Two-Part Bearing Pin for Motor Vehicle Lock Lever Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks with coaxially supported levers require multiple components, including a spacer and a spring, leading to complex assembly and a risk of components being forgotten, which affects functionality.
Innovation Solution
The bearing pin is designed in two parts, comprising a plug-in pin and plug-in pin receptacle, with integrated stops to define the spacer between levers, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly by integrating the bearing pin production into the lock housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spacer and spring are added between the two levers to maintain their defined distance, then the functional reliability is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing pin combines multiple functions previously performed by separate components. It provides the coaxial support for both levers, maintains their defined distance through integrated stops, and serves as the mounting element for the spring. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts while preserving the spacer's role in maintaining lever positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing pin is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously acts as a support element, a positioning element (through its stops), and a mounting element for the spring. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Manufacturing precision
If a spacer is used to maintain the defined distance between levers, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer function is merged into the bearing pin structure itself through the integration of stops on the bearing pin. This eliminates the need for a separate spacer component while maintaining the defined distance between levers, thereby reducing assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The stops on the bearing pin are pre-configured during manufacturing to automatically define the correct distance between levers. This preliminary positioning action ensures manufacturing precision without requiring additional assembly operations to position spacers or maintain spacing.
3Reliability
If multiple components (bearing pin, spacer, spring) are used to support the levers, then the functional reliability is improved, but the loss of time during assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the bearing pin, spacer, and spring mounting functions into a single integrated bearing pin component, the number of assembly steps is significantly reduced. The lever can be directly mounted onto the bearing pin without requiring separate installation of spacers and spring mounting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing pin is pre-assembled with its stops and spring mounting features integrated during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site assembly of multiple separate components, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining functional reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which has a lever arrangement consisting of at least two levers. The two levers are supported coaxially with respect to each other on a common bearing pin. The bearing pin is anchored in a lock housing. According to the invention, the bearing pin consists of at least two parts, namely a plug-in pin and a plug-in pin receptacle. Each bearing pin part is provided with one stop which together form a spacer between the two levers.