Deployable Vehicle Assist Grip With Door-Triggered Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle grip devices for ingress and egress are removable, leading to issues such as manual storage and deployment challenges, potential damage to vehicles, and accessibility problems during operation.

Innovation Solution

A deployable grip system integrated into the vehicle, featuring a support and handle that automatically deploys and retracts based on door position, using sensors and motors for automated operation and alerts, reducing the risk of damage and improving accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a removable handle device is used to assist occupant ingress and egress, then the occupant gains a leverage point for support, but the device requires manual storage and deployment and may become an impediment during vehicle operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupant ingress and egress assistanceVSAvoidmanual storage and deployment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle device is integrated into the vehicle structure by coupling it to the door frame, merging the assistive device with the vehicle itself. This eliminates the need for separate removable handles that require manual storage and deployment, while maintaining the ingress/egress assistance function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is configured to automatically deploy and retract based on door position sensing, eliminating manual deployment requirements. The system serves itself by using the door's operational state to trigger appropriate handle configurations without occupant intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the handle device is manually deployed, then the occupant can access the device when needed, but there is risk that the device may move during operation and become inaccessible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle accessibilityVSAvoiddevice position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors that detect door position and provide feedback to the control mechanism. This feedback loop ensures the handle device remains in the appropriate deployed or retracted state based on actual door conditions, preventing mispositioning and ensuring reliable accessibility when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical deployment is replaced with an automated system using sensors and motors. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues associated with manual deployment, as the electronic control system ensures the device is positioned correctly based on sensed door conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If the device attaches to the door frame to provide support, then the occupant gains a secure grip point, but use of the device can cause damage to the vehicle or device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip support capabilityVSAvoiddamage to vehicle door frame

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle device is configured to dynamically deploy and retract based on door position. By retracting when the door is closed and only deploying when the door is open, the system maintains structural integrity and prevents damage while providing support capability when actually needed for ingress/egress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively retracts the handle device before door closure occurs, preventing potential damage in advance. The sensor detects door position and triggers retraction beforehand, eliminating the risk of damage rather than reacting after damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the handle is fixed in a deployed position, then the occupant has constant access, but the device cannot be stowed when not needed and may impede door operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle accessibilityVSAvoidinterference with door closing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle device transitions from a fixed position to a dynamic positionable state, automatically adjusting between deployed and retracted positions based on door status. This dynamic behavior ensures accessibility when the door is open while preventing interference with door closure operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Door position sensors provide continuous feedback to the control system, which automatically commands the handle to retract when the door approaches the closed position. This feedback mechanism prevents the handle from impeding door operation while maintaining accessibility during open-door conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11833949B2Integrated assist grip device

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

Systems are provided for integrating a deployable grip with a vehicle. The deployable grip may comprise a support coupled to a portion of a vehicle and a handle attached to the support and configured to move between a deployed position and a retracted position relative to the support upon application of a force on the handle. The handle provides a physical aid, when deployed, to an occupant of the vehicle while the occupant is entering or exiting the vehicle, is deployable when a door of the vehicle proximal to which the support is coupled to the portion of the vehicle is open, is not deployable when the door is closed.