Motor Vehicle Lock Deflection Lever Crash Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks face challenges in crash safety due to undesirable reaction times and high material costs, as they require a separate blocking component and a robust drive train to prevent unintended door opening during crashes.
Innovation Solution
The motor vehicle lock employs a deflection lever with inertial characteristics that switches between a free-wheeling path during high acceleration crashes and an engagement path during normal operation, eliminating the need for a separate blocking component and optimizing the use of existing components for crash safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate crash element is used to block the pawl actuation lever during crashes, then crash safety is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection lever is designed to serve multiple functions: during normal operation it deflects the pawl actuation lever to release the catch, while during crashes it automatically switches to a free-wheeling path to prevent unintended door opening. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining crash safety
2Reliability
If the drive train is designed for exceptionally high forces to prevent breakage during crashes, then reliability is improved, but material costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection lever incorporates dynamic elements including a free-wheeling path and engagement path that allow it to adapt its behavior based on the forces applied. During normal operation it follows the engagement path, but during crashes with high forces it automatically transitions to the free-wheeling path, allowing the drive train components to be designed for normal operating forces rather than exceptional crash forces
3Reliability
If the crash element must move into a blocking position before blocking occurs, then the blocking function is achieved, but reaction time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection lever is pre-configured with both the free-wheeling path and engagement path as integral parts of its structure. The inertial characteristics and geometric features are built in advance, so when a crash occurs the lever automatically transitions along the predetermined free-wheeling path without requiring any additional movement or activation steps, minimizing reaction time
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 solution enhances crash safety by preventing component breakage and reducing material costs, as the deflection lever's inertial properties manage high-velocity impacts without additional components, ensuring reliable operation and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial characteristic of the deflection lever causes a deflection movement along a free-wheeling path, in which free-wheeling path the deflection lever misses the counter contour, when the actuation movement surpasses a rapidity threshold, and causes a deflection movement along an engagement path, in which engagement path the deflection lever engages the counter contour, when the actuation movement is below the rapidity threshold
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a lock for a door arrangement, wherein a catch and a pawl are provided. The catch can be brought into an opening position and into a closed position. The catch may be brought into holding engagement with a lock striker. The pawl may be brought into an engagement position. The pawl may be deflected into a release position. A pawl actuation lever is provided for deflecting the pawl. An engagement arrangement is provided. The engagement arrangement comprises a deflection lever on the side of the pawl actuation lever and a counter contour on the side of the pawl. The deflection lever is configured to engage the counter contour. An actuation movement of the pawl actuation lever can deflect the pawl into the release position. An inertial characteristic of the deflection lever causes a deflection movement along a free-wheeling path.