Vehicle Door Handle-Actuated Check Strap Latch for Stable Ingress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle door check straps do not restrict door rotation effectively, leading to unstable structures when entering or exiting a vehicle, and the placement of assist handles on non-moving vehicle structures compromises aesthetics and manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A handle-actuated locking mechanism that restricts door rotation relative to the vehicle body when deployed, allowing the door to be used as a stable aid for ingress and egress by engaging the check strap to prevent unwanted movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional check strap is used to control door movement, then the door is protected from damage and inadvertent movement, but the door cannot be used as a stable support structure for ingress and egress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor movement controlVSAvoiddoor stability as support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The check strap system transitions from a static restriction to a dynamic controlled state. The strap can be actively engaged or disengaged based on operational needs, allowing the door to be stable when needed and movable when required for ingress/egress assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A latch mechanism serves as an intermediary between the check strap and the door handle. This mediator allows selective engagement of the check strap to the handle, enabling controlled stabilization of the door without preventing its primary function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If assist handles are placed on non-moving vehicle structure near door opening, then door stability is provided, but vehicle aesthetics are reduced and manufacturing is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassist handle stabilityVSAvoidvehicle manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assist handle function is merged with the existing door assembly by integrating the check strap and latch mechanism into the door handle structure. This eliminates the need for separate assist handles on vehicle body structures, simplifying manufacturing and preserving aesthetics while providing door-stabilized assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The door assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the primary door closure function, contains the check strap for movement control, and incorporates the latch mechanism to enable the door to function as an assist handle for ingress/egress, eliminating the need for dedicated assist handles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10138661B2Ingress and egress aid through check strap latch

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 FCA US LLC

AI summary

An ingress/egress aid for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a door movable relative to the vehicle body between an open state and a closed state is provided and includes a handle rotatably supported by the door between a non-actuated state and a deployed state. The handle extends from the door in the deployed state. A locking mechanism restricts rotation of the door relative to the vehicle body in a locked state and permits rotation of the door relative to the vehicle body in an unlocked state. The locking mechanism is movable from the unlocked state to the locked state when the door is in the open state and the handle is moved from the non-actuated state to the deployed state.