Motor Vehicle Door Lock Single Drive Motor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door locks with separate drive motors for locking and anti-theft mechanisms are costly to produce and maintain, and there is a need for a simpler and more cost-effective design that allows independent control of multiple lock functions.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door lock design utilizing a single drive motor with two coupling elements to independently control the first and second levers into their respective functional positions, mimicking the operation of separate drive motors for each lever, thereby reducing production costs and maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single drive motor is used to control both locking and anti-theft mechanisms, then production costs are reduced, but the complexity of controlling multiple functions with one motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is segmented into two distinct coupling elements (first coupling element and second coupling element) that can independently engage with the first lever and second lever respectively. This segmentation allows a single drive motor to control multiple functions through separate engagement points, reducing the need for multiple motors while maintaining functional independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed with multi-functionality to perform both locking and anti-theft operations using a single drive motor. By incorporating multiple coupling elements that can selectively engage different levers, the actuator becomes a universal control mechanism that replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated motors for each function.
2Ease of operation
If separate drive motors are used for locking and anti-theft levers, then independent control is simplified, but production and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into separate coupling elements within a single actuator, allowing independent engagement and control of each lever. This maintains the independent control capability of separate motors while consolidating them into one unit, thereby reducing production costs without sacrificing operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements act as intermediaries between the single drive motor and the multiple levers. These intermediaries enable selective power transmission to different levers based on operational requirements, facilitating independent control while using a unified drive system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coupling elements are introduced to connect levers to the actuator, then selective control is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coupling elements are merged into a single integrated actuator assembly rather than being separate components. This combining approach enables selective control of different levers while avoiding the structural complexity that would arise from having separate coupling mechanisms for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
The motor vehicle lock has two levers (1,2), each acting on the lock setting unit (5) through a coupling (7) to move between two function settings. The two levers act independently of each other to move the setting unit between its two settings.