Motor Vehicle Lock Housing Assembly With Opposed Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of securing housing components of a motor vehicle lock while minimizing manufacturing costs and simplifying the assembly process, particularly in the context of an L-shaped lock design, is addressed.

Innovation Solution

The assembly of the cover and functional housing is achieved through parallel and opposing mounting movements relative to the locking mechanism unit, utilizing fixing arrangements such as fixing pins and clamps to create a fixing engagement, allowing for simplified and automated assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional separate mounting methods are used for cover and functional housing, then each component can be secured independently, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mounting operations for the cover and functional housing into a single unified assembly step. By designing the locking mechanism unit with integrated fixing arrangements that engage both components simultaneously during a single mounting movement, the invention merges what would traditionally be separate operations into one efficient action, thereby simplifying the assembly process and reducing assembly time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple fixing arrangements are used to secure housing components, then reliability of fixation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidfixing arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements fixing arrangements that serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same fixing mechanism that secures the cover also secures the functional housing, and the mounting movement performs both positioning and fixing functions. This multi-functionality approach maintains high fixation reliability while avoiding the need for multiple separate fixing arrangements, thereby reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of multiple fixing arrangements into a single integrated fixing mechanism. Instead of using separate fixings for the cover and functional housing, the patent designs a unified fixing arrangement that accomplishes both fixations through one mechanism and one mounting operation, thus reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If complex assembly procedures are used to secure housing components, then fixation reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent securingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines positioning and fixing operations into a single mounting step. The mounting movement simultaneously positions the cover and functional housing onto the locking mechanism unit and engages the fixing arrangements, eliminating the need for separate positioning and fixing steps. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while ensuring reliable component securing through the integrated fixing mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3081728B2Motor vehicle lock
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3081728B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3081728B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3081728B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with a locking mechanism unit (2) for accommodating the locking elements lock latch (3) and pawl (4) and with a functional unit (6) which has a functional housing (7) for accommodating at least one functional element (8) and preferably for covering at least part of the Spemmwerk unit (2), and having a cover (9) which covers at least part of the functional unit (6). It is proposed that at least one fixing arrangement (10, 11) be provided, with the cover (9) and the functional housing (7) being able to be fitted to the lock mechanism unit (2) by assembly movements in opposite assembly directions as part of the manufacture of the motor vehicle lock (1). and the assembly of a component of the cover (9) and functional housing (7) involves the establishment of a fixing engagement between this component and the respective other component and/or the barrier unit (2) by the fixing arrangement (10, 11).