Tailgate Lock Rotary Latch for Heavy-Load Secure Pre-Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks, particularly those for tailgates, face challenges in securely latching under heavy loads and require a large number of components, which increases complexity and weight.
Innovation Solution
A compact locking mechanism using a rotary latch with an angled region on its metal main body as a pre-latching element, interacting with a pre-latching pawl and a closing pawl to achieve secure latching positions with minimal components, including a pre-latching and main latching position, and a snow load function to maintain secure latching under heavy loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of components are used to ensure secure latching under heavy loads, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pre-latching element and the main latching element into a single integrated rotary latch component. The angled region on the rotary latch serves as the pre-latching element, while the flat region serves as the main latching element, eliminating the need for separate pre-latching and main latching components. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining secure latching functionality under heavy loads through the coordinated action of the integrated elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary latch is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple latching functions. The same rotary latch component provides both pre-latching (via its angled region) and main latching (via its flat region) functions. This universal design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable latching under heavy loads.
2Reliability
If a large number of components are used to ensure secure latching under heavy loads, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pre-latching element and main latching element into a single rotary latch component, eliminating the need for separate components. This consolidation directly reduces the total weight of the locking mechanism while maintaining the reliability required for secure latching under heavy loads through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary latch is designed as a universal component that performs both pre-latching and main latching functions. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable latching under heavy loads without requiring additional separate components, thereby minimizing the overall weight of the locking mechanism.
3Device complexity
If minimal components are used to reduce complexity and weight, then device complexity and weight are reduced, but reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves minimal component count by merging the pre-latching element and main latching element into a single rotary latch. The angled region and flat region of this integrated component work together to provide both pre-latching and main latching functions, ensuring reliable latching under heavy loads despite the reduced number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary latch is designed as a universal component that performs multiple latching functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality ensures that despite using minimal components, the system maintains high reliability for latching under heavy loads, as the single component must accommodate and execute multiple critical functions.
4Weight of moving object
If minimal components are used to reduce complexity and weight, then device complexity and weight are reduced, but latching security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces weight by merging the pre-latching element and main latching element into a single rotary latch component. The integrated design ensures that latching security is maintained through the coordinated action of the angled and flat regions within the same component, eliminating the need for additional separate components that would increase weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary latch is designed as a universal component that performs both pre-latching and main latching functions. This multi-functionality ensures that latching security is not compromised despite the minimal component count, as the single component must provide both levels of latching security required for heavy loads.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a tailgate lock, comprising a locking mechanism (2) consisting of a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4, 5), wherein the rotary latch (3) can be latched in a pre-latching position and in a main latching position, a pre-latching pawl (4) and a main latching pawl (5), wherein a pre-latching element (17) of the locking mechanism (2) is formed by an angled region of a metal main body (18) of the rotary latch (3), and wherein the angled region (17) can be placed in engagement with a closing pawl (25) of a closing device (23).