Vehicle Door Handle Locking Structure for Collision Opening Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retractable outside door handles may protrude during a vehicle collision, preventing door opening functionality, and existing solutions fail to maintain door opening functionality while preventing unintended door opening during such events.
Innovation Solution
A structure featuring a handle housing with a blocking lever assembly that includes a rotatable blocking lever, an assist lever, and a housing stopper, which upon external impact, rotates to prevent door handle rotation and maintains door opening functionality by positioning the assist lever out of the door handle's movement path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outside door handle protrudes outward along the width direction of the vehicle from the door external panel, then the operator's operation convenience is improved, but the appearance of the vehicle deteriorates and driving noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outside door handle is designed to be movable between a protruding state (for easy operation) and a retracted state (for improved appearance and reduced noise). The handle can pivot or translate along its mounting axis, allowing it to dynamically change position based on operational needs versus aesthetic requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The outside door handle is stored within a receiving hole formed in the door external panel when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows the handle to be accommodated within the door structure, eliminating the protrusion that causes appearance deterioration and driving noise, while still being accessible when needed.
2Shape
If the flush door handle is retracted into the receiving hole during vehicle collision, then the appearance is maintained, but the door opening functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A collision detection mechanism is implemented that detects external impacts on the vehicle door. Upon detecting a collision, the system proactively activates the door handle protrusion mechanism to ensure the handle is in the operational position, preventing the loss of door opening functionality that would otherwise occur due to the handle being retracted into the receiving hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect collision events and provide feedback to the control mechanism. This feedback triggers the automatic protrusion of the door handle, ensuring it remains accessible for emergency door opening operations following a collision, thus maintaining reliability while preserving the flush appearance during normal operation.
3Shape
If the door handle is made retractable to improve appearance and reduce noise, then the aesthetic quality is improved, but the door may not open during vehicle collision
Solution Approach 1:
The collision detection system activates the door handle protrusion mechanism in advance or immediately upon detecting a collision event. This preliminary action ensures the handle is in the operational position before the collision fully impacts the door, preventing the handle from remaining retracted and inaccessible during critical emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
A control mechanism acts as an intermediary between the collision detection sensor and the door handle actuator. This intermediary system processes the collision signal and automatically triggers the handle to protrude from the receiving hole, ensuring the handle becomes accessible for door opening operations following a collision, thus eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining aesthetic quality.
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
Effectively prevents unintentional door opening during vehicle collisions while allowing the door to be opened post-collision by returning the blocking lever assembly to its original position, ensuring both safety and operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking lever assembly including a blocking lever rotatably coupled to the handle housing and having an inertia portion formed on a portion of the blocking lever
Implementation Method 2
a lever spring that rotates the blocking lever assembly when the rotation contact end portion presses the assist lever to move the blocking lever assembly out of the movement path of the rotation contact end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A structure of preventing door opening in vehicle collision may include a handle housing including a housing stopper, a door handle rotatably mounted around a door handle rotation axis on the handle housing, and of which a rotation contact end portion formed at one end portion thereof, and a blocking lever assembly including a blocking lever rotatably coupled to the handle housing and having an inertia portion formed on a portion of the blocking lever, and an assist lever selectively protruded from the blocking lever, wherein, when the blocking lever assembly is rotated by an external impact applied to the blocking lever assembly, the assist lever protrudes out of the blocking lever to be caught by the housing stopper and positioned in a movement path of the rotation contact end portion.