Vehicle Lock Load-Opening Drive for High-Force Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle locks fail to open if the vehicle electrical system fails, particularly under increased forces encountered after accidents or when objects become trapped, compromising security and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lock with a locking mechanism, rotary latch, pawl, and opening drive, incorporating a load-opening drive activated by a user from outside the vehicle, utilizing a battery or supercapacitor energy source and a mechanical circuit breaker, and a control unit to detect load cases, ensuring unlocking even under high forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the opening drive is designed for quick operation to ensure high-quality feel, then the opening speed is improved, but the opening drive cannot generate sufficient force under load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The opening drive is segmented into two independent systems: a first opening drive with a motor and first gear for normal quick operation, and a second opening drive with a second gear for load conditions. Each system is optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between speed and force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first opening drive and second opening drive based on detected load conditions. The control unit activates the appropriate drive system, allowing the vehicle lock to adapt its characteristics (speed vs. force) according to operational requirements.
2Device complexity
If the vehicle lock relies solely on the vehicle electrical system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability fails under electrical system failure
Solution Approach 1:
A detection unit is integrated to preliminarily detect load conditions such as electrical system failures before they become critical. When a failure is detected, the system automatically switches to the alternative opening drive, ensuring continuous operational reliability without requiring complex manual intervention systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters by switching between different drive systems based on electrical system status. When the primary electrical system fails, the parameter change activates the secondary opening drive, maintaining reliability while adding minimal complexity through intelligent switching.
3Reliability
If a load-opening drive is added to enable unlocking under load, then the unlocking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second opening drives are merged into a single integrated opening mechanism that acts on the same locking components. This consolidation allows the system to achieve high reliability through redundant drive paths while minimizing the increase in structural complexity by sharing common elements.
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit serves as an intermediary that intelligently manages the switching between the first and second opening drives. This mediator coordinates the operation of both drives, enabling reliable unlocking under various conditions while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through centralized control logic.
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
Enables reliable unlocking of the vehicle lock under load conditions, maintaining security and comfort by providing electrical redundancy and intuitive operation, even in emergencies or system failures.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a battery or supercapacitor energy source
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a battery or supercapacitor energy source
Implementation Method 3
a mechanical circuit breaker
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (10), in particular a motor vehicle lock that can be electrically operated, for a movable part (110) of a vehicle (100), comprising: a locking mechanism (20) which has at least one rotary latch (21) and at least one pawl (22) for blocking the rotary latch (21) in at least one latching position (I); an opening drive (30) which comprises at least one motor (31) and at least one transmission (32) for electromechanically unlocking the locking mechanism (20); and a load opening drive (40) for electromechanically unlocking the locking mechanism (20) in a load case, wherein the load opening drive (40) can be activated by a user from outside of the vehicle (100).