Vehicle Panel Closure with Perpendicular Unlocking Bolts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle bay closure devices face issues with ergonomic and intuitive locking/unlocking mechanisms, security risks due to easy manipulation by malicious individuals, and complexity in assembly and operation.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a movable panel guided by rails, featuring bolts that unlock perpendicular to the sliding direction, bevel gear actuating means, and dual control mechanisms to prevent external manipulation, allowing simultaneous actuation of locking and unlocking with one hand while ensuring enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple handle mechanism is used for unlocking, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to easy manipulation by malicious individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking mechanism is segmented into two independent control elements: an actuating handle and a release button. Both elements must be operated simultaneously to unlock the bolts, dividing the single unlocking action into multiple coordinated steps that are difficult to replicate with simple tool manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism incorporates preliminary anti-action by requiring the release button to be pressed before the handle can effectively unlock the bolts. This preliminary action prevents unauthorized unlocking attempts, as malicious individuals cannot simply manipulate the handle without first activating the release button, which requires direct access and deliberate action.
2Reliability
If a complex dual control mechanism is used for security, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating handle and release button are merged into a single integrated assembly mounted on the movable panel. This combining of multiple control elements into one unified structure reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the dual-control security function, as both controls are accessed through a single interface point.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuating mechanism for the bolts and the mounting structure for the release button. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining security requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the handle extends towards vehicle interior for ergonomic access, then ease of operation is improved, but the dimension constraint worsens due to standardization limits
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the handle towards the vehicle interior (one dimension), the mechanism uses a release button that can be pressed from the side or front face of the movable panel. This shifts the operational dimension from depth (interior direction) to surface (side/front direction), maintaining ergonomic access while complying with dimension constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The release button acts as an intermediary element that enables unlocking without requiring the handle to extend far into the vehicle interior. By pressing the button, the user activates the unlocking sequence through a mechanical intermediary action rather than directly manipulating a long-extending handle, thus reducing the required projection dimension.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for closing off a bay formed in an element of a motor vehicle body, including a stationary part and at least one panel which is movable relative to said stationary part and is slidingly guided by two rails supported on said stationary part, said movable panel supporting two bolts which are capable of engaging with two corresponding strikers, which are respectively formed in each of said rails and are movable in an unlocking direction that is perpendicular to the sliding direction of said movable panel, between a locked position in which said bolts are engaged with said strikers, and an unlocked position which enables sliding and in which said bolts are removed from said strikers, said movable panel having means (110) for actuating said bolts, which are movable in an actuating direction that is parallel to said sliding direction, and bell-crank means which transform the movement of said actuating means in an unlocking direction in order to control the movement of one of said bolts. The device also comprises means (130) for blocking said actuating means.