Motor Vehicle Lock Control for Power-Off Closure Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to prevent the catch of a motor vehicle lock from being unintentionally locked in its closed position when a closure element is dismounted or subsequently mounted, particularly when the opening device is not connected to a current or voltage source, leading to difficulty in lifting the pawl into its lifted state.
Innovation Solution
The motor vehicle lock is equipped with a lock controller that detects the mounted or dismounted state of the closure element using a sensor, such as a resistor, and transfers the lock into an open mode when the element is dismounted, ensuring the pawl is in a release state, and includes an independent energy source to operate the opening drive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pawl is designed to automatically engage in blocking state when closure element is closed, then security is improved, but the closure element cannot be dismounted when disconnected from power source
Solution Approach 1:
The lock controller proactively detects the disconnection state of the closure element from the power source and preemptively transitions the pawl to the lifted state before dismounting operations are attempted. This preliminary action ensures the catch remains unblocked during dismounting while maintaining security when properly connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the connection state of the closure element through the power source connection and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the pawl position. When disconnected, the system detects this state and lifts the pawl; when connected, it returns to blocking state, creating a self-regulating feedback mechanism.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the opening device requires connection to current source to operate, then energy efficiency is improved, but the pawl cannot be lifted during dismounting when disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The lock controller detects the disconnection state and preemptively activates the opening drive to lift the pawl before the user needs to dismount the closure element. This ensures the pawl is in the correct state for dismounting without requiring continuous power consumption during the dismounting operation itself.
3Reliability
If the lock remains in closed position when closure element is disconnected, then security is maintained, but the closure element cannot be removed from the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The lock system dynamically adjusts its state based on the connection status of the closure element. When disconnected, it transitions to an adaptive state where the catch is unblocked, allowing removal. When connected, it returns to the secure closed state, providing both security and adaptability as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle lock having a catch and a pawl, wherein the catch can be brought from an open position into at least one closed position for holding the closure element in holding engagement with a closing element, wherein the pawl can be brought into a blocking state, in which it holds the catch in the closed position, into a release state, in which it releases the catch, and into a contact state, in which the pawl is in contact with the catch in the open position and can be brought into its blocking state in order to allow the catch to be held in the closed position, wherein the motor vehicle lock has an opening device having an electrical opening drive for establishing the release state by motor, wherein the motor vehicle lock has a lock controller for controlling the opening drive.