Sheet Metal Lock Holder for Crash Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle locks have complex structures with multiple components, requiring precise positioning and additional processing steps for secure installation and operation, which increases production costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle lock holder is produced by punching and folding a sheet metal central plate into a base plate and locking retainer pin, with retaining bores and notches created simultaneously, forming a stable, one-piece component that eliminates the need for further processing and enhances crash resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If lock holders are produced as multi-component assemblies with brackets and retaining bolts, then structural stability and crash resistance are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrash resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components (base plate, locking retainer bolt, brackets, and retaining holes) into a single integrated lock holder produced from one piece of sheet metal. This merging eliminates the need for separate retaining bolts and brackets while maintaining structural stability and crash resistance through the unified construction and folding geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock holder is segmented into functional zones within a single piece of sheet metal: the base plate area for mounting, the folded locking retainer bolt portion, and integrated retaining holes. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently while maintaining overall structural integrity through the one-piece construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If lock holders are produced as multi-component assemblies requiring precise positioning, then installation security is improved, but manufacturing time and post-processing effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation securityVSAvoidpost-processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining holes and locking retainer bolt features are pre-formed during the initial sheet metal punching and folding process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent post-processing steps to create these features, reducing manufacturing time while ensuring precise positioning is achieved during the forming process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The production of retaining holes, locking retainer bolt, and base plate mounting features are merged into a single stamping and folding operation. This combining of operations eliminates multiple sequential steps and reduces cumulative positioning errors that would occur with separate component assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional two-part lock holder construction is used, then structural stability is improved, but production cost-effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the base plate and locking retainer bolt into a single one-piece construction produced by stamping and folding sheet metal. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing of multiple components and their subsequent assembly, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining structural stability through the integrated design and folding geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the manufacturing parameter from multi-step assembly of separate components to a single-step stamping and folding process. This parameter change in the manufacturing method reduces production complexity and cost while the folding process itself creates the necessary three-dimensional structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a cost-effective, stable, and easily installable lock holder that can be produced in both large and small quantities, ensuring secure engagement with the locking mechanism and improved crash safety without additional work steps.

Implementation Method 1

the punched-out central plate is folded to form the horizontal base plate and the locking retainer pin that is approximately vertical thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFolding: Folding

Data Source

PatentEP2270295B1Striker in the form of a cut sheet metal
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 KIEKERT AG
  • EP2270295B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2270295B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2270295B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The lock (1) has a lock holder (7) with a baseplate that is fixed at a lock housing (2). The holder has a locking holder bolt cooperating with a safety catch (3). The baseplate includes retaining drillings, where the locking holder bolt and the baseplate are punched from a sheet metal. A punched central sheet metal plate, horizontal baseplate and the locking holder bolt are folded, and the bolt is approximately perpendicular to the baseplate. The central sheet metal plate is centrically and downwardly folded in the area of retaining drillings. U-shaped covers are folded outwardly.