Closing Assisted Electric Lock Drive Lever Pre-positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric locks with motorized closing assistance for motor vehicle doors generate noise and require a relatively long time for proper operation, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An electric lock design featuring a drive lever with a protuberance that pre-positions itself for engagement with the bolt when it rotates from the open to the closed position, utilizing a drive cable and position sensors to optimize the closing process, reducing unnecessary movement and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional motorized closing assistance mechanism is used, then the door closing function is provided, but the closing time is relatively long and noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing timeVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drive lever is pre-positioned in a disengaged state from the bolt during the opening phase, so that when closing is required, the lever is already ready to engage immediately without unnecessary movement or delay, reducing both closing time and noise generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The drive lever is designed to be dynamically engageable and disengageable from the bolt based on the operational phase, allowing the mechanism to adapt its state for optimal performance - disengaged during opening to avoid interference, and engaged during closing to provide assistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the drive lever is engaged with the bolt throughout the cycle, then closing assistance is provided, but the operation time increases due to unnecessary movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing speedVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drive lever is pre-positioned in a disengaged state before the closing operation begins, allowing immediate engagement with the bolt at the optimal moment without prior movement, thus reducing operation time while maintaining closing assistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism automatically manages the engagement and disengagement of the drive lever based on the operational phase, with the lever self-positioning itself in the appropriate state without requiring external control, optimizing both productivity and time efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 reduces the time required for closing the door and minimizes noise by ensuring efficient actuation of the drive lever, allowing for faster and quieter operation while maintaining functionality in case of electrical failure.

Implementation Method 1

provision is made to deport the actuator using a drive cable to form a functional lock-actuator assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

The pawl 13 is subjected to an elastic return force, which urges it towards the bolt 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic return force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2155994B1Closing assisted electric lock for opening of automobile
Publication Date: 2015.06.17 VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
  • EP2155994B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2155994B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a closing assisted electric lock for the opening of an automobile, that comprises: a bolt (5) including first (19) and second (20) notches, said bolt (5) interacting with a strike and being capable of rotating between an open position, a position closed at the first notch of the lock and a position closed at the second notch of the lock; a pivoting ratchet (13) capable of interacting with said bolt (5) for preventing the rotation thereof (5) into a closed position at the first and second notches of the lock; a bolt (5) driving lever for rotatingly driving the bolt (5) between the closed position at the first notch and the closed position at the second notch of the lock; characterised in that the driving lever (9) includes a protrusion (37) provided so that said bolt (5) is capable of pivoting the lever (9) when said bolt (5) rotates from the open position to the closed position at the second notch of the lock.