Motor Vehicle Lock Free-Wheeling Path Reduces Actuating Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks require significant force to switch between functional states due to the high restoring force of spring-elastic elements, leading to expensive and uncomfortable operation, especially when manual adjustment is needed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a free-wheeling path for the external actuating element and an actuation path that allows the functional element to guide the external actuating element, thereby reducing the power flow through the drive train, allowing for easy switching between locked and unlocked states with minimal drive force requirements and enabling an 'override' function for easy unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-elastic functional element is used to switch between functional states, then the locking reliability is improved, but the actuating force required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating movement is segmented into two independent paths: a free-wheeling path for resetting the functional element and an actuating path for switching states. This segmentation allows the spring's restoring force to be bypassed during resetting, reducing the actuating force required while maintaining locking reliability through the dedicated actuating path.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide contour acts as an intermediary mechanism that directs the actuating element along specific paths. By introducing this guiding structure, the system can separate the resetting function from the state-switching function, allowing the high spring force to be engaged only when necessary for reliable locking while enabling easy resetting through the free-wheeling path.
2Reliability
If a powerful motor drive is used to overcome the spring restoring force, then the switching between functional states becomes reliable, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into a motor drive for state switching and a separate free-wheeling path for resetting. This allows the motor to be sized for the smaller task of initiating state changes rather than continuously overcoming the full spring force, reducing motor power requirements and overall system complexity while maintaining reliable switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-elastic functional element serves itself by automatically resetting through the free-wheeling path without requiring motor intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for a powerful motor to continuously counteract the spring force, reducing drive system complexity while maintaining reliable state switching capability.
3Reliability
If the actuating travel is used to lift the pawl, then the locking security is improved, but the actuating force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating travel is segmented into two functions: a first portion for switching the functional element's state and a second portion for lifting the pawl. This segmentation allows the system to accumulate actuating travel during state switching without immediately requiring high forces, then use the accumulated travel for pawl lifting, reducing the peak actuating force required while maintaining locking security.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with a latch (2) and a locking pawl (3) holding the latch (2), with a lock mechanism (5), wherein the lock mechanism (5) can be brought into the functional states "locked" and "unlocked" and for this purpose has a functional element (6) adjustable into different locking or unlocking functional positions corresponding to the functional states, wherein a drive arrangement (7) with a drive train (8) towards the functional element (6) is provided for adjusting the functional element (6), with an internal actuating element (9) by whose actuating movement the locking pawl (3) can be lifted, with an external actuating element (10) by whose actuating movement the locking pawl (3) can be lifted.It is proposed that, in a locking position, the functional element (6) guides the actuating movement of the external actuating element (10) into a free-running path (F) in which the external actuating element (10) runs freely; that, in an unlocking position, the functional element (6) guides the actuating movement of the external actuating element (10) into an actuating path (B) in which the external actuating element (10) actuates the pawl (3); that, for the purpose of guiding the external actuating element (10), the functional element (6) exerts a guiding force on the external actuating element (10), the force flow of which runs outside the drive train (8) of the drive arrangement (7); and that, in a first actuating movement of the internal actuating element (9), the functional element (6) is adjustable from a locking position to an unlocking position without disengaging the pawl (3), in which the functional element (6) remains.