Motor Vehicle Lock Reinforcement Plate Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks face challenges in achieving sufficient stability during extreme situations while minimizing weight and using a small number of components, as they need to withstand dynamic stresses and potential accidents without increasing mass or complexity.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lock design that incorporates a reinforcement plate operatively connected to the lock housing, using existing components like the lock housing and reinforcement plate to enhance stabilization, with features such as form-fitting engagement, stiffening ribs, and bent portions to distribute forces effectively, thereby increasing stability without adding components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a reinforcement plate is used to stabilize the locking mechanism, then stability and structural integrity are improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reinforcement plate with the lock housing into a single integrated component. The reinforcement plate is formed as an integral part of the lock housing, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement elements while maintaining the stabilizing function. This merging approach provides the necessary structural support without adding the weight and complexity of additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock housing is made from a composite material that combines plastic with reinforcing fibers or additives, providing enhanced mechanical strength and stiffness without the full weight penalty of metal construction. This allows the housing to serve both as the structural enclosure and as the reinforcement element, reducing overall weight while maintaining stability.
2Strength
If metal spindles and metal locking mechanism parts are used, then strength and reliability are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials for the locking mechanism components, replacing solid metal parts with plastic components reinforced with fibers or other strengthening agents. This provides sufficient strength for the locking function while significantly reducing the weight compared to all-metal construction. The composite material allows metal-like strength with plastic-like weight.
3Strength
If the reinforcement plate is made of metal, then strength is improved, but weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement plate is merged with the lock housing into a single molded component. This integration allows the reinforcement structure to be formed directly during the injection molding process of the lock housing, eliminating separate manufacturing steps for the reinforcement plate. The design incorporates ribs, protrusions, and other structural features that provide reinforcement while being naturally suited to plastic molding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters and structural geometry of the lock housing to achieve reinforcement without a separate metal plate. By optimizing the wall thickness, adding internal ribs, and creating specific geometric features during molding, the housing itself provides the necessary strength and stiffness, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a side door lock, comprising a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the locking mechanism parts are each rotatably mounted in a lock case by means of a metal spindle, and a reinforcement plate, wherein the spindles of the rotary latch and at least one pawl can be connected by means of the reinforcement plate, and wherein the reinforcement plate is operatively connected to the lock housing in such a way that stabilization of the lock housing can be achieved.