Motor Vehicle Lock Actuation Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks have complex and non-compact structural designs due to the need for bidirectional drive trains to manage opening and closing functions, which complicates the actuation mechanism and increases the size of the lock system.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lock with a simplified actuation arrangement featuring two unidirectional actuating elements, each with a permanently assigned direction, allowing independent operation and separate drive trains for opening and closing movements, utilizing Bowden cables for efficient pulling movements to implement comfort functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bidirectional drive train is used to manage opening and closing functions, then the lock can perform motorized comfort functions, but the structural design becomes complex and non-compact
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is segmented into two separate unidirectional drive trains: a first drive train for opening movements and a second drive train for closing movements. Each drive train has a dedicated actuating element with a fixed actuation direction, eliminating the need for a complex bidirectional drive train while maintaining all motorized comfort functions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single bidirectional actuator that must reverse direction, the invention inverts the approach by using two unidirectional actuators, each optimized for one direction of movement. The opening actuator only pulls for opening movements, and the closing actuator only pulls for closing movements, simplifying the mechanical design of each individual actuator
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bidirectional drive train is used for opening and closing functions, then the lock can implement comfort functions, but the drive mechanism size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drive mechanism into two separate unidirectional drive trains, each with its own actuating element, the overall system becomes more compact. Each unidirectional actuator can be smaller and simpler than a bidirectional actuator, and they can be arranged in a space-efficient manner within the lock assembly
3Device complexity
If unidirectional actuating elements with fixed actuation direction are used, then the drive train complexity is reduced, but the actuation mechanism requires separate drive trains for opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into separate drive trains actually enhances adaptability by allowing independent actuation of opening and closing functions. Each drive train can be independently controlled, enabling flexible implementation of comfort functions such as automated opening, automated closing, or holding the door in intermediate positions
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves dynamic versatility through independent control of the two unidirectional actuating elements. The control system can dynamically decide when to actuate each element based on sensor input and desired functionality, providing adaptive response to various operating conditions while maintaining simple mechanical actuator designs
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with a lock latch (5) pivotable about a latch axis (5a) and a locking pawl (7) associated with the lock latch (5) pivotable about a locking pawl axis (7a), wherein the lock latch (5) can be brought into a main locking position and optionally into a pre-locking position, wherein the motor vehicle lock (2) has an actuating arrangement (8) by the actuating of which a closing movement (9) and an opening movement (10) of the lock latch (5) as well as an opening movement (11) of the locking pawl (7) can be generated.It is proposed that the actuating arrangement (8) has a first actuating element (12) with a fixed actuating direction (13) and a separately actuating, second actuating element (14) with a fixed actuating direction (15) and that, depending on the actuating of the two actuating elements (12, 14) in the respective assigned actuating direction (13, 15), the closing movement (9), the opening movement (10) and the opening movement (11) can be generated.