Vehicle Door Handle Capacitive Sensor Interlock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional powered door latches in vehicles can be unintentionally triggered, leading to accidental release of the door latch, which is a safety concern.
Innovation Solution
The integration of capacitive sensors on both sides of the interior door handle, in conjunction with a manually actuated switch, ensures that the powered latch mechanism only unlatches when a user's hand is detected and the switch is actuated within a predefined time interval, preventing accidental releases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electrical unlatch switch is used to control the powered latch mechanism, then the door can be opened conveniently, but the door latch may be unintentionally or accidentally triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces capacitive sensors as an intermediary between the user and the unlatch switch. The sensors detect the user's hand presence on the door handle before allowing the unlatch function to activate, thereby preventing accidental triggering while maintaining ease of operation. This intermediary verification step ensures that only intentional actions result in door opening.
2Reliability
If sensors are added to detect user's hand presence, then accidental release is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor systems with capacitive sensors that utilize electrical fields to detect hand presence. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining reliability, as capacitive sensors have no moving parts and can be integrated into the existing door handle structure with minimal additional components.
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
This solution enhances safety by ensuring that the door latch can only be released when a user intentionally activates the switch while grasping the handle, thereby reducing the risk of accidental door opening during vehicle operation or emergency maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive sensors disposed on opposite sides thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door includes a powered latch mechanism and an interior door handle having first and second sensors disposed on opposite sides of the interior door handle. The first and second sensors are configured to detect the presence of a user's hand to control operation of the powered latch mechanism. The powered latch may be unlatched if an unlatch switch is actuated and the first and second sensors detect the presence of a user's hand.