Motor Vehicle Door Lock With Two-Part Emergency Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle locks, particularly door locks, require complex designs and significant financial and design expenditures to implement multiple security positions and temporary crash redundancy, with no compact, cost-effective, and functionally reliable solutions available.

Innovation Solution

A two-part securing element with a securing lever and securing transmission lever, mechanically coupled and decoupled by a reversible drive worm, allows for efficient implementation of security positions and temporary crash redundancy using a single electric motor drive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate electric motor drives are used to implement different security positions and emergency opening functions, then functional reliability and versatility are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity positionsVSAvoiddrive system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single electric motor drive unit that can perform normal locking/unlocking, anti-theft positioning, and emergency opening functions through different operational modes and mechanical configurations, eliminating the need for separate motor drives for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single electric motor drive is designed with universal capability to perform multiple functions: normal security positioning, anti-theft mode activation, and emergency opening, making one component serve multiple purposes that previously required separate dedicated drives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single electric motor drive is used for all security functions, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but functional reliability and emergency operation capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive systemVSAvoidemergency opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is divided into two independent parts: a securing lever and a securing transmission lever, allowing the emergency opening function to be mechanically separated from the electric motor drive, ensuring that emergency operation remains available even if the electric drive fails

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The securing transmission lever acts as an intermediary mechanical element that can be actuated by the electric motor drive for normal operation or by manual intervention for emergency opening, providing a reliable backup path that does not depend on the electric drive's functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the securing element is designed as a single integrated component, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but the ability to implement temporary crash redundancy and mechanical decoupling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring elementVSAvoidemergency function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is segmented into two distinct levers that can be manufactured separately and assembled together, enabling the temporary crash redundancy function where the levers can be mechanically decoupled to allow emergency opening while maintaining normal security functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Reduces design and financial effort while ensuring perfect functionality, enabling efficient transition between security positions and achieving emergency opening through mechanical decoupling during emergencies.

Implementation Method 1

the electric motor drive has a reversible drive worm. According to the invention, the drive worm is semicircular and equipped with two end-side cams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWorm drive: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentEP3832056B1Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 KIEKERT AG
  • EP3832056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3832056B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3832056B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl. Furthermore, an electric motor drive (9, 10, 11) and a locking element (6, 8) interacting with the drive (9, 10, 11) are implemented. According to the invention, the locking element (6, 8) is designed in two parts, comprising a locking lever (6) and a locking transmission lever (8). Both levers (6, 8) are mechanically coupled to each other in a locking direction (S) to assume a locking position with the aid of the drive (9, 10, 11) and mechanically decoupled in the opposite direction (unlocking direction E).