Motor Vehicle Lock Rolling Latch for Quiet Prelatching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle locks face challenges in achieving easy opening while maintaining small opening gaps in prelatching positions, especially when prelatches are required, which can interfere with the main latching position and lead to increased noise and force during unlatching.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lock design featuring a pivotably accommodated latching element between the rotary latch and pawl allows for a rolling movement, enabling both a main latching position and a prelatching position, reducing the gap dimension and absorbing peak loads during extreme situations, thus facilitating easier and quieter unlatching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a latching element is used between the rotary latch and pawl to enable easy opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to achieve small opening gaps in prelatching positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent latching elements: a first latching element (ball) for the main latching position and a second latching element (pawl) for the prelatching position. This segmentation allows each element to independently control its respective latching position, enabling the prelatch to achieve small opening gaps while the main latch provides easy opening through the ball's rolling movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The first latching element (ball) acts as an intermediary that mediates between the rotary latch and the second latching element (pawl). The ball can be lifted by the rotary latch to disengage from the pawl, enabling easy opening, while the pawl maintains engagement with the rotary latch at the prelatching position to ensure small opening gaps.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a latching element is used to enable rolling movement and reduce noise, then the sound level is reduced, but the reliability in extreme situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses segmented latching elements where the first latching element (ball) handles normal operation with rolling movement for quiet operation, while the second latching element (pawl) provides additional security for extreme situations. The pawl can engage directly with the rotary latch when the ball is lifted, ensuring reliability under extreme loads while maintaining quiet operation during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for extreme situations in advance by having the pawl positioned to engage with the rotary latch. The pawl acts as a pre-positioned safety mechanism that can immediately take over if the ball fails or under extreme loads, ensuring reliability without affecting normal quiet operation.
3Reliability
If a prelatching position is implemented as an additional safeguard, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent latching systems: a first latching element (ball) for main latching and a second latching element (pawl) for prelatching. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function with simple structure, avoiding the need for a complex single-system solution while achieving improved reliability through the additional safeguard.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary latch serves multiple functions: it rotates to control the first latching element (ball) for main latching, and simultaneously provides a latching surface for the second latching element (pawl) for prelatching. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by using a single component (rotary latch) to support both latching positions rather than requiring separate mechanisms.
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 design achieves small opening gaps, reduces unlatching noise, and enhances the durability and robustness of the lock by distributing forces through a rolling movement, allowing for electrically assisted operation even under extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the latching element and the pawl are each designed concentric to their bearing points in their engagement area so that a rolling movement between the latching element and the pawl is possible
Data Source
AI summary
A lock for a motor vehicle, in particular an electrically actuatable lock, having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be latched by means of the pawl at least in a main latching position, and having another latching element which is located in the engagement area between the rotary latch and the pawl and is arranged on the rotary latch, wherein the latching element is pivotably accommodated in the rotary latch, and a rolling movement is possible between the latching element and the pawl, wherein the pawl can be brought into engagement with the rotary latch.