Vehicle Roof Locking Mechanism With Perpendicular Cam Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking mechanisms for open roof constructions in vehicles are not independent of forces acting on the movable member, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential interference from gravity and other external forces.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism where the locking lever's first cam moves into and out of a second guide part in a direction perpendicular to its primary movement, using a second cam to generate forces that maintain the locked position independently of the movable member's forces, with a flexible part allowing movement in this direction and a spring member to prevent unintended unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking mechanism uses a conventional guide structure where the locking lever moves only in the first direction, then the structure is simple, but the locking function becomes dependent on forces acting on the movable member (such as gravity)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by adding a second guide part that extends in the second direction. The first cam can now move not only in the first direction (along the first guide part) but also in the second direction (along the second guide part). This dimensional change allows the locking lever to achieve locked position independently of forces acting on the movable member, as the locking engagement occurs in a direction orthogonal to the force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure is segmented into two distinct parts: a first guide part extending in the first direction and a second guide part extending in the second direction. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to separate the driving motion (first direction) from the locking engagement motion (second direction), enabling independent control of these functions and achieving reliable locking regardless of external forces on the movable member.
2Ease of operation
If the locking lever is made entirely flexible to allow movement in the second direction, then the cam can engage the second guide part, but the complexity of connecting the locking lever to the movable member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is segmented into a flexible part containing the first and second cams, and a rigid part that remains fixed in the second direction. This segmentation allows only the necessary portion (the cam-containing part) to be flexible for engagement purposes, while the connection portion to the movable member remains rigid and simple, thus achieving locking engagement without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexibility is applied locally only to the portion of the locking lever that needs to move in the second direction for cam engagement, rather than making the entire locking lever flexible. This localized flexibility minimizes the impact on the overall structure and simplifies the connection to the movable member while still enabling the required locking motion.
3Reliability
If the locking lever moves in the second direction to engage the second guide part, then locking independence is achieved, but noise and interference from gravity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the locking engagement to the second direction (perpendicular to the first direction and substantially in a horizontal plane), the mechanism operates in a dimension where gravity has minimal effect. The second guide part is configured to receive the first cam in this orthogonal direction, allowing locking to occur independently of gravitational forces acting vertically on the movable member, thereby reducing noise and interference.
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 mechanism provides a locking function that is independent of forces on the movable member, minimizes operational complexity, and reduces noise and interference from gravity, ensuring controlled and secure locking and unlocking operations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member (14) provided for preventing a movement of the locking lever (8) in said second direction (4") once the first cam (9) has entered the second guide part (5) of the first guide (3)
Data Source
AI summary
A locking mechanism for a movable member of an open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a stationary part which is provided with a first guide, a locking lever movable in a first direction for driving said movable member and for locking it in a predetermined position and an operating part movable in said first direction for controlling the movement of the locking lever. The locking lever comprises a first cam cooperating with the first guide, which first guide comprises a first guide part extending in a direction substantially in parallel to said first direction of movement of the locking lever and a second guide part connecting to said first guide part in a second direction and capable of receiving the first cam of the locking lever for preventing a further movement of the locking lever in said first direction. The operating part (which may comprise a second guide cooperating with a second cam provided on the locking lever), is capable of generating a force on the locking lever in/opposite the second direction when the operating part is moved in a first/second sense along said first direction, such that the first cam can move into/out of the locking second guide part of the first guide in said second direction.