Vehicle Component Locking Assembly for Clearance Noise Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle equipment parts with movable components suffer from clearance issues between catches and movable parts, leading to undesirable noise during operation.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a safety catch and a comfort catch, featuring inclined surfaces, prevents clearance by ensuring secure engagement and disengagement without noise, using slides and springs for guided movement and force absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device with catch and recess is used to lock the movable part, then the movable part can be secured in position, but clearance between the catch and the movable part causes undesirable noise
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into two independent catch elements: a safety catch and a comfort catch. The safety catch engages with a first holding surface of the recess to provide secure locking, while the comfort catch engages with a second holding surface (inclined at 45°) of the recess to eliminate clearance noise. This segmentation allows each catch to perform its specific function without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The comfort catch acts as an intermediary element between the movable part and the recess. It fills the clearance gap by engaging with the inclined second holding surface, preventing direct contact and noise between the safety catch and the movable part while maintaining the locking function.
2Ease of operation
If clearance is provided between the catch and the movable part to enable movement, then the locking device can transition between catch and release positions, but this clearance leads to noise during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The catch assembly is segmented into two functional parts: the safety catch for secure engagement and the comfort catch for clearance elimination. This allows the locking device to maintain mobility for position transitions while the comfort catch prevents noise-generating gaps during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second holding surface is inclined at 45° relative to the first holding surface, changing the geometric parameter of the engagement surface. This inclination allows the comfort catch to engage smoothly and eliminate clearance without preventing the necessary movement between locked and unlocked positions.
3Device complexity
If a single catch structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot simultaneously ensure secure locking and eliminate clearance noise
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a single complex catch structure, the invention segments the function into two simpler catch elements. The safety catch handles secure locking engagement with the first holding surface, while the comfort catch handles clearance elimination with the second holding surface. This segmentation achieves better reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Both the safety catch and comfort catch are part of the same catch assembly, guided by common guiding surfaces. This multi-functional design allows a relatively simple overall structure to perform both locking and noise elimination functions simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment part for a vehicle, having a base and a part that is movable relative to the base, wherein the movable part is lockable with respect to at least one movement direction in at least two positions relative to the base by a locking device. The locking device includes at least one recess, wherein in a catch position of the locking device at least one safety catch engages into one of the recesses and in a release position the safety catch is out of engagement with the recess. The safety catch has at least one latch surface which cooperates with a first holding surface of the recess, and at least one comfort catch of the locking device has a second catch surface which cooperates with a second holding surface of the recess, wherein the second catch surface is inclined relative to the first catch surface.