Failsafe Door Latch Without Lock Cylinder

Despite increasing levels of digitisation, cars are still equipped with lock cylinders to ensure the door can be unlocked at any given time. Kiekert’s ReactiWake locking system guarantees this on a purely electronic level, thus creating new opportunities in vehicle design and operating concept. Besides reducing complexities in the aftermarket, the supply processes associated with a mechanical replacement key are completely dispensed with and free positioning of the latch and exterior handles by designers is possible.

TODAY’S MECHANICAL LOCK CYLINDERS

Just a few decades ago, vehicles were equipped with a variety of latches with different lock cylinders, meaning drivers often required multiple keys. Nowadays, although doors are generally unlocked via remote control or smartphone app, virtually all passenger cars still have a lock cylinder in the driver’s door that is only required when the vehicle’s battery or the key fob battery is flat.

From a design and engineering perspective, it is desirable to eliminate this one last lock cylinder, too. Why? There is a mechanical connection between the lock cylinder and the door latch that is conceptually similar to, say, the short half-shaft between the vehicle transmission and the wheels. This “paddle” transmits, for instance, the rotary movement of the key bit to release the lock and, in certain, rare cases, to open the door. However, this proven, tamper-proof connection inevitably demands proximity between the door latch and the lock cylinder. This means the position of the door handle is determined by the location of the lock cylinder, 1.

DIGITAL LOCK CYLINDERS FOR THE FUTURE

The absence of a lock cylinder, with locking and unlocking taking place purely electrically, considerably increases design freedom. 2 presents the development from the visible and the hidden cylinder up to its absence. Designers can locate external door handles wherever they wanted to – and conversely, the position of the lock inside the door would be independent of the exterior design. However, the question is how to dispense with the lock cylinder without losing the ability to unlock or open the doors in the event of a power loss.