Motor Vehicle Lock Bowden Cable Joint for Twist-Tolerant Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle lock systems using Bowden cables for power transmission face challenges in secure and uniform power transfer, easy assembly, and prevention of twisting-induced malfunctions, particularly in complex and difficult-to-reach areas.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lock design featuring a rotary latch, pawl, and actuating lever with a rotatably installed Bowden cable that includes a spherical end piece connected to the actuating lever, utilizing a ring-shaped joining means and a sheet metal strip actuating lever for secure and cost-effective power transmission, allowing for twisting without distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spherical end piece is connected to the actuating lever with a complex assembly method, then the connection can be achieved, but the assembly becomes difficult and jamming risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional elements: the spherical end piece with its protrusion, the recess in the actuating lever, and the spring element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring element is introduced as an intermediary component between the spherical end piece and the actuating lever. This spring mediator provides automatic centering and compensation functions, ensuring reliable power transmission while simplifying assembly by eliminating the need for precise alignment and complex fastening operations.
2Reliability
If the Bowden cable is firmly fixed in position, then power transmission is stable, but twisting of the cable causes malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The Bowden cable connection is designed with dynamic characteristics through the spring element and spherical joint configuration. This allows the cable to accommodate twisting movements and positional variations while maintaining stable power transmission, transforming a static rigid connection into a dynamic adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element introduces elastic deformation as a parameter change mechanism, allowing the connection to absorb twisting stresses and maintain functional integrity. The spherical joint geometry provides additional parameter flexibility through rotational degrees of freedom, preventing twisting-induced malfunctions.
3Reliability
If a shaping deformation connection is used for the spherical end piece, then the connection can be secured, but the connection becomes difficult to assemble in hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides self-centering functionality that guides the spherical end piece into the correct position during assembly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external alignment tools or difficult-to-reach manipulation, allowing secure connection even in hard-to-access areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex shaping deformation connection is replaced with a simpler spring-based mechanical system. The spring element substitutes for difficult precision deformation operations, providing secure connection through elastic retention rather than permanent deformation, thereby improving assembly accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle lock includes a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, an actuating lever which can directly or indirectly unlock the locking mechanism, and at least one Bowden cable. The Bowden cable, in particular the Bowden pull cable, has a spherical-shaped end piece and the end piece can be connected to the actuating lever. The Bowden cable is housed in the motor vehicle lock so it can rotate.