Deformable Blocking Element Prevents Door Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door handle devices in motor vehicles fail to effectively and cost-efficiently prevent unwanted door opening during accident-related deformations, as they often result in inadvertent unlocking due to deformation-induced actuation of the unlocking device.
Innovation Solution
A door handle device featuring a plastically and/or elastically deformable blocking element attached to the bearing bracket, which changes its position to engage with the unlocking device, preventing its actuation and ensuring reliable blocking without additional components, thus preventing door opening in case of deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking element is added to prevent door opening during deformation, then door security in accidents is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is integrated with the bearing bracket as a single component, eliminating the need for separate blocking mechanisms. The bearing bracket itself is designed with blocking functionality, merging two functions (supporting the door handle and blocking during deformation) into one component, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing bracket serves multiple functions: it supports the door handle during normal operation and acts as a blocking element during accident-related deformation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated blocking components, reducing device complexity while ensuring door security in accidents.
2Reliability
If additional blocking components are added to the door handle device, then blocking reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking functionality is merged into the bearing bracket, eliminating the need for additional blocking components. This integration reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining blocking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing bracket is designed to perform both its traditional support function and the additional blocking function. This multi-functionality reduces the bill of materials and assembly requirements, leading to cost savings in manufacturing while ensuring reliable door blocking during accidents.
3Device complexity
If a blocking element is integrated into the bearing bracket, then device complexity is reduced, but the blocking element may be inadvertently activated during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing bracket is designed with specific geometric features and material properties in the blocking region that differ from the rest of the component. The blocking functionality is localized to specific areas of the bearing bracket, ensuring that only deformation beyond a certain threshold (accident-level forces) activates the blocking mechanism, while normal operational forces do not trigger it.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing bracket incorporates elements with different mechanical properties (such as elastically or plastically deformable sections) that change their state only under extreme deformation conditions. This parameter-based differentiation ensures that the blocking function is activated only during accident-related deformation and not during normal door operation, preventing unintended blocking while maintaining simplicity.
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 provides a cost-effective, weight-saving, and space-efficient mechanism that reliably blocks the door from opening during accidents by ensuring the blocking element remains engaged with the unlocking device, preventing unintended unlocking and door opening.
Implementation Method 1
the blocking element is designed to be plastically and/or elastically deformable at least in sections such that the blocking element is movable into the blocking position at least in sections in the direction of the bearing bracket
Implementation Method 2
the blocking element is designed to be plastically and/or elastically deformable at least in sections such that the blocking element is movable into the blocking position at least in sections in the direction of the bearing bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A door handle device for a door of a motor vehicle, with a bearing bracket attachable/attached to the door, with a door handle pivotally mounted on the bearing bracket, with an unlocking device that connects the door handle to the door lock so as to unlock the door lock upon actuation of the door handle, and with a blocking element, which is disposed on the bearing bracket in a release position releasing the unlocking device. The blocking element is at least partly displaceable into a blocking position preventing the unlocking device from unlocking so as to prevent opening of the door in an accident-related deformation of the door. It is provided that the blocking element is designed to be plastically and/or elastically deformable at least in sections such that the blocking element is movable into the blocking position at least in sections in the direction of the bearing bracket.