Motor Vehicle Lock DC Motor Circuit Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door lock systems with electric closing drives face issues of durability and convenience due to excessive motor load and noise generation during the reset process, particularly when no clutch is provided, leading to undesirable tension and noise development.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle door lock system utilizing a DC motor with coupling means like a worm drive and Bowden cable, coupled with mechanical restoring springs, and an enhanced motor circuit featuring protective diodes, Zener diodes, and varistors to manage rotational speed and voltage, reducing noise and wear by implementing engine braking and voltage limiting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electric motor is used to drive the closing action of the locking element, then the locking element can be moved into the locked position against seal force or friction, but the motor becomes rotationally fixed during the return process and operates as a generator, causing excessive voltage generation and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotorized closing actionVSAvoidnoise and voltage peaks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A clutch mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the electric motor and the locking element. The clutch disengages the motor from the locking element during the return process, preventing the motor from being rotationally fixed and operating as a generator, thereby eliminating excessive voltage generation and noise while maintaining motorized closing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the motor is rotationally fixed to the returned elements via a chain of actions, then the return to original position is achieved, but the motor acts as a generator creating considerable voltage and undesirable noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereturn to original positionVSAvoidnoise and voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch mechanism extracts or separates the motor from the return motion path. During the return process, the clutch disengages, allowing the locking element to return to its original position independently without rotating the motor, thereby eliminating the generator effect and associated noise and voltage peaks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 system enhances durability and convenience by reducing noise and wear, ensuring reliable operation and efficient reset of the locking mechanism while minimizing voltage peaks and motor stress.

Implementation Method 1

DC electric motor to provide a closing aid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

mechanical restoring means are coupled to the coupling means, exerting a preload force on the coupling means in the direction of the initial position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic restoration: Spring

Implementation Method 3

at least one protection diode and at least one discrete component connected in series with it, this discrete component comprising an ohmic resistor or a Zener diode with reverse bias

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode rectification and voltage regulation: Diode

Implementation Method 4

varistors to manage rotational speed and voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-linear resistance and energy dissipation: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3426868B1Motor vehicle lock with a locking aid
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3426868B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2c
  • EP3426868B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A door lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a blocking means (3) which is coupled to an electric DC motor (7) for providing a locking aid, wherein coupling means (8, 9, 12) are provided for converting the rotary movement of the DC motor into a blocking movement. The DC motor (7) moves the coupling means from a starting position to a pulled-closed position. Mechanical resetting means exert a prestressing force onto the coupling means in the direction of the starting position. When the supply of voltage to the DC motor (7) is stopped, the resetting means resets the coupling means to the starting position, wherein the resetting of the coupling means is converted into a voltage-generating movement of the DC motor (7). An electrical circuit for driving the DC motor has a first path with discrete components parallel to the DC motor (7), wherein the first path has at least one protection diode (26) and at least one discrete component, which is connected in series with said protection diode, in the form of a non-reactive resistor (27) and/or a Zener diode (28).