Motor Vehicle Lock Striker With Direction-Dependent Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lock strikers for motor vehicle body locks face a conflict between achieving moderate stiffness for closing and effective vibratory decoupling, as existing elastic elements do not differentiate stiffness in transverse and vertical directions, leading to compromised performance in noise reduction and position tolerance compensation.
Innovation Solution
A lock striker design featuring a striker plate with two connected sections, where the stiffness in the load direction is less than orthogonal to the load, achieved through elastic connection and specific geometry and material combinations, allowing for direction-dependent stiffness and vibrational decoupling, with optional spring means and damping elements for further adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If elastic elements are added to the lock striker for vibratory decoupling, then noise is reduced and position tolerances are compensated, but the stiffness in the closing direction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The striker plate is designed with non-uniform thickness, creating different stiffness characteristics in different directions. The thickness varies from 2mm to 5mm, providing higher stiffness in the closing direction (load direction) while maintaining lower stiffness in transverse directions for effective vibratory decoupling and noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic connection between the first and second striker plate sections creates asymmetric stiffness properties. The connection allows greater flexibility in transverse directions compared to the load direction, enabling the system to differentiate between closing forces and vibratory movements, thus reducing noise while maintaining locking functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If elastic elements are added to the lock striker for vibratory decoupling, then position tolerances are compensated, but the locking precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The striker plate incorporates localized elastic elements (spring fingers) at specific positions to compensate for position tolerances. These elastic elements are strategically placed to absorb dimensional variations while the overall plate geometry maintains precise locking characteristics, thus compensating tolerances without sacrificing locking precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic connection between striker plate sections provides dynamic compliance that adapts to position variations. The spring fingers can deflect to accommodate tolerance variations during assembly, while the rigid portions of the striker plate maintain precise geometric relationships for accurate locking, enabling both tolerance compensation and precision.
3Reliability
If the striker plate sections are connected rigidly, then the locking function is strong, but vibratory noises are not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The striker plate combines rigid and elastic regions: the main plate body and striker sections maintain rigid geometry for reliable locking, while the connecting fingers between sections are designed as elastic elements. This local differentiation allows the locking surfaces to remain precise while the elastic connections absorb vibrations and reduce noises.
Solution Approach 2:
The striker plate is segmented into multiple sections (first striker plate section, second striker plate section, and spring fingers) connected by elastic elements. This segmentation allows different parts to fulfill different functions: rigid sections provide structural integrity and locking precision, while elastic connecting sections provide vibratory decoupling and noise reduction.
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 design enables effective direction-dependent stiffness, reducing noise and accommodating position tolerances, while allowing for mass production with individualized adaptation through spring and damping means, enhancing the motor vehicle body lock's performance in various operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first striker plate section and the second striker plate section are connected, preferably elastically, to one another, and such that the stiffness of the striker plate in the direction of the load is less than in a direction orthogonal to the load
Implementation Method 2
a damping means, particularly preferably a damping means manufactured from a plastic, in particular from a polymer, is situated on the connecting section
Data Source
AI summary
A lock striker of a motor vehicle body lock includes a striker. The striker is arranged on a striker plate. The striker has a striker section which is configured to admit a load. The striker plate has a first striker plate section which is configured to be connected to a body component. The striker plate has a second striker plate section on which the striker is arranged. The first striker plate section and the second striker plate section are connected to one another. A stiffness of the striker plate in the direction of the load is less than in a direction orthogonal to the load.