Automotive Roof Lock Hook with Segmented Buffering Member

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing openable body lock structures for automobiles, such as retractable roofs, face issues with misalignment and noise due to the fatigue of buffering parts and inadequate shock absorption, leading to discomfort for occupants.

Innovation Solution

An openable body lock structure with a peg-shaped hook member and a drive part that includes a buffering part with elasticity, allowing the hook member to turn and engage with an engaged member while absorbing shock and preventing fatigue, thereby reducing noise and misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the buffering part is made soft to absorb shock, then noise suppression is improved, but fatigue occurs easily leading to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidmisalignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering function is segmented from the hook member by introducing a separate buffering member (rubber member 32) that is coupled to the hook member. This allows the hook member to maintain structural integrity for reliable engagement while the separate buffering member absorbs shock and suppresses noise, preventing fatigue-induced misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock structure uses composite materials by combining the hook member (metal) with a buffering member (rubber). This composite construction allows the metal hook member to provide strong, fatigue-resistant engagement while the rubber buffering member absorbs shock and suppresses noise, resolving the contradiction between noise suppression and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the buffering part is made hard to suppress fatigue, then misalignment is reduced, but shock absorption is insufficient causing noise

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemisalignmentVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering function is segmented from the hook member by introducing a separate buffering member (rubber member 32) that is coupled to the hook member. This allows the hook member to maintain structural integrity for reliable engagement while the separate buffering member absorbs shock and suppresses noise, preventing fatigue-induced misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock structure uses composite materials by combining the hook member (metal) with a buffering member (rubber). This composite construction allows the metal hook member to provide strong, fatigue-resistant engagement while the rubber buffering member absorbs shock and suppresses noise, resolving the contradiction between noise suppression and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the buffering part is always pressed during engagement, then shock is absorbed, but fatigue occurs leading to clearance variation and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveshockVSAvoidmisalignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering member is preliminarily positioned to contact the engaged member before the hook member's leading end portion engages with the engaged member. This preliminary action allows the buffering member to absorb the shock of engagement while the hook member maintains proper clearance and alignment, preventing fatigue-induced misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively suppresses noise and misalignment by absorbing shock through the buffering part, ensuring stable engagement and preventing fatigue, thus enhancing the comfort and reliability of the openable body lock mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The hook member includes a buffering part which has elasticity and is abutted with the engaged member in the predetermined turning direction in a state that the leading end portion is not engaged with the engaged member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10618393B2Openable body lock structure for automobile and openable body lock method for automobile

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 WEBASTO AG

AI summary

An openable roof lock structure for an automobile includes an engaged member fixed to a front header, and an automatic lock device fixed to an openable roof, the automatic lock device being attachable to and detachable from the engaged member. The automatic lock device includes a hook member having a leading end portion in one end, the leading end portion to be engaged with the engaged member, and a drive part to which the other end of the hook member is coupled, the drive part turning the hook member to an upper side of a vehicle to engage the hook member with the engaged member. The hook member includes a buffering member that has elasticity and is abutted with the engaged member on the upper side of the vehicle in a state that the leading end portion is not engaged with the engaged member.