Motor Vehicle Lock Crash Detection Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motor vehicle lock arrangements face challenges in crash safety during side crashes due to the deflection and jamming of Bowden cables, which can lead to undesired opening of the lock, compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a crash detection element that transmits pulling forces to a control mechanism to disable the door handle during a crash-induced deformation, ensuring the actuation lever cannot deflect the lock element, thereby enhancing crash safety by preventing unintended lock opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a Bowden cable is used to transmit force from the door handle to the actuation lever, then the door can be opened normally, but during a side crash the cable may be deflected laterally causing undesired opening of the lock
Solution Approach 1:
A control mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the actuation lever and the lock element. This control mechanism includes a control element that can be acted upon by the Bowden cable, but separately controls the locking action through a locking element, decoupling the force transmission from direct lock actuation and enabling independent crash detection and response
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism is designed to detect crash-induced deflection of the Bowden cable and preemptively prevent the lock element from being actuated. By detecting the lateral deflection as a crash indicator, the system counteracts the potential harmful effect before it can cause undesired lock opening
2Force
If the Bowden cable extends through the door during normal operation, then it can transmit force effectively, but during a side crash the cable may get jammed and function only as a simple rope increasing deflection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism serves as a mediator that separates the force transmission function from the lock actuation function. The control element receives force from the Bowden cable during normal operation, but during a crash, the control mechanism interprets the abnormal force pattern as a crash signal and prevents lock actuation, resolving the contradiction between force transmission and crash detection
3Device complexity
If the actuation lever is directly coupled to the lock element, then the locking mechanism is simple, but during a crash the lever may be deflected causing lock opening
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into functionally independent elements: an actuation lever for receiving input, a control element for detecting crash conditions, a control mechanism for decision-making, and a locking element for actual lock engagement. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between normal actuation forces and crash-induced deflections, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism introduces dynamic control to the previously static direct coupling. The control element can change the state of coupling between the actuation lever and locking element based on detected conditions, enabling the system to adapt its behavior during normal operation versus crash conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lock arrangement for a vehicle door, having a vehicle lock with a lock element such as a pawl, at least one actuation lever to deflect the lock element and thereby to open the vehicle lock, and at least one elongate force transmission element, which couples the at least one actuation lever to a respective door handle. At least one crash detection element in the form of an elongate force transmission element for the transmission of pulling forces is provided, which in the installed state extends through a part of the motor vehicle door and is coupled to a control mechanism, which control mechanism may be switched to a disabling state.