Vehicular Electric Lock Slider Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular electric lock devices face challenges in size reduction and accurate position detection due to the need for space for mechanical components and instability of magnetic fields caused by ferromagnetic sliders.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular electric lock device featuring a slider with a screw-fitting member made from ferromagnetic material and a magnet retaining member made from paramagnetic material, housed within a magnetic material housing with a magnetic shielding member to cover the magnetic sensor, allowing for accurate position detection and reduced size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a magnet is provided on a slider made of ferromagnetic material, then the device size is reduced, but the magnetic field becomes unstable leading to inaccurate position detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidposition detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The slider is divided into two distinct parts: a ferromagnetic screw-fitting member for mechanical engagement and a paramagnetic magnet retaining member for magnetic field stability. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The paramagnetic magnet retaining member acts as an intermediary between the ferromagnetic screw-fitting member and the magnet. It shields the magnet from the ferromagnetic material's influence on the magnetic field while maintaining mechanical connection, thus preserving both compact size and magnetic field stability for accurate detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If microswitches and operating arm are used for position detection, then position detection is achieved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detectionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical detection system (microswitches and operating arm) with a magnetic detection system (magnetic sensor and magnet). This substitution eliminates the need for extended mechanical components, significantly reducing device size while maintaining accurate position detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If the slider is made from ferromagnetic material to accommodate threaded shaft, then mechanical strength is sufficient, but magnetic field stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslider strengthVSAvoidmagnetic field stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The slider is segmented into a ferromagnetic screw-fitting member that provides mechanical strength for threaded shaft engagement, and a paramagnetic magnet retaining member that ensures magnetic field stability. Each material property is applied where needed, resolving the contradiction between strength and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different materials with specific properties are applied to different parts of the slider: ferromagnetic material where mechanical strength is required and paramagnetic material where magnetic field stability is required. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between overall strength and local magnetic stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution ensures accurate detection of the lock and unlock positions while minimizing the device's size, enhancing layout flexibility and preventing erroneous detections from external magnets.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic sensor that detects by means of a magnetic field of the magnet that the lock member is in at least one of the lock position and the unlock position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a magnet retaining member that is formed from a paramagnetic material, covers the screw-fitting member, and retains the magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9422753B2Vehicular electric lock device

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A vehicular electric lock device is provided in which a magnet is provided in a slider which is operated linearly in response to rotation of an electric motor and is operatively linked to a lock member, and a magnetic sensor detects by means of a magnetic field of the magnet that the lock member is in at least one of a lock position and a unlock position, wherein the slider comprises a screw-fitting member that is formed from a ferromagnetic material having rigidity and has a threaded shaft screwed thereinto and a magnet retaining member that is formed from a paramagnetic material, covers the screw-fitting member and retains the magnet, and the magnet retaining member is coupled to the screw-fitting member while preventing a relative movement in the direction along an axis of the threaded shaft and relative rotation around the axis of the threaded shaft.