Vehicle Trunk Emergency Unlocking via Speed-Dependent Catch Hook
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency unlocking systems for motor vehicle trunks do not adequately meet safety regulations, particularly when the trunk is located in the front and opened while driving, as they fail to prevent unintended trunk lid opening at higher speeds and do not ensure complete opening at lower speeds.
Innovation Solution
An emergency unlocking system with a speed-dependent actuating element that decouples the actions of the emergency unlocking means and the catch means, allowing controlled trunk lid opening based on vehicle speed, using a catch hook and catch hook engagement element that can be actuated from outside and a speed-dependent mechanism to prevent further opening at higher speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the emergency unlocking means is actuated to open the trunk lock, then the trunk lid can be opened, but unintended or improper opening may occur at higher vehicle speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The catch hook engagement element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on vehicle speed. At higher speeds, the element remains in a position that prevents complete trunk lid opening, while at lower speeds it allows full opening when the emergency unlocking means is actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch hook engagement element acts as an intermediary between the trunk lock and the trunk lid. It provides an additional layer of control that mediates between the emergency unlocking action and the actual lid opening, ensuring that opening only occurs under safe conditions (low vehicle speed).
2Reliability
If a catch means is used to limit trunk opening motion, then unintended opening is prevented, but complete opening is blocked at all speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The catch hook engagement element transitions between two states: at higher speeds it maintains a position that limits trunk opening motion to prevent unintended opening, while at lower speeds it can be moved to allow complete opening when the emergency unlocking means is properly actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the catch means based on vehicle speed. The catch hook engagement element's position and function are adjusted according to the speed parameter, allowing it to provide motion limitation at high speeds while permitting complete opening at low speeds.
3Ease of operation
If the emergency unlocking system allows complete trunk lid opening, then trapped persons can escape, but safety hazards occur at higher vehicle speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by using the catch hook engagement element to prevent complete trunk lid opening at higher vehicle speeds. This preliminary restriction counteracts the potential harmful effect of lid opening during motion, while allowing escape when vehicle speed is low and safety hazards are minimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates speed-dependent feedback through the catch hook engagement element's position adjustment. The element's state is determined by vehicle speed, providing automatic feedback control that allows complete opening only when speed conditions are safe, thereby preventing harmful effects while maintaining escape capability.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an emergency unlocking system for a motor vehicle trunk (2), with a trunk lock (6) which comprises at least one lock latch (7) and an interacting locking part (8), with a catch means (14) which limits the trunk opening motion and which comprises a catch hook (15) which can be actuated from outside the trunk (2) and an interacting catch hook engagement element (16) for canceling the motion limitation, and with an emergency unlocking means (20) which is located in the trunk (2) and which acts to open the trunk lock (6) and to release the catch means (14) when actuated. In order to offer an increased safety standard with a simple structure and to meet safety stipulations with respect to the speed-dependent allowability of emergency unlocking, the actions applied by the emergency unlocking means (20) to the trunk lock (6) and the catch means (14) are decoupled from one another.