Motor Vehicle Lock Magnetic Position Sensing Without Gear Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks with rotary encoders for monitoring functional elements require additional components, leading to complex designs and reduced design flexibility due to the need for installation space, which complicates the integration of compact motor vehicle locks.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system based on magnetic interaction between a magnet assembly and a sensor assembly, where the magnet assembly is integrated into the functional element and the sensor assembly is separately positioned on the motor vehicle lock, allowing for contactless determination of continuous position values, reducing the need for a gear assembly and enabling more compact and flexible design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotary encoder with gear assembly is used for monitoring functional element position, then continuous position values can be obtained, but the device complexity increases and installation space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gear assembly with a magnetic field-based sensing system. A magnet assembly attached to the functional element generates a magnetic field that is detected by a sensor assembly, eliminating the need for mechanical gears and enabling contactless position monitoring while maintaining continuous measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the functional element and the sensor assembly. The magnet assembly converts mechanical position into magnetic field variations, which the sensor assembly then detects, allowing indirect measurement without direct mechanical coupling.
2Measurement precision
If a gear assembly is used for position monitoring, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but design flexibility is reduced due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical gear assembly with a magnetic sensing system, the patent enables more versatile design configurations. The sensor assembly and magnet assembly can be positioned independently, allowing integration into various lock designs without being constrained by gear geometry or mechanical clearance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the monitoring system into separate functional modules: the magnet assembly attached to the functional element and the sensor assembly positioned independently. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately and facilitates greater design flexibility in their arrangement.
3Device complexity
If contactless sensor system with magnetic interaction is used, then design is simplified and installation space is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a learning phase where the control unit stores the initial magnetic field distribution pattern. This preliminary action allows the system to automatically compensate for manufacturing tolerances and positioning variations during normal operation, reducing the impact of precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the sensor assembly to continuously monitor the magnetic field changes and adjusts the position determination accordingly. The learning mechanism allows the system to adapt to variations in sensor-magnet positioning, maintaining accurate measurement despite manufacturing tolerances.
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 solution simplifies the design, reduces manufacturing costs, increases design flexibility, and enhances robustness against external influences, while enabling precise and efficient motorized control of functional elements with reduced noise and wear.
Implementation Method 1
the control unit derives the continuous position values for the functional element from the sensor signals of the sensor assembly, which are due to the magnetic interaction between the sensor assembly and the magnet assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle lock for a locking element of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle lock has a lock latch and a pawl system that locks the lock latch in a closed state and releases the lock latch in an open state, wherein the motor vehicle lock has a functional element that can be pivoted about a functional element axis and to which an adjustment range between a first end position and a second end position is assigned, wherein the motor vehicle lock has a sensor system for determining continuous position values for the functional element within the adjustment range. It is proposed that the sensor system comprises a magnetically sensitive sensor assembly, a magnet assembly and a control unit, that the magnet assembly is arranged on the functional element and the sensor assembly is otherwise arranged separately from the magnet assembly on the motor vehicle lock.