Tailgate Rotary Latch with Integrated Pre-Latching Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle locks, particularly those for tailgates, face challenges in achieving a compact design with high functionality while minimizing components, weight, and noise, and ensuring secure locking under extreme conditions such as snow loads.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle lock design utilizing a rotary latch with an angled region of its metallic main body as a pre-latching element, interacting with a pre-latching and main latching pawl, and incorporating independent switch devices for precise position detection, reduces the need for additional components and ensures secure locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate bolt is used as a pre-latching element, then the locking mechanism can be implemented, but the component count and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pre-latching element function into the rotary latch itself by forming an angled region directly on the rotary latch body. This eliminates the need for a separate bolt component, reducing device complexity while maintaining the pre-latching functionality that ensures reliable locking engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary latch is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the main latching component and incorporates the pre-latching element through its angled region. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining reliable locking operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional components are added to ensure secure locking, then reliability improves, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure lockingVSAvoidlock weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the pre-latching element with the rotary latch structure, the patent eliminates unnecessary separate components, thereby reducing the overall weight of the locking mechanism while maintaining secure locking capability through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If more components are used to achieve high functionality, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionalityVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary latch is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the main latching component and incorporating the pre-latching element. This allows the single component to provide multiple locking functions, improving adaptability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260035967A1Lock for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 KIEKERT AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a tailgate lock, comprising a locking mechanism (2) having a rotary latch (3) and having at least one pawl (4, 5), wherein the rotary latch (3) can be latched in a pre-latching position and a main latching position, having a main latching pawl (5) and having a pre-latching pawl (4), wherein a pre-latching element (17) of the locking mechanism (2) is formed by an angled region of a metallic main body (18) of the rotary latch (3), and wherein the angled region (17) can be placed in engagement with a closing pawl of a closing device.