Vehicle Lock Case With Cantilever Support And Buffer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle front flaps face challenges in secure closure due to increased installation space requirements for headlights and radiators, and enhanced accident protection, leading to potential damage from elastic deformation and tolerance issues in locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A lock arrangement featuring a cantilever support arm that moves the lock box into position with the body element, incorporating a buffer element for impact damping and tolerance compensation, allowing secure closure and design flexibility further from the front edge, with a pivoting locking case and resilient pretensioning for precise guidance and damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lock arrangement is positioned further from the front edge to accommodate headlights and radiators, then installation space for safety components is improved, but the risk of damage from elastic deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a buffer element (Federschelle) in the locking mechanism that absorbs impact energy during the closing operation. This cushioning element is positioned to receive the impact from the body element during closure, preventing damage to the locking components and surrounding parts while allowing the lock to be positioned further rearward on the vehicle body.
2Reliability
If a forceful closing operation is performed, then the body element is securely closed, but components such as headlights or air inlet grilles could be damaged due to elastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer element is designed to absorb the impact energy during forceful closing operations. When the body element is closed forcefully, the impact is directed against the buffer element rather than transmitting directly to the locking components or surrounding parts, thereby preventing damage while ensuring secure closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer element acts as an intermediary between the body element and the locking mechanism. It mediates the force transmission during closing operations, converting the impact force into controlled deformation of the buffer element itself, thereby protecting other components from damage.
3Reliability
If the locking hook penetrates deeper into the locking case to ensure safe engagement, then the locking reliability is improved, but the flap shelter in relation to the end position is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable locking case that can pivot about a pivot point. This dynamic positioning allows the locking case to be located optimally during the closing operation, ensuring proper engagement of the locking hook while maintaining the correct end position of the body element. The pivotable mounting enables adjustment of the locking case position without compromising the final positioning of the closed body element.
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
Ensures secure closure of vehicle body elements with variance in design, preventing damage and accommodating dimensional tolerances, while maintaining accident safety and flexibility in arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
The support according to the invention is advantageously itself designed with a buffer element or elastic component against which the body element strikes when the lock arrangement is closed. The impact of the body element on the movable support of the lock case is dampened by the buffer element
Implementation Method 2
a certain tolerance compensation between these components is ensured, in particular for their arrangement in the end position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock assembly (10) of a body element (12) of a vehicle body (14), in particular of a front hood, which body element is to be opened, comprising a lock case (16) arranged on the vehicle body (14), which lock case has a first locking means (20) and a second locking means (22) that is arranged on the body element (12). According to the invention, the lock case (16) is movably retained on the vehicle body (14) and a support (30) is provided on the lock case (16), by means of which support the lock case (16) is to be moved on the vehicle body (14) by the body element (12) when the lock assembly (10) is closed.