Motor Vehicle Locking Assembly with Manual Generator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle locking systems face reliability and security issues when the electrical actuator is no longer powered, particularly in emergency situations, as they require a continuous energy supply and lack autonomous operation.

Innovation Solution

An assembly comprising a carrier-mounted blocking device, control and communication device, energy store, actuator, and generator, where the generator can be manually driven to charge the energy store, enabling autonomous operation and secure unlocking via an external communication device, ensuring only authorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If an electrical actuator is used to control the mechanical locking device, then the locking system can be controlled remotely and automatically, but the system becomes dependent on continuous energy supply and loses reliability when power is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidoperation reliability without power
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by storing electrical energy in advance during normal operation when the vehicle's central energy store is available. The energy store is charged beforehand so that when power failure occurs, the actuator can still operate the locking device without external power supply, thus resolving the reliability issue while maintaining automation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a manual emergency actuation system is added to provide backup power, then reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem component count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the emergency operation components (generator device with actuating means, energy store, and control unit) into an integrated assembly that is coupled to the existing door handle and locking system. This consolidation approach provides emergency operation capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by sharing components and using modular integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If all locking system components are integrated into a single autonomous assembly, then access security and reliability improve, but the manufacturing and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous operation independenceVSAvoidassembly integration difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is segmented into a self-contained autonomous assembly that includes all necessary components (blocking device, control unit, energy store, actuator, and generator device), while maintaining modular architecture that allows for standardized manufacturing and simplified installation as a complete unit on the vehicle door or hatch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution provides reliable and secure emergency unlocking capabilities without external power, maintaining electrical operation and ensuring authorized access by utilizing a chargeable energy store and wireless communication, enhancing the reliability and security of the locking system.

Implementation Method 1

a generator device (4) which can be driven manually via an actuating means for charging the energy store (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3514306B1Assembly for a closing system of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3514306B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3514306B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3514306B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

A motor vehicle assembly (1) with a mechanical locking device (6) that can assume an unlocked position and a locked position. An electric actuator (5) is coupled to and controllable with the mechanical locking device (6) to effect a change between the locked and unlocked positions of the locking device (6). A control and communication device (2) is coupled to the actuator (5). An energy storage device (3) is provided for the temporary supply of the control and communication device (2) and the actuator (5). A generator (4) has manual operating means (23; 27) for charging the energy storage device (3).The control and communication unit (2) establishes a communication connection (10) with an external communication device (8) when power is supplied and, depending on the communication that has taken place, controls the actuator (5) to move the locking device (6) from the locked position to the unlocked position.