Actuating Device Cover Element with Sleeve for Planar Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuating devices for vehicles struggle to effectively seal and protect sensor units on planar vehicle parts, such as door handles, due to their geometry, which limits their integration on other vehicle components.

Innovation Solution

An actuating device featuring a planar cover element with a built-in electronics unit and sensor system, protected by a sleeve section, allowing for improved sealing and integration on planar vehicle parts, including door handles and body components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor unit is integrated into a door handle with encapsulation for protection, then the sensor technology is protected from moisture and environmental influences, but the planar extension of body components prevents easy transfer of this encapsulation design to other vehicle parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of sensor unitVSAvoidintegration on planar vehicle parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is divided into two functional parts: a planar cover element that integrates with the vehicle part surface and a separate three-dimensional sleeve section that provides the actual sealing and protection for the electronics unit. This segmentation allows the protective function to be adapted to planar surfaces while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronics unit is nested within the sleeve section, which is in turn attached to the cover element. This nested arrangement allows the protective structure to conform to planar surfaces (cover element) while providing three-dimensional protection (sleeve section) for the sensor unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a planar cover element is used for body components, then the design is adaptable to planar surfaces, but the sealing and protection of the electronics unit becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration on planar vehicle partsVSAvoidprotection of electronics unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is divided into two functional parts: a planar cover element that integrates with the vehicle part surface and a separate three-dimensional sleeve section that provides the actual sealing and protection for the electronics unit. This segmentation allows the protective function to be adapted to planar surfaces while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve section acts as an intermediary element between the planar cover element and the electronics unit. It translates the two-dimensional cover surface into a three-dimensional protective enclosure, enabling effective sealing while maintaining integration with planar vehicle parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor system is arranged on body components instead of door handles, then the actuating device can be integrated into various vehicle parts, but the geometry of body components limits sealing possibilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration on vehicle partsVSAvoidsealing of sensor unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is divided into two functional parts: a planar cover element that integrates with the vehicle part surface and a separate three-dimensional sleeve section that provides the actual sealing and protection for the electronics unit. This segmentation allows the protective function to be adapted to planar surfaces while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve section functions as a flexible protective shell that can be adapted to different vehicle part geometries. This shell-like structure provides effective sealing for the electronics unit while maintaining compatibility with planar body component surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12326031B2Actuating device with cover element, vehicle, and method

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An actuating device (10) for triggering a function of a vehicle (1) by a user is provided, having a cover element (11) for a vehicle part (2) of the vehicle (1) with a cover inner side (11.1) and a cover outer side (11.2), an electronics unit (12) having a sensor unit (20) for detecting an actuation action (200) of the user for triggering the function of the vehicle (1), an electronics outer side (12.2), and an electronics inner side (12.1) facing the electronics outer side (12.2). A vehicle (1), and a method (100) are also provided.