A concealed external handle ice-breaking device, a car, and an ice-breaking method

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of automotive antifreeze technology, providing a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, a vehicle, and an ice-breaking method. The device includes a heating component, a ventilation component, and a control unit. The heating component is installed on the inner side of the concealed external handle, and the ventilation component is installed on the heating component to transfer the heat from the heating component to the interior of the external handle via airflow. The ventilation component and the heating component are connected to the control unit, which controls the operation of the heating component and the ventilation component. Through the synergistic effect of the heating component (such as a heating coil) and the ventilation component (such as a fan), this invention can rapidly generate heat and effectively transfer it to the interior of the concealed external handle and the gap between it and the external door via airflow. The S-shaped arrangement of the heating coil helps to evenly distribute heat, while the directional airflow of the fan enhances the convection effect of the heat, allowing ice and snow to melt rapidly and improving ice-breaking efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automotive antifreeze technology, and specifically relates to a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, an automobile, and an ice-breaking method. Background Technology

[0002] As the automotive industry accelerates its transformation towards electrification and intelligentization, vehicle exterior designs are increasingly leaning towards simplicity, sleekness, and a futuristic aesthetic. Hidden door handles are gaining popularity due to their ability to reduce wind resistance and enhance the overall appearance of the vehicle. However, this design faces significant challenges in extreme weather conditions, especially in winter or frigid environments with low temperatures and snow. The tiny gap between the hidden door handle and the outer door panel easily traps moisture and quickly freezes, making it difficult for users to open the door smoothly. This not only reduces user comfort but may also damage the handle or door structure due to forced operation, affecting the vehicle's normal use and safety performance.

[0003] To address this issue, various innovative solutions have emerged in the industry, among which handles integrating graphene electric heating are particularly noteworthy. This design cleverly embeds a flexible graphene electric heating film assembly into the handle structure. Specifically, the armrest cover assembly is designed with a hollow cavity structure, with an internal skeleton to enhance structural strength. The graphene electric heating film is cleverly laid between the skeleton and the armrest cover assembly, and the outermost layer is covered with an armrest skin, forming a heating system that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Graphene, with its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, can rapidly generate uniform heat under low voltage, effectively melting ice and snow.

[0004] Another technical approach involves directly integrating the heating coil into the inside of the concealed door handle's cover. A modified plastic material with high thermal conductivity is used to manufacture the handle cover and any related covers (such as the power filler cap) to ensure rapid and even heat transfer to the surface. These heating coils are typically PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) electric heating coils, connected to the vehicle's controller via an intelligent control system for precise temperature regulation and energy management.

[0005] However, it is worth noting that although these heating technologies significantly improve the performance of concealed external handles in cold weather, these methods of directly using heating coils still pose a risk of burns when operating at high temperatures. At the same time, the high-temperature heating coils can cause thermal damage to the sheet metal parts and paint near the door handle. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, automobile, and ice-breaking method to solve the problem that there is still a risk of burns when using a heating coil at high temperatures, and that the high-temperature heating coil can cause thermal damage to the sheet metal parts and paint near the door handle.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, including a heating component, a ventilation component, and a control unit; the heating component is installed on the inner side of the concealed external handle, the ventilation component is installed on the heating component and is used to transfer the heat of the heating component to the inside of the external handle through airflow, the ventilation component and the heating component are connected to the control unit, and the control unit is used to control the operation of the heating component and the ventilation component.

[0009] Furthermore, the heating component is a heating coil, which is arranged in an S-shape.

[0010] Furthermore, a ventilation opening is provided on the inner side of the concealed outer handle, and the ventilation opening is connected to the internal motion mechanism of the concealed outer handle.

[0011] Furthermore, a heating coil holder is provided on the vent, and the heating coil is placed inside the heating coil holder.

[0012] Furthermore, the ventilation component is a fan, which covers the heating coil holder and the fan outlet faces the heating coil.

[0013] Furthermore, the control unit is an on-board domain controller, used to send operating commands to the heating and ventilation components.

[0014] Furthermore, the vehicle domain controller is connected to a wireless communication module, which in turn connects to a remote client.

[0015] Secondly, the present invention provides an automobile including the aforementioned concealed external handle ice-breaking device.

[0016] Thirdly, the present invention provides a method for breaking ice using a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, comprising:

[0017] After receiving the command from the domain controller, the heating component begins to heat up. The ventilation component drives the airflow. When the airflow passes through the heating coil, the airflow temperature rises. It enters the various moving mechanisms inside the outer handle through the vent, heating the internal moving mechanisms. Finally, it is discharged through the gap between the door handle and the outer panel.

