Lock Spring Stop Mechanism for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle and building door locks with rotary latches and pawls often produce noise due to spring-loaded mechanisms that continue to exert force into the end position, leading to unwanted movement and noise.
Innovation Solution
A lock design where a leg spring is integrated with the lock housing through injection molding, featuring stops that prevent spring force from acting on pivotable components in the end position, allowing for controlled pivoting and reduced noise by ensuring the spring force is not applied in the end position, thus simplifying installation and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded mechanism is used to move the pivotable component, then the component can be reliably moved from initial position to end position, but noise is generated due to continuous spring force acting into the end position
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful spring force is extracted or removed from acting on the pivotable component in the end position through the stop mechanism. The stop prevents the spring from continuing to exert force on the component after it reaches the desired position, thereby eliminating the noise-generating interaction while maintaining the reliable positioning function.
2Reliability
If a separate metal mandrill is used to hold the spring, then the spring can be securely mounted, but the installation process becomes more complex requiring riveting
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrill and lock housing are merged into a single integrated component produced by injection molding. This eliminates the separate metal mandrill and riveting process, while the integrated design maintains secure spring mounting through the molded structure that directly holds the spring in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical riveting system is replaced with an injection molded plastic integration system. The mandrill is no longer a separate metal component requiring mechanical fastening, but is instead formed as an integral part of the plastic lock housing through molding processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spring force acts continuously on the pivotable component, then the component remains actively engaged, but opening forces increase and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous spring force is removed from the system in the end position through the stop mechanism. The stop extracts or eliminates the spring's acting force once the component reaches its target position, thereby reducing the opening force required while maintaining stable engagement through the mechanical stop itself.
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 significantly reduces noise and simplifies installation by ensuring the pivotable components reach their end positions without spring force, reducing opening forces and minimizing noise, while maintaining spring loading only in initial positions.
Implementation Method 1
The spring can move a pivotable component of the lock by means of the spring force from an initial position in the direction of an end position
Implementation Method 2
the bearing mandrill for the spring is simply produced together with the lock housing by injection moulding
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock for a flap or a door, with a lock housing, a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch (4) and at least one pawl (6), and at least one spring (23) which is capable of pivoting a pivotable component of the lock from a starting position in the direction of an end position by means of spring force, characterized in that the spring (23) is held by a bearing stud (22) which is connected integrally to the lock housing (25) of the lock, and wherein the bearing stud has a stop (24) for the spring, and/or wherein the bearing stud (22) is connected integrally to the stop (24), wherein the stop (24) has the effect that the pivotable component is not spring-loaded in the end position thereof.