Rotating Latch Lock Flange Prevents Pawl Return
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating latch locks for vehicle trunks often automatically return to the locked position due to a spring, preventing trunk opening if the latch is not sufficiently moved from its closed position after the lock is operated, leading to mechanical solutions like snow load levers which can be inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A rotating latch lock design featuring a movable arm with a flange that temporarily bends on a smooth surface of the latch, allowing the pawl to remain in the release position, and a third spring to prevent automatic return to the locked position, ensuring the latch can open fully even when the motor stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pawl is provided with a spring to automatically return to the locked position, then the lock reliability is improved, but the trunk opening operation is hindered when the latch is not sufficiently moved
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is preliminarily positioned on the smooth surface of the latch before the pawl returns to the locked position. This preliminary positioning prevents the pawl from automatically returning to the locked position when the latch has not been sufficiently moved, thereby resolving the contradiction between lock reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The flange acts as an intermediary element between the pawl and the latch. It temporarily bends and slides on the smooth surface of the latch to prevent the pawl from returning to the locked position, mediating the interaction between the spring-driven pawl and the latch mechanism
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical snow load lever is used to prevent pawl return, then the trunk opening is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is merged with the movable arm of the pawl, combining the functions of the pawl and the snow load lever into a single component. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to prevent automatic pawl return and enable trunk opening
Solution Approach 2:
The movable arm of the pawl is given multiple functions: it acts as both the pawl for retaining the latch and as a snow load lever to prevent automatic return. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate mechanical snow load lever, reducing overall device complexity
3Reliability
If the flange is supported on the smooth surface of the latch, then the pawl return is prevented, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is designed to temporarily bend when supported on the smooth surface of the latch, introducing dynamic flexibility to the system. This dynamic characteristic allows the flange to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and wear, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining reliable pawl return prevention
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
Enables reliable trunk opening by preventing the pawl from automatically returning to the locked position, allowing the latch to fully rotate to its open position without mechanical obstruction, even after the motor stops acting, and maintains functionality even if the third spring breaks.
Implementation Method 1
the distal end of which is supported on a smooth surface of the latch adjacent to the edge thereof, temporarily bending the flange when the latch is in its closed position retained by the pawl
Implementation Method 2
the pawl being subjected to the action of a second spring which pushes it to the closed position
Implementation Method 3
said latch being stressed by a first spring in the release direction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A rotating latch lock comprising a rotatable latch suitable for retaining a closing anchor and a rotatable pawl susceptible of retaining the latch, the lock further comprising transmission means suitable for moving a movable arm of the pawl in a direction transmitting a movement to the pawl towards a latch release position, wherein the mentioned movable arm of the pawl comprises a flange the distal end of which is supported on a smooth surface of the latch adjacent to the edge thereof, temporarily bending the flange when the latch is in a closed position retained by the pawl; the length of the flange being such that its distal end slides on the mentioned smooth surface of the latch when the movable arm of the pawl is moved to push the pawl to a release position, and is released from the latch, automatically recovering its stable form, being supported against the edge of the latch and preventing the return of the movable arm and therefore of the pawl to a closed position.