Refining Emergency Lock Systems in Automobiles

A manufacturer of automobile door lock systems needed to add an emergency lock release feature to their passive entry door lock system. TLX Technologies designed a three-position latching solenoid that would perform all the functions of an automobile door lock system, including an emergency release feature.

Customer Problem

A manufacturer of automobile door lock systems needed to add an emergency lock release feature to their passive entry door lock system. The new system needed to lock the doors, handle the passive entry function and unlock the doors, and provide an emergency escape lock release. The emergency lock release would allow passengers to unlock the doors when the key was turned on. This was vital in the event of a car accident where the electrical system had been damaged and passengers needed to exit the vehicle.

The TLX Solution

TLX Technologies designed a three-position latching solenoid that would satisfy all the manufacturer’s requirements for the door lock system. The component used one spring that expanded against a hard stop to center the armature and compressed when the armature moved in either direction, improving the center position tolerance, and eliminating the need to set up and adjust two springs.   A shunt ring increased the pull-in force, allowing the solenoid to be smaller without sacrificing voltage and current requirements.

View Design Solution

Three-Position Latching Solenoid

Stroke: < 6.4 mm

Latching force (approx. for size shown): 44 N

Response time: < 8 ms

Centering force: 13 ± 4 N

Current: 12 A max.

Durability: > 100M cycles

Coil resistance at 20°C: 5 Ω

All TLX components are customized to fit system requirements, meaning technical specifications are unique to each customer and design. Examples given on our website are for illustration purposes only.

Working with TLX

Experienced partner of industry leaders, first-tier suppliers, and OEMs
Direct access to our design and engineering team
Localized production in USA and China
Dependable single-source solution from design to delivery

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Our Process

Step 1 / Initial Review

Our engineering team works directly with you to determine the viability of your program and identify the best solution based on your specifications.

Step 2 / Quote

Quotes include all costs related to your project - tooling, prototype, piece part, production and project specific costs.

Step 3 / Design Review & Prototypes

Our engineering team reviews the design with you and makes any adjustments needed. Prototypes are built according to design specifications for testing.

Step 4 / Testing

Prototypes are tested according to your specifications, with all relevant test data provided to you for evaluation.

Step 5 / APQP

DFMEA’s, PFMEA’s, control plans and process flow diagrams are started to drive the product intent design.

Step 6 / Pre-Production

Working drawings are developed for production. A second prototype build and a set of production parts are made from tooling and thoroughly tested.

Step 7 / PPAP/Production

The final design along with the PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) is developed and the new product enters production.

Step 8 / Ongoing Improvements

Our team collaborates with you to continue making improvements to the product to best meet your needs, increasing efficiency and reducing cost.

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