Motor Vehicle Lock Inlet Actuation for Power-Failure Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks with electrically actuated safety and comfort functions fail to ensure reliable operation during power outages or energy store failures, necessitating improved emergency power supply solutions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an actuation means within the inlet region of the motor vehicle lock as part of the energy power supply, allowing for easy exchange and maintenance of energy stores, such as batteries, ensuring continuous power availability even during power failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric motor is used to actuate the locking mechanism, then safety and comfort functions are improved, but reliability during power outages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into an electrically actuated portion (for normal operation) and a manually actuable portion (for emergency operation). The actuation means can be manually operated through the inlet region to directly move the rotary latch or release lever, providing a fallback mechanism that operates independently of the electric motor and power supply system.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation means is pre-positioned within the inlet region such that it can be directly accessed and operated manually when needed. The mechanical connection between the actuation means and the locking mechanism components (rotary latch, release lever) is established in advance, allowing immediate manual intervention during power outages without requiring additional assembly or complex activation procedures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the inlet region is sealed to protect internal components, then protection against contaminants is improved, but accessibility for manual actuation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation means is nested within the inlet region structure, utilizing the existing opening space. The actuation means is positioned such that it can be accessed through the inlet region without requiring the inlet region to be fully open or unsealed. This nested arrangement allows the inlet region to maintain its protective function while providing a pathway for manual actuation of the locking mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle having a motor vehicle lock which is paired with a movable door element and which comprises a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl. In an open position of the locking mechanism, at least one part of an inlet region for a lock holder can be released. The motor vehicle also has an actuation means which is arranged in the free inlet region, wherein the actuation means forms at least one part of an energy power supply of the motor vehicle lock.