Motor Vehicle Lock Catch Control Contour Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle lock arrangements face challenges in constructional flexibility, noise reduction during the opening sequence, and integration of comfort functions like motorized opening and cinching, which require costly constructional measures.
Innovation Solution
The motor vehicle lock arrangement features a pivotable catch and pawl arm with a control contour, allowing the pawl arm to move towards and into the inlet channel during the opening sequence, reducing noise and enabling low-effort integration of motorized functions, while the pawl arm's primary blocking contour engages the catch's primary blocking contour for torque translation and spring-biased operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the pawl arm moves away from the inlet channel during opening sequence as in conventional designs, then the opening function is achieved, but loud snapping noise occurs from the pawl slipping off the blocking contour
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the pawl arm away from the inlet channel during opening as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by moving the pawl arm towards and into the inlet channel. This reversal of the traditional motion path allows the pawl to follow the control contour smoothly, preventing the snapping noise caused by slipping off the blocking contour while still achieving the opening function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If motorized opening and cinching functions are integrated into the lock arrangement, then operational comfort is improved, but constructional complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control contour of the catch serves multiple functions: it guides the pawl arm during opening, enables noiseless operation, and provides a mechanical advantage system for motorized cinching. By designing the control contour to engage with the pawl arm in different positions, the system can achieve both opening and cinching functions with a single mechanical feature, reducing the need for separate constructional elements for motorized operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the pawl arm stays in contact with the catch via the control contour during opening, then noise is reduced, but the constructional flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control contour is designed to dynamically adapt its engagement with the pawl arm during the opening sequence. The contour provides different engagement characteristics at different positions: it maintains continuous contact for noiseless operation during the initial phase, then allows the pawl to follow a path that naturally separates as opening progresses. This dynamic engagement pattern achieves noise reduction without requiring complex additional components.
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 achieves a significant reduction in noise generation during the opening sequence, enhances operational safety, and allows for simple integration of motorized functions with minimal constructional effort, improving constructional flexibility and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged to bias the pawl arm into its primary closed position and/or to bias the catch into its primary closed position
Implementation Method 2
the pawl arm slides along the control contour of the catch with low noise resulting from the opening sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle lock arrangement for a hatch leaf with a motor vehicle lock, including a catch for the interaction with a lock striker, pivotable around a catch axis, and a pawl with a pawl arm, pivotable around a geometrical pawl axis, wherein the motor vehicle lock may be brought into a primary closed state, in which the catch is in its primary closed position and in holding engagement with the lock striker and the pawl arm is in its primary closed position and blocking the catch in its primary closed position, wherein the motor vehicle lock may be brought into an open state, the catch is in its open position and releasing the lock striker and in which the pawl arm is in its open position, the motor vehicle lock may include an inlet channel in the form of a recess for receiving the lock striker.