Motor Vehicle Lock Coupling Lever Control Cam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door lock systems with mass inertia elements face challenges in providing a defined control of coupling behavior due to fluctuations in spring constants and temperature influences, leading to insecurity and inefficiency in securing the lock during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lock system incorporating a control cam to guide the coupling lever, allowing for a defined movement and alignment, independent of spring elements, ensuring secure operation even at slow actuating lever speeds and high forces, with adjustable deflection behavior and speed control through the contour design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring element is used to control the coupling lever, then the coupling can be achieved during normal operation, but the spring constant fluctuations and temperature influences lead to undefined control and reduced security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring element from the control mechanism and replaces it with a control cam. This extraction eliminates the source of fluctuation and temperature influence, providing a more reliable and defined control of the coupling lever's movement and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the spring-based mechanical control system with a cam-based mechanical control system. The control cam provides a predetermined, defined movement path for the coupling lever, replacing the variable spring force with a geometrically determined motion that is independent of material properties and temperature.
2Reliability
If the actuating lever is operated at high speed during an accident, then the door may be unintentionally opened, but mass inertia elements cannot respond quickly enough to prevent this
Solution Approach 1:
The control cam is pre-configured with a specific geometry that defines the coupling lever's movement path and timing. This preliminary design ensures that the coupling lever is already positioned and controlled to prevent unintentional opening before the accident scenario occurs, rather than reacting after the high-speed actuation begins.
3Manufacturing precision
If a control cam is used to guide the coupling lever, then the movement and alignment are precisely defined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control cam utilizes a curved, cam-shaped geometry to guide the coupling lever's movement. This curved profile provides precise control of the lever's position and orientation through its geometric shape, achieving high manufacturing precision while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece component design that reduces overall system complexity.
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 control cam system provides a high degree of security and functionality by ensuring the coupling joint remains in a defined position, preventing unintended unlocking during normal operation and maintaining lock engagement during excessive speeds, such as in accidents, while minimizing component count and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling lever can be controlled by means of a control cam in which the coupling lever can be guided
Implementation Method 2
mass inertia-based latching systems have become known which counteract unintentional opening of a door lock
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a side door lock, comprising a locking mechanism (7), a triggering lever (6), an actuating lever (2) and a coupling lever (3), wherein the triggering lever (6) can be coupled to the actuating lever (2) by means of the coupling lever (3), and a means for controlling the coupling lever (3), wherein the coupling lever (3) can be guided by means of a control cam (11).