Door Handle Actuation Module Elastic Bearing Element
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door handle actuation modules for motor vehicles, encapsulated with polyurethane to protect against dust and moisture, lose their elastic properties at low temperatures, making it difficult to actuate the actuating element and worsening the haptic experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bearing element made of elastic material, such as cellular rubber foam or one-component silicone compound, which retains its elastic properties down to at least -40 degrees Celsius, ensuring reliable actuation and improved haptics by maintaining deformability even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If polyurethane potting compound is used to seal the electrical component, then protection against dust and moisture is improved, but elastic properties are lost at low temperatures making actuation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided into two parts: the potting compound provides dust and moisture protection, while the separate elastic bearing element provides the necessary elasticity for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic bearing element acts as an intermediary between the actuating element and the electrical component. It transmits the actuation force while maintaining elasticity at low temperatures, mediating between the rigid potting compound structure and the movable actuating element.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polyurethane potting compound is used to seal the electrical component, then sealing is improved, but haptic feedback is impaired due to loss of elastic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing and haptic feedback functions are separated into different components. The potting compound handles sealing, while the elastic bearing element handles haptic feedback by deforming under actuation force and providing tactile response to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing element is made of cellular rubber foam, a porous material that maintains elasticity at low temperatures. The cellular structure allows compression and deformation, providing haptic feedback while the material remains flexible in cold conditions.
3Reliability
If foam bearing element is added to maintain elasticity at low temperatures, then actuation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element is integrated into the existing receptacle structure, merging the support and sealing functions with the actuation mechanism. This reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure despite adding the elastic element.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam bearing element serves multiple functions: it provides elasticity for actuation, maintains haptic feedback, seals gaps between components, and absorbs thermal expansion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
4Ease of operation
If one-component silicone compound is used as potting compound, then elastic properties at low temperatures are improved, but manufacturing cost may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard polyurethane potting compound for the sealing function, accepting that it will lose elasticity at low temperatures. The more expensive one-component silicone compound is used only for the bearing element where elasticity is critical, optimizing cost by applying the expensive material only where absolutely necessary.
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 allows for safe and proper actuation of the actuating element at low temperatures, maintaining good feel and reliability, while also reducing production costs by eliminating the need for additional electrodes and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing element (10) made of an elastic material is arranged on the actuating element (3) and is designed to move the actuating element (3)
Implementation Method 2
The foam has the advantage of remaining deformable even at low temperatures of -40°C or lower, because its cellular structure provides sufficient space for compression
Implementation Method 3
this one-component silicone compound possesses another important property: it does not harden at temperatures as low as -70°C
Implementation Method 4
the potting compound retains its elastic properties even at these temperatures in order to allow movement of the actuating element
Implementation Method 5
the foam can be at least partially enclosed by the potting compound... the foam is compressed. This significantly improves the haptic feedback when actuating the module
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an actuation module (2) for a door handle (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuation element (3) which can be coupled to an electric component (7) for triggering a switching signal; at least part of the actuation element (3) can be placed in a receptacle (4) inside which a sealing compound (11) for sealing the electric components (7) is disposed; a bearing element which is made of an elastic material (9) and is designed to move the actuation element (3) is arranged on the actuation element (3).