plug-in connector component.
Implementation Method 1
The external electrical plug-in connector component has an electronic braking device for the electrical drive. The external electrical plug-in connector component has two electrical contacts which respectively have a recess open on one side in which an electrical conductor of the electronic braking device is accommodated in each instance.
Data Source
AI summary
The task of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle latching system with an actuator and an electronic component switched in parallel in a technically simple and reliable manner which prevents undesired return movements of the actuator.The task is solved by a latching system with an electrical drive having an electrical plug-in connector component and with an external electrical plug-in connector component (1), which is connected to the electrical plug-in connector component of the electrical drive and which has an electronic braking device for the electrical drive, whereby the external electrical plug-in connector component (1) has two electrical contacts (2, 3) which each have a recess (4) which is open on one side in which an electrical conductor of the electronic braking device is accommodated in each instance.