Lock Mechanism With Blocking Element Against Accidental Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks for securing energy stores on electric vehicles or vehicles are prone to unintentional unlocking due to vibrations or strong accelerations, leading to potential loss of the secured items and unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A lock mechanism with a latch that can be manually actuated using a handle, featuring a coupling pin and a ramp mechanism to ensure secure engagement, and a blocking element to prevent accidental unlocking, combined with an actuator for keyless operation and feedback systems for locking confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong spring element is used to push the latch into the locking position, then the locking reliability is improved, but the risk of unintentional unlocking due to vibrations and strong accelerations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is positioned to preemptively prevent the latch from moving into the unlocking position by applying a counteracting mechanical constraint before vibrations or accelerations can cause unintentional unlocking. This preliminary protective measure blocks the harmful movement path of the latch.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element acts as an intermediary component between the latch and the unlocking direction, providing an additional mechanical barrier that must be overcome for unlocking to occur. This intermediary element absorbs and redirects forces that would otherwise cause unintentional unlocking.
2Ease of operation
If the latch can be moved into the unlocking position by manual actuation, then the operating comfort is improved, but the risk of unauthorized access due to strong acceleration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element preemptively prevents unauthorized unlocking by creating a mechanical barrier that cannot be overcome by simple acceleration forces. The element is positioned to block the latch movement path before unauthorized access can occur, while still allowing authorized manual actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically responds to different types of forces: it allows intentional manual actuation forces to move the latch while blocking unintentional acceleration forces. The blocking element's positioning and the ramp mechanism's geometry create a dynamic system that discriminates between authorized and unauthorized unlocking attempts.
3Reliability
If a coupling pin with ramp mechanism is used for engagement, then the security against accidental unlocking is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the latch for primary locking, the coupling pin for engagement, and the blocking element for security. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability against accidental unlocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp mechanism uses inclined surfaces with specific geometric curvature to create a mechanical advantage that prevents the latch from moving backward into the unlocking position. The curved or angled geometry of the ramp provides a self-locking effect that secures the engagement without requiring additional complex components.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock comprising a locking mechanism that has a latch that can be moved between a locking position, which is provided for securing a counter-piece movable relative to the locking mechanism, and an unlocking position provided for releasing the counter-piece, and an actuation element for manually moving the latch into the unlocking position.