Motor Vehicle Lock Latching Element Guide Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks face issues with the guidance of the latching element, which can tilt or leave the plane of the locking mechanism during interaction between the pawl and rotary latch, leading to noise and operational problems.
Innovation Solution
The latching element is equipped with a guide extension that projects relative to the plane of the locking mechanism for additional axial and/or radial guidance, ensuring it remains within the pivot plane and preventing tilting, thus improving the rolling process between the pawl and rotary latch and enhancing noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the latching element is pivotably mounted in the plane of the locking mechanism, then the structure is simple and manufacture is inexpensive, but the latching element may tilt and leave the plane during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide extension that projects from the plane of the locking mechanism into a third dimension. This guide extension engages with a corresponding guide recess in the rotary latch, providing additional guidance in the axial direction perpendicular to the locking mechanism plane. This dimensional extension prevents the latching element from tilting or leaving its pivot plane during operation, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity
2Device complexity
If the latching element is guided only in the plane of the locking mechanism, then the design is simple, but noise is generated due to tilting and improper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide extension projecting from the locking mechanism plane into the third dimension provides additional axial guidance that prevents tilting movements. This ensures proper engagement between the latching element and rotary latch during operation, eliminating noise-generating friction and misalignment while maintaining a simple design
3Reliability
If the latching element has additional axial and radial guidance, then functional reliability and noise performance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is segmented into two independent components: the guide extension on the latching element providing axial guidance, and the guide recess in the rotary latch providing radial guidance. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in itself while collectively providing comprehensive guidance that improves reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide extension acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the latching element and the rotary latch. By providing a dedicated guidance interface that projects from the locking mechanism plane, it ensures proper alignment and engagement without requiring complex guidance structures in either the latching element or rotary latch
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is provided with a locking mechanism consisting substantially of a rotary latch and a pawl. In addition, a latching element, which is arranged in the engagement region between two locking mechanism components is provided, wherein said latching element is pivotably mounted on the rotary latch and/or the pawl for the most part in a plane of the locking mechanism (E). According to the invention, the latching element has a guide extension, which projects relative to the plane of the locking mechanism (E), for additional axial and/or radial guidance.