Motor Vehicle Lock Spindle Actuator With Anti-Twist Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle lock actuating units face challenges in transmitting large forces while preventing twisting of the actuator, which is compounded by the industry's goal of making vehicles lighter, requiring reliable force transmission and anti-twist mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An actuating unit with an anti-twist device that guides the actuator linearly within a housing, utilizing a spindle gear and Bowden cable, featuring involute toothing and recesses for optimal force distribution and assembly safety, and potentially made from lightweight plastic materials like polyoxymethylene (POM).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the actuator is allowed to rotate freely, then the actuating unit can be simpler in structure, but the actuator will twist and unreliable force transmission will occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guiding means as an intermediary element between the actuator and the housing. This guiding means mediates the interaction by providing linear guidance while preventing rotational movement, thus ensuring reliable force transmission without requiring complex anti-rotation mechanisms
2Reliability
If anti-twist mechanisms are added to prevent actuator rotation, then force transmission reliability improves, but the actuating unit becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides linear guidance for the actuator, prevents rotational movement, and transmits forces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate anti-twist mechanisms, thereby preventing weight increase while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If the actuator is constrained to move only linearly, then twisting is prevented, but the actuator cannot accommodate varying loads and torques effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to varying loads and torques. The guidance structure can accommodate dynamic force variations while maintaining the linear movement constraint, thus providing both anti-twist capability and adaptability to different operating conditions
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
Ensures reliable anti-rotation and uniform force transmission, preventing unwanted twisting and enabling efficient power transfer, even under varying loads and torques, while maintaining a lightweight and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a spindle gear with a spindle nut (2) and a spindle (3), which is drivable by the drive unit (1.1) and by means of which the actuator (1.2) can be moved linearly
Implementation Method 2
A Bowden cable (18) is connected to the actuator (1.2), so that the Bowden cable core (19) can be actuated by means of the spindle (3) and the actuator (1.2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a control unit (1, 12), comprising a control element (4, 15), particularly for a closing drive of a motor vehicle lock. Said control unit comprises a housing (2, 13), a drive unit, and a spindle gear unit having a spindle nut and a spindle (3, 14). Said spindle gear unit can be driven by the drive unit and the control element (4, 15) can be moved by means of the spindle (3, 14), the control element (4, 15) having a means for guiding the control element (4, 15) in the housing (2, 13) so that the control element (4, 15) can be prevented from rotating about an axis of movement.