[0018] If there is ice inside and outside the door handle, the hot airflow passing through the heating coil will melt the ice.

[0019] Furthermore, the remote client can issue commands to the domain controller via an app.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0021] This invention utilizes the synergistic effect of heating components (such as heating coils) and ventilation components (such as fans) to rapidly generate heat and effectively transfer it through airflow to the interior of the concealed exterior handle and the gap between it and the exterior door. The S-shaped arrangement of the heating coils helps to distribute heat evenly, while the directional airflow of the fan enhances the convection effect, allowing ice and snow to melt quickly and improving ice-breaking efficiency.

[0022] This invention allows for the selection of heating coils with varying power levels to suit different environments and market demands. This flexibility enables automakers to customize production for different regional climates, ensuring excellent ice-breaking performance in diverse environments.

[0023] In this invention, neither the heating coil nor the fan directly contacts the outer door panel, effectively avoiding the risk of damaging the paint on the outer door panel or burning the user due to excessively high heating coil temperature. Simultaneously, the introduction of a control unit (such as an onboard domain controller) allows for precise adjustment of the heating and ventilation processes through intelligent control, further improving the system's safety and reliability.

[0024] This invention achieves a high degree of integration by incorporating the heating, ventilation, and control units within a concealed external handle. Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted domain controller connects to a wireless communication module, allowing users to remotely control the ice-breaking device via a remote client, enhancing ease of use and intelligence.

[0025] This technical solution effectively solves the problem of icing on concealed external handles in low-temperature environments, allowing users to easily open car doors even in extreme weather conditions, significantly improving the user experience. At the same time, the quick and safe ice-breaking process reduces the risk of damage to the vehicle due to forced operation.

[0026] In summary, this technical solution, through its innovative combination of heating and ventilation, achieves efficient ice-breaking of concealed external handles while simultaneously ensuring safety, flexibility, and intelligence, which is of great significance for enhancing the market competitiveness of automotive products. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a front view of the heating assembly of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the heating component of the present invention from the reverse side;

[0029] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the heating assembly and handle of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the heating assembly and handle of the present invention assembled.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the external handle assembly of the present invention in the position of the vehicle door;

[0032] in:

[0033] 1. External handle; 2. Heating coil holder; 3. Heating coil; 4. Fan. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0036] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and includes such combinations. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this invention generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" relationship.

[0038] It should be understood that although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in the embodiments of the present invention to describe the preset range, these preset ranges should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the preset ranges from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present invention, the first preset range may also be referred to as the second preset range, and similarly, the second preset range may also be referred to as the first preset range.

[0039] Depending on the context, the word "if" as used here can be interpreted as "when," "when," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, depending on the context, the phrase "if determination" or "if detection (of the stated condition or event)" can be interpreted as "when determination," "in response to determination," "when detection (of the stated condition or event)," or "in response to detection (of the stated condition or event)."

[0040] The accompanying drawings illustrate various structural schematic diagrams according to embodiments disclosed in this invention. These drawings are not to scale, and some details have been enlarged for clarity, and some details may have been omitted. The shapes of the various regions and layers shown in the drawings, as well as their relative sizes and positional relationships, are merely exemplary and may deviate from reality due to manufacturing tolerances or technical limitations. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can design regions / layers with different shapes, sizes, and relative positions as needed.

[0041] Example 1, please refer to Figure 3 The present invention provides a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, including a heating component, a ventilation component and a control unit; the heating component is installed on the inner side of the concealed external handle, the ventilation component is installed on the heating component and is used to transfer the heat of the heating component to the inside of the external handle through airflow, the ventilation component and the heating component are connected to the control unit, and the control unit is used to control the operation of the heating component and the ventilation component.

[0042] This invention utilizes the synergistic effect of heating and ventilation components to rapidly generate heat and effectively transfer it via airflow to the interior of the concealed exterior handle and the gap between it and the exterior door. The S-shaped arrangement of the heating coils facilitates even heat distribution, while the directional airflow of the fan enhances heat convection, allowing ice and snow to melt quickly and improving ice-breaking efficiency.

[0043] Example 2: The present invention provides a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, specifically including an external handle 1, a heating coil 3, a heating coil holder 2, and a fan 4.

[0044] The heating coil, heating coil holder, and fan are fixed to the rear end of the handle with screws, and there is a vent at the rear end of the handle. A vent is also provided on the inner side of the concealed outer handle, and the vent connects to the internal movement mechanism of the concealed outer handle.

[0045] A heating coil holder 2 is provided on the vent, and the heating coil 3 is disposed inside the heating coil holder 2. The ventilation component is a fan 4, which covers the heating coil holder 2, and the fan outlet faces the heating coil 3.

