Motor Vehicle Lock Auxiliary Closing Lever Toggle Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle locks have limited structural flexibility due to restricted installation space, which restricts the adjustment of force paths in auxiliary locking arrangements.

Innovation Solution

The auxiliary closing lever axis is positioned between the force introduction point and the drive lever axis, allowing for additional design freedom and forming a toggle lever mechanism with the drive lever to adjust the lock latch, enabling precise control of the force transmission ratio and reducing the lock's width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the auxiliary closing lever axis is positioned between the force introduction point and the drive lever axis, then structural flexibility and design freedom are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the auxiliary closing arrangement adjustable through positioning the auxiliary closing lever axis between the force introduction point and drive lever axis. This creates a toggle lever mechanism that can be dynamically adjusted to optimize force transmission paths while maintaining structural flexibility within limited installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the drive lever and auxiliary locking lever form a toggle lever mechanism, then the force transmission ratio can be precisely controlled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmission ratio controlVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the force transmission ratio through the toggle lever mechanism. By adjusting the geometric parameters of the drive lever and auxiliary locking lever arrangement, the force transmission characteristics can be optimized while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If the auxiliary closing lever axis is positioned between the force introduction point and drive lever axis, then the lock width is reduced, but the installation space constraints become more critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelock widthVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by repositioning the auxiliary closing lever axis to create a more compact force transmission path. This spatial reconfiguration reduces the lock width in one dimension while utilizing the available installation space more efficiently through the toggle lever mechanism's geometric arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances structural flexibility, allows for precise adjustment of force paths, and reduces the lock's width, while maintaining robustness and efficiency in the auxiliary locking process.

Implementation Method 1

the auxiliary closing lever axis (13a) is located between the force introduction point (9) and the drive lever axis (8a) along a lever extension (14) of the drive lever (8)... the drive lever (8), together with the auxiliary locking lever (13), forms a toggle lever mechanism for adjusting the lock latch (5) in its closing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever mechanism: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP2987931B1Motor vehicle lock
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2987931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2987931B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2987931B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with a latch (5) which, from an open position, can be adjusted in a closing direction to at least one closed position in which it is in a holding engagement with a locking wedge (6) or the like, wherein a closing aid arrangement (7) is provided for adjusting the latch (5) in its closing direction as part of a closing aid operation, wherein the closing aid arrangement (7) has a drive lever (8) which is pivotable about a drive lever axis (8a) and on which a force application point (9) is provided, with which, at least in the assembled state, a closing aid drive (10) is coupled for introducing a drive force A, wherein the closing aid arrangement (7) has a closing aid lever (13) which is pivotably articulated to the drive lever (8) and via which a thrust force S can be introduced into the latch (5) in its closing direction as part of a closing aid operation.It is proposed that along a lever extension (14) of the drive lever the closing aid lever axis (13a) is located between the force application point (9) and the drive lever axis (8a).