Vehicle Lock Pre-Locking Hook Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Active closing systems with movable locking hooks in vehicle locks are prone to damaging the body component or surrounding structure when the locking hook is forced into its fully closed position, as the actuator may not fully engage before the component is closed, leading to potential 'overthrow' and damage.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a pivotally mounted locking hook held in a pre-locking position by a pawl, which prevents further movement until an actuator can safely move the striker and body component into the fully closed position, incorporating a closing lever and reversing lever mechanism to facilitate controlled movement and damping to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking hook is actively moved by an actuator from pre-locked to fully closed position, then the body component can be completely closed, but the body component may be thrown over and damaged when closed with greater force
Solution Approach 1:
The closure process is divided into two distinct phases: a pre-locked position where the pawl engages to limit movement, and a fully closed position reached only after the pawl is disengaged by the closing lever. This segmentation prevents uncontrolled over-closure while enabling complete sealing when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawl is pre-positioned to engage the locking hook at the pre-locked position before the actuator initiates full closure. This preliminary engagement acts as a safety mechanism that prevents the locking hook from being forced beyond its design limits during manual closing operations.
2Reliability
If a pawl is used to hold the locking hook in pre-locked position, then over-movement is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pawl and closing lever are integrated into a single mechanical system where the closing lever simultaneously performs multiple functions: it disengages the pawl from the locking hook and applies force to move the locking hook to the fully closed position. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing lever serves multiple purposes: it acts as a release mechanism for the pawl, a actuator for the locking hook, and a force transmission element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the lock mechanism while maintaining reliable over-movement prevention.
3Ease of operation
If the locking hook is pivotally mounted on a support plate, then controlled movement is enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate features a specifically designed pivot axis with localized precision features at the critical rotation point, while other parts of the component can be manufactured with standard tolerances. This concentrates manufacturing precision requirements only where they are functionally necessary for smooth locking hook movement.
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
The lock design ensures safe and controlled closure of vehicle body components by preventing over-movement and damage, allowing the actuator to engage the locking hook in the fully closed position while cushioning the closure process, and enabling manual override for malfunction scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The locking hook is held in the pre-locking position by a pawl, with which movement of the locking hook is prevented in the fully closed position
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a closing lever and reversing lever mechanism to facilitate controlled movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock for a vehicle component of a vehicle which can be moved from an open position into a locked position, in particular for a flap or door of a vehicle, comprising a locking hook which can move into the locking position from a pre-locking position. Said locking hook is maintained in the pre-locking position by a catch, said catch preventing a movement of the locking hook into the fully locking position.