Movable Inert Mass Actuator for Vehicle Door Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door latch activation devices in motor vehicles are prone to unintentional opening during crashes due to high acceleration forces, compromising safety by potentially disabling airbag and impact protection systems, and require significant energy for intentional opening.
Innovation Solution
An activation device with a movably located inert mass that changes lever ratios to prevent unintentional opening at high accelerations while allowing convenient intentional opening with reduced energy expenditure, featuring a spring mechanism and changing application point to manage force and torque requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a movable inert mass is used to prevent unintentional opening during crashes, then safety is improved, but the force and energy required to open the door intentionally increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inert mass movable rather than fixed. The inert mass can move between a first position (providing high inertia resistance to crash forces) and a second position (reducing inertia resistance for easy door opening). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its mass distribution based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between crash protection and ease of opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and position parameters of the inert mass to resolve the contradiction. By moving the inert mass between different positions (first position for crash protection, second position for easy opening), the system dynamically adjusts its inertial properties. This parameter change allows the same mass to provide high resistance during crashes while requiring minimal force during intentional opening operations.
2Reliability
If the inert mass is moved quickly enough during operation, then unintentional opening is prevented, but the energy expenditure for intentional opening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically reconfigures the inert mass position based on operational state. During normal operation, the inert mass is positioned to provide minimal resistance. During crash conditions, it automatically moves to provide maximum inertia resistance. This dynamic adaptation ensures that energy expenditure during intentional opening remains low while still preventing unintentional opening during crashes.
Solution Approach 2:
The inert mass is pre-positioned in a state that facilitates easy opening under normal conditions. The system prepares the inert mass in advance to be in the optimal position for intentional opening operations, reducing the energy required. Only when crash conditions are detected does the system reposition the inert mass to provide protective inertia, avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure during normal operation.
3Device complexity
If a fixed inert mass is used, then the structure is simpler, but the ease of operation for intentional opening is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the inert mass from a fixed static component to a dynamic movable component. This allows the system to maintain structural simplicity while achieving ease of operation. The movable inert mass can be repositioned to minimize resistance during opening operations, making the door easy to open, while still providing crash protection when needed. The dynamic capability is achieved without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
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
Prevents unintentional door opening during crashes while enabling easy, low-energy intentional opening by adjusting lever ratios and using a spring mechanism to manage force and torque, ensuring safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism and changing application point to manage force and torque requirements
Implementation Method 2
a movably located inert mass for prevention of unintentional opening of a door or a flap on exceeding a specified acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating device for opening a door or flap, comprising a movably supported inertial mass (7, 9) for avoiding unintentional opening of the door or flap in the event that a specified acceleration is exceeded. Levers are provided for moving the inertial mass (7, 9). When the inertial mass (7, 9) is moved out of an initial position of the inertial mass, the lever ratios change in such a way that the force progression is thereby promoted. In the event of a crash, the opening of a door or flap is avoided by means of the actuating device. The actuating device can nevertheless be actuated relatively comfortably with low expenditure of energy.