Spring Accumulator for Emergency Vehicle Lock Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle latches require significant time and electrical energy to transition from normal operation to emergency or breakdown operation, where mechanical opening is necessary, often failing due to power outages or accidents.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a mechanical energy storage device, such as a compressed air or spring-based system, that allows the latch to be shifted from normal to breakdown operation using stored energy, enabling mechanical opening without electrical power, along with an electrical control to rapidly recognize breakdowns and initiate this shift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrical drive is used to open the latch in normal operation, then the latch can be opened reliably with sufficient force, but the system requires electrical energy and time to transition to emergency operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring accumulator is pre-charged during normal operation (when electrical power is available) by winding the spring through the electrical drive. This stores mechanical energy in advance so that in emergency situations, the latch can be opened immediately using the stored spring energy without requiring electrical power at the moment of opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring-based mechanical energy storage system (analogous to pneumatic/hydraulic energy storage) to accumulate and release mechanical energy on demand, replacing the need for continuous electrical power supply during emergency operation.
2Speed
If the latch transitions to breakdown operation quickly, then emergency opening can be achieved rapidly, but significant electrical energy is consumed during the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the energy-intensive action of charging the spring accumulator during normal operation periods when electrical power is abundant, rather than attempting to charge it rapidly during emergencies when power may be limited or time-critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical drive serves dual purposes: it opens the latch during normal operation and simultaneously charges the spring accumulator during the same operational period, making efficient use of the electrical energy consumed.
3Reliability
If a mechanical energy storage device is added to enable emergency operation, then the latch can be opened without electrical power in emergencies, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring accumulator and associated mechanism are designed to serve multiple functions: storing energy for emergency operation, assisting during normal operation, and potentially providing force multiplication. This justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single added subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring accumulator acts as an intermediary energy storage element between the electrical drive and the latch mechanism, decoupling the electrical power supply from the mechanical opening action and enabling operation under different power conditions.
4Reliability
If the spring accumulator is pre-charged during normal operation, then energy is available for emergency opening, but the charging process takes time and electrical energy
Solution Approach 1:
The spring accumulator is charged during normal operation periods when electrical power is available, performing the energy storage action in advance before emergency situations occur. This eliminates the need for rapid charging during critical emergency moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring charging process can occur continuously or periodically during normal operation, ensuring the accumulator is always ready or near-ready for emergency use, rather than being charged only when needed.
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
This solution significantly reduces the time and energy required to open the latch in emergency situations, allowing mechanical operation within milliseconds and minimizing the risk of power supply failures, with the potential to open doors or flaps from outside or inside depending on the design.
Implementation Method 1
The latch (17) comprises a mechanical energy storage device (1) to shift the latch (17) from normal operation to breakdown operation
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical energy storage device comprises a spring (1) of the type with two arms (2, 3)
Implementation Method 3
with an electrical drive for electrical opening of the latch
Data Source
AI summary
The problem addressed by the invention is that of being to switch a motor vehicle lock from normal operation to emergency or disruption operation within an especially short time and/or with the least possible expenditure of electrical energy. This problem is solved in that a lock for a motor vehicle having a lock mechanism and an electric drive is provided such that the lock can be electrically opened in normal operation. The lock has an additional operating state, called disrupted operation. In disrupted operation, the lock can be opened mechanically, which is not possible in normal operation. The lock comprises a mechanical energy accumulator for switching the lock from normal operation to disrupted operation.