Sliding Door Lock Actuation Stroke Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor vehicle sliding door lock arrangements often result in insecure latching of door locks during the opening or closing of sliding doors due to the actuation drive train's inability to differentiate between the opening and closing movements, leading to unnecessary actuation of holding locks.

Innovation Solution

The actuation stroke of the door handle is divided into two sections, where the door locks are actuated only during the first section and not during the second section, using a coupling element that is deflected during the first stroke and returns to a neutral position during the second stroke, allowing for simplified mechanical structure and secure latching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuation drive train continuously actuates door locks during the entire door handle actuation stroke, then the door locks remain secured during door movement, but the mechanical structure becomes complex and may cause unintended latching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure latchingVSAvoidactuation drive train structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation stroke is divided into two distinct sections: a first section where the coupling element is deflected to actuate door locks, and a second section where the coupling element returns to neutral position without actuating door locks. This segmentation allows the system to provide secure latching only when needed during door operation, avoiding unnecessary complexity in the actuation drive train while maintaining reliable door lock engagement during the critical initial phase of door movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If different actuation mechanisms are provided for different door locks to prevent unintended latching, then secure latching is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure latchingVSAvoidactuation mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element is designed to dynamically change its functional state during the actuation stroke. During the first section, it is deflected to engage and actuate door locks. During the second section, it returns to a neutral position where it no longer actuates the door locks. This dynamic behavior allows a single actuation mechanism to selectively control door lock engagement based on the phase of door operation, avoiding the need for multiple separate actuation mechanisms while maintaining secure latching reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4062017B1Motor vehicle door lock arrangement for a sliding door of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 PRESSAN MADENI ESYA SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP4062017B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4062017B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP4062017B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock arrangement (1) comprising a door handle module (4) with a door handle (5), wherein the door handle (5) can be actuated by a first actuation, wherein door locks (6, 7) each comprise an actuation element (14), whereby the first actuation is transmitted to the actuation elements (14), wherein the first actuation comprises a first actuation stroke. It is proposed that the first actuation stroke is divided into a first and a second stroke section (17, 18), the first stroke section (17) being followed by the second stroke section (18), and that during the first actuation stroke of the door handle (5) the actuation elements (14) are actuated during the first stroke section (17) of the first actuation stroke and are not actuated during the second stroke section (18) of the first actuation stroke.