Vehicle Lock Logic Unit Detent Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motor vehicle lock logic arrangements are costly to produce due to their complex mechanisms, particularly the push-push mechanism which requires multiple levers and lacks manufacturing simplification.
Innovation Solution
A simplified lock logic arrangement using a detent spring arrangement between the input element and the switching element, eliminating the need for an additional intermediate lever, allowing the switching element to assume a new position during a push movement while maintaining stability with minimal effect from loading movements, thus reducing the number of parts and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a three-lever push-push mechanism is used to implement locking logic, then the locking function is mechanically robust, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate lever from the traditional three-lever push-push mechanism, extracting only the essential components needed for the locking function. This reduction from three levers to two levers simplifies the mechanism while maintaining the core push-push functionality through the detent spring arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the intermediate lever and the detent mechanism into a single detent spring arrangement that directly couples the input lever to the locking lever. This merging eliminates the need for the intermediate lever while achieving the same mechanical robustness through the spring-based detent system.
2Manufacturing precision
If an intermediate lever is used in the push-push mechanism, then the switching element can be positioned accurately, but the manufacturing effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the intermediate lever and transfers it to the detent spring arrangement. The detent spring provides precise positioning of the switching element through its engagement with the locking lever, eliminating the need for the intermediate lever while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent spring arrangement acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the input lever and the locking lever. It provides the necessary mechanical coupling and positioning function that previously required the intermediate lever, but in a simpler, more manufacturable form.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simplified two-lever mechanism with detent spring is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ratchet function must be carefully implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The detent spring arrangement is designed to automatically provide the ratchet function through its spring-based engagement mechanism. The spring naturally provides the one-way coupling needed for the push-push function, eliminating the need for complex additional ratchet components and simplifying the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the coupling between levers by introducing the detent spring arrangement. This spring-based coupling provides the necessary ratchet function through elastic deformation and engagement geometry, rather than through rigid mechanical constraints, simplifying the design.
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
The solution achieves mechanical robustness and cost-effectiveness by implementing a ratchet function with only two levers and a locking spring arrangement, suitable for central locking functions, and allows for a structurally simple and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
the switching element is equipped with a detent spring assembly. Specifically, it is proposed that the detent spring assembly locks the switching element in each switching position. During a push movement of the input element, the detent spring assembly is tensioned by the input element and then locked into place.
Implementation Method 2
The detent spring assembly ensures that the switching element assumes a mechanically stable equilibrium state in each switching position. This means that any deflection of the switching element from the respective switching position occurs against the spring force of the detent spring assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a logic unit for a motor-vehicle-lock arrangement (2), wherein the motor-vehicle-lock arrangement (2) has an arresting mechanism (3) in addition to the logic unit (1), wherein, in the installed state, the motor-vehicle-lock arrangement (2) is coupled mechanically to an exterior door handle (7) and possibly to an interior door handle (8), wherein the logic unit (1) has a lock mechanism (10) and an actuator (11), wherein the lock mechanism (10) can be moved into different lock states by means of the actuator (11), wherein, in the installed state, the arresting mechanism (3) can be opened, in dependence on the mechanical lock states, by mechanical, manual actuation of the exterior door handle (7) and possibly of the interior door handle (8), wherein the lock mechanism (10) has a push-push mechanism (12), having an input element (13) which can be adjusted, by means of the actuator (11), in a pushing movement and an oppositely directed setting movement (15), and having an adjustable switching element (16), which can be moved into at least two switching positions via switching movements (17), wherein, during a pushing movement (14), the switching element (16) is moved from one switching position, over the course of a switching movement (17), into a new switching position, and wherein, during a charging movement (15), the switching element (16) maintains its switching position. It is proposed that the push-push mechanism (12) should have a latching-spring arrangement (18), which secures the switching element (16) in the switching positions with latching action in each case and, during the course of a pushing movement (14) of the input element (13), is subjected to stressing and is engaged and, during the course of a setting movement (15) of the input element (13), is subjected to stressing, but is not engaged.