Vehicle Door Handle Bracket Assembly for Hands-Free Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing process of attaching a mounting bracket to a vehicle door panel requires both hands, making it inefficient and risking the bracket from falling before secure attachment.

Innovation Solution

The use of complementary coupling elements on the vehicle door panel and mounting bracket allows for the bracket to be positioned and secured in an intermediate assembly position, ensuring it remains attached until final secure attachment, using movements along specific axes to prevent detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional screwing method is used to attach mounting bracket to vehicle door panel, then secure attachment is achieved, but both hands are required making the process inefficient and risking bracket detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidbracket positioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment process is segmented into two distinct phases: a preliminary positioning phase using complementary coupling elements (allowing one-handed operation), and a final securing phase using screws or bolts. This segmentation allows the operator to complete positioning with one hand while the other hand prepares fastening tools, eliminating the need to hold the bracket with both hands simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complementary coupling elements perform preliminary positioning and temporary securing of the mounting bracket to the vehicle door panel before final attachment. The coupling elements engage preliminary, holding the bracket in correct position and preventing detachment during the subsequent screwing operation, enabling hands-free final securing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If operator uses one hand to position mounting bracket and other hand to screw, then attachment process is simplified, but positioning precision and stability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment speedVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The complementary coupling elements act as an intermediary mechanism between the mounting bracket and the vehicle door panel. These elements provide precise positioning guidance and temporary securing, ensuring accurate alignment without requiring the operator to manually hold the bracket. The intermediary coupling elements maintain positioning precision while enabling faster, one-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If mounting bracket is attached directly without preliminary positioning, then attachment is faster, but bracket may fall or misalign before secure attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment timeVSAvoidbracket retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The complementary coupling elements perform preliminary positioning and temporary securing of the mounting bracket before final screw attachment. This preliminary action ensures the bracket is correctly positioned and retained during the attachment process, preventing falls or misalignment, while the entire process remains rapid due to the simple coupling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4600058A1Assembly for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS ITALIA SPA
  • EP4600058A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4600058A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4600058A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to an assembly (1) for a vehicle comprising: - a vehicle door panel (2), - a mounting bracket (3) for mounting a vehicle door handle on the vehicle door panel (2), the vehicle door panel (2) and the mounting bracket (3) comprising complementary coupling elements (4, 5) to assemble the mounting bracket (3) to the vehicle door panel (2), the complementary coupling elements (4, 5) being configured so that the mounting bracket (3) can be mounted on the vehicle door panel (2) between o an intermediate assembly position, and o a final assembly position wherein the mounting bracket (3) cannot be separated from the vehicle door panel (2) without first moving the mounting bracket (3) toward the intermediate assembly position.