[0046] After receiving the command from the domain controller, the heating coil of the heating component heats up to 260°C within 1 minute. The fan drives the airflow. When the airflow passes through the heating coil, the airflow temperature rises. It then passes through the heating coil holder and the vent at the rear of the handle, enters the various moving mechanisms inside the handle, and finally is discharged through the gap between the door handle and the outer panel.

[0047] In this invention, neither the heating coil nor the fan directly contacts the outer door panel, effectively avoiding the risk of damaging the paint on the outer door panel or burning the user due to excessively high heating coil temperature. Simultaneously, the introduction of a control unit (such as an onboard domain controller) allows for precise adjustment of the heating and ventilation processes through intelligent control, further improving the system's safety and reliability.

[0048] This invention achieves a high degree of integration by incorporating the heating component, ventilation component, and control unit inside a concealed external handle.

[0049] In Example 3, building upon Example 2, the control unit of this invention, namely the vehicle-mounted domain controller, plays a crucial role. It is not only the central nervous system of the entire concealed external handle ice-breaking device but also the core component for achieving intelligent control. The vehicle-mounted domain controller is meticulously designed to efficiently and accurately manage the operation of the heating and ventilation components, ensuring a fast and safe ice-breaking process by sending precise operating commands to them.

[0050] To further enhance the user experience, a wireless communication module has been cleverly integrated into the vehicle domain controller. This innovative design breaks down the geographical limitations of traditional automotive component operation, allowing users to remotely control the icebreaker without physically touching the vehicle. The wireless communication module acts as a bridge, seamlessly connecting the vehicle domain controller to remote clients. Whether through a mobile app, smart home system, or other remote access platforms, users can easily send commands to instantly operate the icebreaker.

[0051] Specifically, when a user needs to activate the ice-breaking function, they simply tap a few times on the remote client, and the relevant commands are quickly transmitted to the vehicle's domain controller via the wireless communication network. Upon receiving the commands, the controller immediately parses and executes them, activating the heating and ventilation components to begin the ice-breaking process. Similarly, users can also view the ice-breaking progress, adjust operating parameters, or stop the ice-breaking operation at any time through the remote client, achieving full monitoring and flexible control.

[0052] This remote control function not only greatly improves ease of use but also gives the ice-breaking device a higher level of intelligence. It allows users to maintain their vehicles anytime, anywhere, according to their actual needs, effectively addressing the problem of door handles freezing under extreme weather conditions. At the same time, the remote control function reflects the trend of modern automotive technology moving towards greater humanization and intelligence, bringing users a more comfortable and convenient driving experience.

[0053] Example 4, an ice-breaking method for a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, comprising:

[0054] After receiving the command from the domain controller, the heating component begins to heat up. The ventilation component drives the airflow. When the airflow passes through the heating coil, the airflow temperature rises. It enters the various moving mechanisms inside the outer handle through the vent, heating the internal moving mechanisms. Finally, it is discharged through the gap between the door handle and the outer panel.

[0055] If there is ice inside and outside the door handle, the hot airflow passing through the heating coil will melt the ice.

[0056] Remote clients can issue commands to control the domain controller via an app.

[0057] By rapidly heating the handle with built-in heating components (such as heating coils) and combining this with ventilation components (such as fans) to evenly distribute hot air throughout the interior and corners of the concealed exterior handle, this method quickly raises the temperature inside the handle, effectively melting the ice buildup between the handle's interior and the outer panel, thus achieving rapid ice breaking.

[0058] Because heating and ventilation are applied to the inside of the handlebars, this avoids potential damage to the paint or other components that could result from directly heating the exterior of the vehicle. At the same time, the uniform heating inside reduces the potential damage to the mechanical structure caused by localized overheating.

[0059] This method combines an onboard domain controller and a wireless communication module, allowing users to control and monitor the ice-breaking process via a remote client (such as a mobile app). This intelligent control approach not only improves ease of use but also allows users to flexibly adjust the intensity and duration of heating and ventilation according to actual needs, thereby achieving the best ice-breaking effect.

[0060] Since heating and ventilation are controlled according to actual needs, unnecessary energy waste is avoided. Furthermore, by precisely controlling the timing and intensity of heating and ventilation, energy consumption can be further reduced, aligning with the modern automotive design philosophy of energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0061] In cold weather, car door handles are easily covered by ice and snow, causing inconvenience to drivers. This ice-breaking method can quickly solve this problem, improving the ease of use and comfort of the vehicle, thereby enhancing overall user satisfaction.

