Door Handle Locking Device Asymmetric Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional door handle arrangements with mass locks fail to reliably block the handle or coupling device during alternating acceleration forces in vehicle accidents, leading to potential unintended actuation and reduced longevity due to lack of movement in adverse weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A door handle arrangement with a coupling device featuring a pivoted lever element and angled extension that moves the locking device into one of two blocking directions, ensuring it remains active even under alternating acceleration forces, and includes a rotatable locking device with a +/-90° to +/-270° range of motion to prevent handle actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a mass lock is designed to move in only one blocking direction, then the structure is simpler, but the locking device cannot reliably block the handle under alternating acceleration forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking device structureVSAvoidblocking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed with asymmetric blocking capability, allowing movement in a first blocking direction to engage with the coupling device while preventing movement in the opposite second blocking direction. This asymmetric design enables reliable blocking under alternating acceleration forces without requiring complex bidirectional blocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically respond to acceleration forces. The device can shift position within the handle carrier to engage or disengage from the coupling device, providing adaptive blocking that responds to the direction and magnitude of applied forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the locking device is made movable in both blocking directions, then the blocking reliability under alternating acceleration forces is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblocking reliabilityVSAvoidlocking device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than implementing symmetric bidirectional blocking mechanisms, the patent uses asymmetric design where the locking device engages in one direction and is passively blocked in the opposite direction by the coupling device geometry, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device serves as an intermediary element between the handle and locking device. Its geometric design mediates the interaction, allowing the locking device to block handle movement through its interaction with the coupling device rather than requiring direct complex blocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the locking device has a limited adjustment travel range, then the device size is smaller, but it cannot reliably prevent handle actuation during crash vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking device sizeVSAvoidcrash protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking mechanism operates in multiple dimensions through the spatial relationship between the locking device, coupling device, and handle carrier. The locking device blocks handle movement not just through linear travel but through its positional relationship and geometric constraints in three-dimensional space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device acts as a mediator that amplifies the blocking effect. The locking device blocks the coupling device, which in turn blocks the handle, creating a mechanical advantage that extends the effective blocking range beyond the physical travel distance of the locking device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the locking device is not moved regularly, then the mechanism remains stationary, but it jams or corrodes over long vehicle lifespans

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidlong-term functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed to be continuously moved through normal handle operation. Each time the handle is actuated, the locking device shifts position, ensuring regular movement that prevents corrosion and jamming while maintaining the mechanical stability needed for crash protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The normal operational use of the handle serves to maintain the locking device. Regular handle actuation automatically moves the locking device, providing self-maintenance that prevents corrosion and jamming without requiring separate maintenance mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively blocks the handle and coupling device during both intended manual operation and accidental acceleration forces, maintaining functionality over long vehicle lifespans by ensuring the locking device is constantly moved, preventing jamming or corrosion, and providing adequate blocking range to withstand crash conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a locking device serving as a mass lock, which is movably held on the handle support and is designed in such a way that, when an acceleration force is applied, it can be moved out of a rest position due to the inertia of its mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP2818615B2Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2818615B2 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2818615B2 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP2818615B2 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

In a door handle arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising a handle carrier (6), a handle (4), a coupling device (7) and a locking device (8), which is movably held on the handle carrier (6) and is designed such that, under the influence of an acceleration force, it can be moved from a rest position, in which actuation of the handle (4) is possible, to a first blocking direction (19), in which actuation of the locking arrangement (5) by the handle (4) and/or the coupling device (7) is blocked, a solution is to be provided which, in a structurally simple and cost-effective manner, provides a door handle arrangement in which the locking device reliably and safely blocks the handle or the coupling device even under alternating acceleration forces resulting from a crash.This is achieved by the locking device (8) being designed to be movable from the rest position into a second blocking direction (26) when an acceleration force is applied, due to the inertia of its mass, in which actuation of the locking arrangement (5) by the handle (4) and/or the coupling device (7) is blocked, wherein the second blocking direction (26) is opposite to the first blocking direction (19).