Motor Vehicle Safety Device Spiral Spring Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle safety devices require significant installation space and weight due to the additional components needed for the ejection spring, which increases the overall size and weight of the lock mechanism.

Innovation Solution

Designing the ejection spring as a spiral spring allows for a narrower and more compact safety device design, eliminating the need for additional rotary latch springs and enabling direct contact with the rotary latch, thus reducing installation space and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ejection spring is arranged outside the path of the rotary latch outer circumference, then the ejection spring can function independently, but the installation space increases and the overall weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent ejection spring functionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the ejection spring's function with the rotary latch mechanism by positioning the ejection spring's leg directly on the rotary latch's outer circumference. This integration allows the ejection spring to function independently while occupying space within the existing rotary latch path, eliminating the need for separate external arrangement and reducing overall installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary latch structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the rotational locking mechanism and simultaneously serves as the mounting structure for the ejection spring. The outer circumference of the rotary latch acts as both the operational surface for locking and the contact surface for the ejection spring's leg, reducing the need for additional components and space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the ejection spring is arranged outside the path of the rotary latch outer circumference, then the ejection spring can be mounted separately, but the vehicle lock occupies a comparatively large installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparate mountingVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection spring and rotary latch are merged into a single integrated assembly where the ejection spring's leg is positioned directly on the rotary latch's outer circumference. This combination maintains ease of manufacture through modular assembly while dramatically reducing the installation space required, as the ejection spring no longer occupies external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If an additional ejection spring is added alongside the rotary latch spring, then the ejection function is enhanced, but the overall weight of the vehicle lock increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection functionVSAvoidoverall weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection spring is integrated with the rotary latch structure, merging two previously separate components into one. This integration maintains the enhanced ejection function while eliminating the weight of additional mounting hardware and reducing the overall weight through shared structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 spiral spring configuration reduces the required installation space and weight of the safety device while maintaining or improving the load capacity and operational efficiency, enhancing the compactness and performance of the motor vehicle lock mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the ejection spring is designed as a coil spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3394372B1Safety device for a motor vehicle having a rotary latch and an ejection spring
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 KIEKERT AG
  • EP3394372B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1f
  • EP3394372B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2f
  • EP3394372B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a safety device (1) for a motor vehicle, which has a striker (2), a pawl, an ejection spring (9) for ejecting the striker (2), and a rotary latch (4), wherein the rotary latch (4) has an opening direction of rotation (7), a closing direction of rotation (8), an open position, and a main locking position, wherein the ejection spring (9) has a leg (27) and the leg (27) lies directly against the striker (2) in the main locking position of the rotary latch (4) and the leg (27) lies directly against the rotary latch (4) in at least one intermediate position of the rotary latch (4), in which the rotary latch (4) is between the main locking position and the open position.