Motor Vehicle Lock Latching Element Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks with rotary latches and catches face challenges in ensuring easy and quiet unlocking, especially under maximum load conditions, due to the need to reduce force components and noise during the unlocking process.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lock design that incorporates a pivotally mounted latching element between the rotary latch and the catch, with a guide means such as a guide rib or the catch itself, to ensure continuous guidance and secure positioning of the latching element during the unlocking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the catch and rotary latch are pulled apart to unlock the locking mechanism, then the locking mechanism can be opened, but noise is produced during the parting process
Solution Approach 1:
A latching element is introduced as an intermediary component between the catch and the rotary latch. This latching element performs a rolling-off movement during unlocking, mediating the separation between the catch and rotary latch. The rolling-off process reduces the abrupt force separation that causes noise, thereby enabling easy unlocking while minimizing noise generation.
2Force
If the latching element rolls off the catch during unlocking, then the force component in the locking mechanism is reduced, but the latching element requires precise guidance over the entire range of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The catch is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the latching force during the locked state and simultaneously acts as a guide for the latching element during the rolling-off process. The guide extension on the catch works in conjunction with the latching element's geometry to ensure proper guidance without requiring separate complex guidance mechanisms, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining force reduction.
3Manufacturing precision
If the latching element is guided by a guide extension on the latching element and a casing around the rotary latch, then the latching element can be guided, but additional components increase the device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is merged into the existing catch component through the guide extension. Instead of adding a separate guidance system, the guide extension is integrated as part of the catch structure. This merging approach ensures precise positioning of the latching element during rolling-off while avoiding the increased complexity that would result from adding independent guidance components.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle, having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one catch, with a latching element arranged in an engagement region between the rotary latch and the catch, wherein the latching element can be pivoted, and at least held, on the rotary latch, and wherein at least one means for continuously guiding the latching element is provided on the motor-vehicle lock.