Vehicle Door Coupling Device with Motorized Wedge Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for vehicle doors and structural parts require complex geometries and numerous kinematic components, leading to increased manufacturing costs and assembly complexity, while also lacking in simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a first coupling element featuring two parallel and displaceable bolts, and a motor drive system that uses plate-shaped locking wedges with wedge surfaces, which engage with keyways in a second coupling element, allowing for a simple and effective positive locking mechanism with reduced components, including only two locking wedges, and incorporating a cam disk and control disk for operative connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex geometries and numerous kinematic components are used in coupling devices, then reliable locking and force transmission are achieved, but manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two separate coupling elements: a first coupling element with two displaceable bolts and a second coupling element with two holding jaws. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler while maintaining reliable locking through the interaction between corresponding elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex rotating locking mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by using linearly displaceable bolts that are actuated by a motor drive device. The locking action is achieved by moving the bolts in a linear direction rather than through rotational kinematics, simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Reliability
If numerous kinematic components are used, then effective locking in multiple directions is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped locking surfaces on both the bolts and holding jaws serve multiple functions: they provide locking in lateral directions, enable form-fit connection for power transmission, and create high frictional connection for preventing disengagement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the locking surfaces by using wedge shapes with specific angles. This parameter change allows a single component design to achieve locking in multiple directions simultaneously, reducing the number of components needed while maintaining reliable multi-directional locking.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple component design is used, then manufacturing cost-effectiveness improves, but locking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses wedge-shaped surfaces with inclined planes rather than simple flat surfaces. This curved/angled geometry provides mechanical advantage through the wedge effect, generating high locking forces from the motor-driven displacement of the bolts, thereby ensuring reliable locking despite the simplicity of the component forms.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor drive device pre-tensions the bolts against the holding jaws before final locking engagement. This preliminary action ensures that the wedge surfaces are already under load when the locking engagement occurs, enhancing the reliability of the connection while using simple component designs.
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
The solution achieves a backlash-free, cost-effective, and simplified structural design that ensures effective locking in all relevant directions, with high frictional connection and form fit, enabling efficient power transmission and easy assembly, while also providing a reliable emergency release mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the bolts as in one cuboid striker holder mounted plate-shaped strikers are formed with wedge surfaces, which to form the wedge surfaces a side edge with wedge-shaped cross section and the second coupling element is designed with two holding jaws that receive the first coupling element between them with keyways, such that the locking wedges are pressed by the motor-driven displacement apart with their wedge surfaces into the keyways
Implementation Method 2
There is a high frictional connection in the direction in which the locking wedges are driven out of the wedge grooves
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to coupling device (100) for detachably connecting a pivotally-mounted bodywork section (3), particularly vehicle doors, a tailgate or a front panel, to a vehicle structural part (2) of a vehicle body (1), comprising a first coupling element (10) and a second coupling element (20) that interacts with the first. When said coupling device (100) is in its coupled state, the first and second coupling elements (10, 20) are coupled without play by means of adjoining wedge surfaces. According to the invention, the first coupling element (10) comprises two locking wedges (11, 12) that have wedge surfaces (11b, 12b) and are mounted such that they can move in parallel with respect to one another, and the second coupling element (20) is designed to have two retainer jaws (21, 23) comprising wedge grooves (22, 24) and to receive said first coupling element (10) therebetween such that the locking wedges (11, 12) may be brought, by means of their wedge surfaces (11b, 12b), into engagement with wedge surfaces (22a, 24a) of said wedge grooves (22, 24). A motorised drive device (30) is provided which establishes a functional connection with the locking wedges (11, 12) by means of functional connecting means (40) that are designed to couple the two coupling elements (10, 20) such that said locking wedges (11, 12) are moved apart in a motorised manner and pressed, with their wedge surfaces (11b, 12b), into the wedge grooves (22, 24).