Pyrotechnic Latching System for Crash-Resistant Door Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching systems for motor vehicles fail to reliably prevent unintentional opening of doors or flaps during crashes, due to deformities and unfavorable forces, which compromises safety features like airbags and lateral impact protection.
Innovation Solution
A latching system incorporating a pyrotechnic gas generator that triggers during crashes to move a blocking element into a blocking position, preventing the locking mechanism from opening, and is designed to withstand excessive acceleration forces without triggering under normal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional blocking device is used in the latching system, then the structure remains simple, but the device fails to reliably prevent unintentional opening during crashes due to deformities and unfavorable forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical blocking device with a pyrotechnic gas generator. The gas generator uses chemical energy conversion to produce gas pressure that acts on a piston, which in turn moves the blocking element into the blocking position. This substitution of mechanical activation with a pyrotechnic system resolves the reliability issue by providing a more robust crash-responsive mechanism that overcomes deformities and unfavorable forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the activation parameter from mechanical force to chemical energy conversion. The pyrotechnic gas generator detects crash conditions through acceleration sensors and converts chemical energy into gas pressure, which then moves the blocking element. This parameter change enables more reliable blocking action under crash conditions where mechanical systems fail.
2Reliability
If the blocking device is activated by normal acceleration forces, then it can respond to gentle movements, but it triggers falsely during normal vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation threshold parameter from low acceleration to high acceleration. The pyrotechnic gas generator is designed to activate only when acceleration exceeds a specific threshold indicative of a crash, not normal vehicle operation. This parameter adjustment eliminates false triggering while maintaining reliable crash detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates acceleration sensors that provide feedback to the control unit, which monitors acceleration patterns to distinguish between normal vehicle operation and crash conditions. The control unit processes sensor data and activates the pyrotechnic gas generator only when crash conditions are confirmed, preventing false triggering while ensuring reliable crash response.
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 system effectively and reliably prevents unscheduled opening of the latching system during crashes, enhancing safety by ensuring the door or flap remains closed, even under high acceleration forces, thus maintaining the integrity of safety devices.
Implementation Method 1
a gas generator and in particular a pyrotechnic gas generator which can be triggered by a crash
Implementation Method 2
moves a blocking element into a blocking position
Data Source
AI summary
A latching device with a blocking device that is capable of preventing unintentional opening of a door or a flap in the case of a crash. The blocking device includes a pyrotechnic gas generator. The pyrotechnic gas generator triggers in the case of a crash and moves a blocking element into a blocking position which prevents opening of the locking mechanism of the latching device.