Self-Locking Immobilization Lever for Vehicle Lock Rattle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks with rotary latches and pawls experience rattling noises and separation issues due to dynamic load changes, especially at low sealing pressures, which compromise the secure closure and ease of opening.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a two-part immobilization lever with a self-locking outer contour, including a curved or inclined stop surface, that securely holds the locking element in the rotary latch without rattling, replacing conventional resilient lock buffers and providing temperature-independent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional resilient lock buffers or sealing elements are used to hold the locking element, then the lock can operate with simpler structure, but rattling noises occur and the engagement becomes insecure at low sealing pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The immobilization lever is designed to be self-locking through its outer contour that engages with the locking element. The lever automatically maintains the locking element in the closed position without requiring additional resilient buffers or sealing elements, eliminating rattling noises while ensuring secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The immobilization lever features a curved outer contour with an inclined stop surface that engages with the locking element. This curved geometry creates a self-locking mechanism where the lever naturally maintains engagement through its shape, preventing separation due to dynamic load changes and eliminating the need for separate buffering elements.
2Ease of operation
If resilient lock buffers are used to cushion the locking element, then the structure can be simpler, but the operation becomes less reliable at low sealing pressures and dynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The immobilization lever is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to respond to varying sealing pressures and dynamic loads. The self-locking outer contour adapts to load changes while maintaining reliable engagement, and the lever can be easily opened when needed through the coupling mechanism with the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If soft resilient elements are used to hold the locking element, then the initial structure is simpler, but the solution becomes temperature-dependent and less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The immobilization lever is designed as an overmoulded metal part, combining a metal core (steel part) with an overmoulded material. This composite structure provides temperature independence from the metal core while the overmoulded material allows for integrated成型 of the self-locking outer contour, balancing reliability across temperatures with manageable structural complexity.
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 prevents rattling noises and ensures a secure, self-locking engagement of the locking element, maintaining a closed position with minimal noise and improved tolerance compensation, while allowing easy opening and re-engagement of the immobilization lever.
Implementation Method 1
The immobilisation lever has an outer contour which holds the locking element in the closed position in the rotary latch in a self-locking manner
Implementation Method 2
The locking element is pressed against the rotary latch by means of the immobilization lever and is held in a clamping manner
Implementation Method 3
The outer contour is designed as an eccentric contour. The outer contour has in particular a curved and/or inclined stop or wedge surface which presses against the closing element in the closed position
Implementation Method 4
The immobilization lever is designed in two or more parts. This enables a functional separation of immobilization of the closing element and triggering or opening of the immobilization lever
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lock (1), in particular for a backrest or a tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprising at least: one rotary latch (2) having a closing element (4), an associated locking mechanism (3), in particular a pawl (3.1, 3.2), for locking the rotary latch (2) in a closed position of the lock (1), in which the rotary latch (2) and the closing element (4) are coupled in a closing manner, and an immobilization lever (5), which is coupled to the locking mechanism (3), wherein the immobilization lever (5) has an outer contour, which holds the closing element (4) in the closed position of the lock (1) in the rotary latch (2) in a self-locking manner.