Vehicle Door Locking Mechanism With Inner-Handle Stopper Release

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door locking systems fail to prevent unauthorized opening from outside, even with authorized keys, and can inadvertently lock users outside if the key button is not unlocked upon exiting, posing privacy and security risks.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle door locking mechanism integrated with the latching mechanism, featuring a stopper that displaces between positions to block the control paddle from rotation, preventing door opening from outside, and ensuring the user remains inside even with an authorized key.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a key button is used to block the latching system from inside, then the door cannot be opened from inside by rotation of inner or outer door handles, but the user can still be locked outside if the key button is not unlocked when exiting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor locking reliabilityVSAvoiddoor operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs the preliminary action of moving the stopper to the first position (unblocking position) when the inner handle is rotated to open the door. This ensures that before the door can be opened, the stopper is already in the correct position to allow the control paddle to rotate, eliminating the need for manual intervention and preventing lockout situations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the inner handle rotation to automatically control the stopper position. When the inner handle is rotated, this action feeds back to trigger the stopper movement mechanism, which then adjusts the stopper position accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the system responds automatically to user actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a stopper is added to block the control paddle from rotation, then unauthorized opening from outside is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor locking securityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper mechanism is merged with the existing door latch assembly rather than being a separate independent system. The stopper, stopper knob, and control paddle are integrated into the same housing and operational space, sharing common mounting structures and control mechanisms. This merging approach provides enhanced security while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper mechanism serves multiple functions: it blocks the control paddle from rotation to prevent unauthorized opening, and simultaneously enables the inner handle to automatically unblock itself when rotated for legitimate opening. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms

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

Data Source

PatentEP4621175A1Vehicle door locking equipment
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS FRANCE
  • EP4621175A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4621175A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621175A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention refers to a vehicle door locking equipment (100) comprising: - a door latch (30), - a lock cylinder (10) for locking or unlocking a vehicle door by rotating a control paddle (20) linked to the door latch (30), - an inner handle (4) linked to the door latch (30) and configured to be rotated to allow an opening of the door (1) from inside a passenger cabin, - a stopper knob (6) located inside the passenger cabin, - a stopper (40) configured to be displaced between a first position allowing rotation of the control paddle (20) and a second position allowing rotation of the control paddle (20) upon actuation of the stopper knob (6), wherein the inner handle (4) is configured to displace the stopper (40) in the first position when the inner handle (4) is rotated to open the door (1).