Vehicle Door Handle Back-Up Mechanism Using Cavity Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door handle assemblies with back-up mechanisms are complex and occupy significant space, making them difficult for users to interact with during electric motor or car battery failures.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door handle assembly featuring a compact back-up mechanism with a flap that covers a cavity inside the handle grip, allowing users to manually move the handle grip between flush and ready positions by accessing the cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional back-up mechanism with multiple components is used, then the door can be opened during electric motor or battery failure, but the mechanism occupies significant space and becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of the back-up mechanism by removing unnecessary components. Instead of using a complex push-push mechanism with multiple elements, the patent uses a simple cavity inside the handle grip that can be directly accessed by the user's fingers or a tool, eliminating the need for intermediate mechanical components while maintaining the door opening capability during electric failure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flap (thin film/shell) that covers the cavity in normal operation but can be easily opened by the user when needed. This flap acts as a simple barrier that maintains the flush appearance during normal use while allowing direct access to the cavity for manual operation during failure conditions, replacing complex mechanical protection systems
2Reliability
If a traditional back-up mechanism with multiple components is used, then the door can be opened during electric motor or battery failure, but the mechanism occupies significant space inside the handle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention nests the back-up mechanism directly within the handle grip structure itself. The cavity is integrated into the handle grip, and the flap is part of the handle assembly, eliminating the need for separate back-up mechanism housings or additional space allocations. This nested approach allows the back-up function to be embedded within the existing handle volume
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes unnecessary intermediate components that would occupy space. By using a direct finger-access cavity instead of a multi-element push-push mechanism, the patent significantly reduces the volume required for the back-up function while maintaining its reliability
3Reliability
If a complex back-up mechanism is used, then the door can be opened during failure, but it becomes difficult for users to easily interact with the handle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the back-up operation from complex mechanical sequences and reduces it to simple direct manipulation. The user can directly access the cavity with their fingers or a tool and pull the handle grip, eliminating the need to navigate complex push-push sequences or locate hidden mechanisms, thereby significantly improving ease of operation during failure conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity design allows the user to directly insert their fingers or a tool and perform the extraction action themselves without needing to operate complex mechanical linkages or sequences. The system is designed to be directly operable by the user's natural hand movements, making it intuitive and easy to use during emergency situations
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 simple, space-saving, and cost-effective back-up mechanism that enables easy user interaction with the door handle during failures, ensuring reliable operation without the need for complex components.
Implementation Method 1
the vehicle door handle assembly comprises an elastic return element configured to move the flap from the open position back into the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door handle assembly includes a handle grip that is movable between a flushing position in which it is flush with an exterior door panel surface and a ready position in which it is protruding and graspable by a user. The vehicle door handle assembly also includes a back-up mechanism that includes a flap covering at least partially a cavity arranged inside the handle grip, the flap being movable between a closed position in which it covers the cavity inside the handle grip and an open position in which it permits access to the inside of the cavity, hence allowing a user to insert his fingers or an object inside the cavity and to pull on the handle grip in order to move it from the flushing position to the ready position.