Plastic Hatch Lock with Elastic Cushion for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locks for movable hatches in automotive construction are typically heavy due to their metal composition and require excessive sturdiness to withstand both tensile and compressive stresses, failing to effectively compensate for tolerances between fittings.
Innovation Solution
The use of plastic fittings with an elastically deformable compensating cushion that generates a bias in the locked position, allowing only tensile stress and enabling tolerance compensation through adjustable spacing increments, resulting in a lightweight yet strong lock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal fittings are used to ensure strength and withstand tensile and compressive stresses, then the lock is strong and reliable, but the lock becomes heavy and requires excessive sturdiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight-to-strength ratio. Plastic fittings achieve sufficient strength while dramatically reducing weight compared to metal alternatives
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic compensating cushion acts as an intermediary element between the plastic fittings, providing the necessary mechanical support and stress distribution. This mediator enables plastic materials to achieve metal-like structural performance without the weight penalty
2Reliability
If metal fittings are made excessively sturdy to withstand all stresses, then the lock is reliable under all conditions, but the lock weight increases and tolerance compensation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic compensating cushion serves as a mediator that absorbs and distributes stresses, protecting the plastic fittings from excessive loads. This intermediary element ensures reliability by preventing stress concentration while allowing the use of lighter plastic materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stress distribution pattern by introducing the elastic cushion, which transforms point loads into distributed forces. This parameter change in stress distribution enables reliable operation with lighter materials
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid metal fittings are used, then the structural integrity is maintained, but tolerance compensation between fittings becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rigidity parameter of the fittings from rigid (metal) to flexible (plastic with elastic cushion). This parameter change enables the structure to adapt to tolerance variations while maintaining overall structural integrity through the deformable compensating mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic compensating cushion introduces dynamic flexibility to the system, allowing the fittings to adjust their position and absorb tolerance variations. This dynamic element maintains structural integrity while accommodating manufacturing tolerances
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
The solution provides a lightweight and strong lock that effectively compensates for tolerances and reduces the need for excessive sturdiness, ensuring reliable engagement while maintaining adjustability and paintwork protection.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable compensating cushion is present, which is fastened to one fitting and when the fittings are in the locked position is disposed deformed between the fittings such that it exerts a bias on the fittings
Data Source
AI summary
A lock for releasably locking a movable hatch to a counterpart is equipped with a fitting (1) having a locking assembly (21) and an additional fitting (2) having an additional locking assembly (28) that can be brought into engagement with the locking assembly (21) of the other fitting (1). The fittings (1, 2) are made of plastic and an elastically deformable compensating cushion (7) is present, which is fastened to one fitting (1, 2) and which when the fittings (1, 2) are in the locked position is disposed deformed between the fittings (1, 2) such that it exerts a bias on them (1, 2). The inventive lock is therefore light but strong and compensates tolerances.