Motor Vehicle Lock Electrical Blocking for Theft-Proof State

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing motor vehicle lock systems face a safety risk due to the possibility of triggering an undesirable lock-in state when the supply voltage fails, particularly when the lock mechanism is in the 'theft-proof' state, leading to reduced operational security.

Innovation Solution

The motorized lifting of the pawl is electrically blocked as long as the lock mechanism is in the 'theft-proof' state, using a control arrangement or a status switch connected to the power circuit of the opening drive to prevent accidental locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lock mechanism is equipped with motorized release function for convenient operation, then user convenience is improved, but the risk of undesirable lock-in state increases when power supply fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotorized release functionVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control arrangement proactively prevents the harmful effect by blocking the motorized release function when the lock mechanism is in the theft-proof state (DL), before a power failure can cause an undesirable lock-in state. This preliminary protective action eliminates the risk without requiring additional emergency release mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the lock state through feedback from the lock mechanism and adjusts the availability of the motorized release function accordingly. When the lock is in the theft-proof state, the feedback signal triggers the control arrangement to block the motorized release, ensuring safe operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual release mechanism is provided for emergency opening, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency release capabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the emergency release function with the existing door handles, merging the manual release mechanism into the standard operating components. The exterior and interior door handles already exist in the lock system, so adding emergency release functionality to them does not significantly increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If control arrangement is added to monitor lock state and block motorized release, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelock state monitoringVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control arrangement is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors the lock state, determines when motorized release should be blocked, and controls the opening drive. By making the control system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2570573B2Motor vehicle lock
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2570573B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2570573B2 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with locking elements such as a latch (1) and a locking pawl (2), wherein an electric opening drive (4) is provided for motorized release of the locking pawl (2), and wherein a locking mechanism (6) is provided for manual release of the locking pawl (2) from the outside and from the inside via an external door handle (7) and an internal door handle (8). It is proposed that the arrangement be such that the motorized release of the locking pawl (2) is electrically blocked as long as the locking mechanism (6) is in the locked state DL.