[0062] In summary, the ice-breaking method of the concealed external handle ice-breaking device has multiple technical benefits, including high efficiency, intelligence, energy saving, environmental protection, and improved user experience.

[0063] Working principle of the invention:

[0064] 1. Device Composition and Layout

[0065] Heating components: mainly composed of heating coils 3, which are arranged in an S-shape on the inner side of the concealed outer handle to ensure that the heat can be evenly distributed and cover a larger area.

[0066] Ventilation assembly: includes a fan 4, which is mounted on the heating coil holder 2 with its outlet facing the heating coil 3. The fan's function is to drive airflow, heat the airflow as it passes over the heating coil, and then allow it to enter the outer handle through the ventilation opening.

[0067] Control unit: Typically an in-vehicle domain controller, responsible for receiving external commands (such as commands from remote clients) and controlling the operating status of heating and ventilation components.

[0068] 2. Work Process

[0069] Command reception: When the vehicle domain controller receives an ice-breaking command from a remote client (such as a mobile APP) or the vehicle's internal system, it begins to prepare to start the ice-breaking procedure.

[0070] Heating component activation: The vehicle domain controller sends a working command to the heating component, and the heating coil begins to heat up, generating heat.

[0071] Ventilation system activation: Simultaneously, the vehicle domain controller sends a command to the ventilation system, causing the fan to start operating and circulating the surrounding air. This air is heated as it passes through the heating coils, becoming hot airflow.

[0072] Heat transfer: The heated airflow enters the interior of the concealed external handle through the vents, including its internal moving mechanism. This hot airflow not only heats the internal mechanical structure but also exits through the gap between the door handle and the outer panel, heating the external ice layer.

[0073] Ice melting: If there is ice covering the inside or outside of the door handle, airflow heated by the heating coil will pass through all corners of the handle, causing the ice to melt. This process continues until the ice is completely melted or the preset ice-breaking effect is achieved.

[0074] 3. Intelligent control

[0075] Remote control: Through the wireless communication module connected to the vehicle domain controller, users can send ice-breaking commands remotely via a remote client (such as a mobile APP) to achieve remote ice-breaking operations when they are away from the vehicle.

[0076] Intelligent adjustment: The vehicle domain controller can also intelligently adjust the working intensity and duration of the heating and ventilation components according to the actual conditions of the vehicle (such as outside temperature, ice thickness, etc.) to achieve the best ice-breaking effect and save energy.

[0077] 4. Security and Protection Mechanisms

[0078] Temperature control: To prevent the heating coil from overheating and damaging vehicle components or causing safety hazards, the vehicle domain controller monitors the temperature of the heating coil in real time and automatically reduces the heating power or shuts down the heating components when necessary.

[0079] Structural optimization: By rationally designing the layout of the heating coil holder and ventilation openings, and by selecting high-temperature and corrosion-resistant materials to manufacture related components, the stability and reliability of the device during long-term use can be ensured.

[0080] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A concealed external handle ice-breaking device, characterized in that, It includes a heating component, a ventilation component, and a control unit; the heating component is installed on the inner side of the concealed outer handle, the ventilation component is installed on the heating component and is used to transfer the heat of the heating component to the inside of the outer handle through airflow, the ventilation component and the heating component are connected to the control unit, and the control unit is used to control the operation of the heating component and the ventilation component; The heating component is a heating coil (3), which is arranged in an S-shape; A ventilation opening is provided on the inner side of the concealed outer handle, and the ventilation opening is connected to the internal motion mechanism of the concealed outer handle. A heating coil holder (2) is provided on the vent, and the heating coil (3) is placed inside the heating coil holder (2); The ventilation component is a fan (4), which covers the heating coil holder (2) and the fan outlet faces the heating coil (3).

2. The concealed external handle ice-breaking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is an on-board domain controller used to send operating commands to the heating and ventilation components.

3. The concealed external handle ice-breaking device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vehicle-mounted domain controller is connected to a wireless communication module, which in turn connects to a remote client.

4. A car, characterized in that, Including the concealed external handle ice-breaking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A method for breaking ice using a concealed external handle ice-breaking device, characterized in that, The concealed external handle ice-breaking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 includes: After receiving the command from the domain controller, the heating component begins to heat up. The ventilation component drives the airflow. When the airflow passes through the heating coil, the airflow temperature rises. It enters the various moving mechanisms inside the outer handle through the vent, heating the internal moving mechanisms. Finally, it is discharged through the gap between the door handle and the outer panel. If there is ice inside and outside the door handle, the hot airflow passing through the heating coil will melt the ice.

6. The ice-breaking method of the concealed external handle ice-breaking device according to claim 5, characterized in that, Remote clients can issue commands to control the domain controller via an app.

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