Vehicle Door Handle Assembly Using Cam Kinematics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door handle arrangements for vehicles have a limited installation space, which restricts the overall depth of the door and can interfere with the window pane's movement, making it difficult to reduce the installation depth while maintaining functionality.

Innovation Solution

The door handle arrangement employs a coupling linkage between the first and second lever mechanisms, utilizing cam disk kinematics or slider crank kinematics to minimize the required space for handle movement, with a movement lever pivotably mounted on the second pivot axis, allowing for efficient and accurate handle operation with a reduced installation depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional lever mechanism is used to move the handle from non-use to operating position, then the handle can be extended for operation, but the installation depth of the door handle arrangement increases, which in turn increases the overall door depth and may obstruct window pane movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle extension for operationVSAvoidinstallation depth of door handle arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a traditional linear lever mechanism to a cam-based mechanism that operates in a rotational dimension. The cam disk rotates to convert rotational motion into linear handle extension, allowing the mechanism to achieve the same functional result while occupying less installation depth in the door's thickness direction.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic cam mechanism where the cam profile is specifically designed to control the handle's movement trajectory. The cam's rotational motion dynamically adjusts the lever's position, enabling smooth transition between retracted and extended states while minimizing the required installation space through optimized kinematics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of stationary object

If the installation depth is reduced to minimize overall door depth, then aerodynamics and aesthetics improve, but the space required for lever mechanism operation and window pane passage becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall door depthVSAvoidspace for mechanism operation and window movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cam mechanism utilizes rotational motion in the door's surface plane to achieve handle extension, rather than requiring deep linear space in the door's thickness direction. This dimensional transformation allows the mechanism to operate effectively within reduced installation depth while maintaining full functionality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the cam profile geometry and lever arm dimensions to achieve the required handle travel distance within a compact installation envelope. By carefully selecting and adjusting these geometric parameters, the mechanism achieves sufficient operational space while minimizing the door's overall depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If a motor-driven cam mechanism is used instead of a traditional lever system, then the handle movement achieves higher acceleration values and greater stiffness, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle movement accelerationVSAvoidmechanism structure with motor and cam
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional purely mechanical lever system with a motor-driven cam mechanism. The motor provides controlled rotational force to the cam disk, which then translates this into precise linear handle movement. This substitution enables higher acceleration and better control while the cam mechanism itself provides mechanical advantage to maintain stiffness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cam mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it converts rotational motor motion to linear handle extension, provides mechanical advantage for force multiplication, controls the timing and acceleration of handle movement, and maintains structural stiffness. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating several requirements into a single integrated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3688259B1Door handle assembly of a vehicle door
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3688259B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3688259B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3688259B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a door handle assembly (3) of a vehicle door (2), having a handle support (9), a handle (4) which is arranged so as to run flush with the outer contour (8) of the vehicle door (2) in a non-use position and which is designed to be movable into an actuation position, and a first lifting mechanism (11) and a second lifting mechanism (14), each of which is coupled to the handle (4) so as to transmit a movement, wherein the handle (4) is arranged so as to protrude relative to the outer contour (8) of the vehicle door (2) in the actuation position, and the first lifting mechanism (11) has a first pivot axis (15) which is arranged on the handle support (9). The first lifting mechanism (11) has a first joint axis (16), whereas the second lifting mechanism (14) has a second joint axis (18) and a second pivot axis (17) which is arranged on the support (9) and is coupled to the first lifting mechanism (11) via a coupling rod (19) so as to transmit a movement, said first pivot axis (15) or second pivot axis (17) being driven by a motor.