Door Handle Restriction Lever for Side-Collision Opening Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door handle devices for vehicles require multiple parts to restrict handle operation in normal and collision states, leading to an excessive number of components.

Innovation Solution

A door handle device with a single restriction lever that moves between normal and emergency positions to restrict handle rotation, using a mass body that remains in place during collisions to prevent unintended door opening, without adding extra parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a restriction mechanism is added to restrict handle operation in normal state, then door opening can be prevented in normal state, but the number of parts increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening preventionVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the restriction mechanism and inertia mechanism into a single integrated restriction lever structure. The restriction lever includes both a restriction portion that contacts the transmission lever to prevent normal operation and an inertia portion that utilizes collision forces. This merging eliminates the need for separate restriction and inertia mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable door opening prevention and minimizing the number of parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The restriction lever serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the restriction mechanism (preventing handle rotation in normal state) and the inertia mechanism (responding to side collisions). The single component performs what would traditionally require separate dedicated components, achieving multi-functionality that resolves the technical contradiction.

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

2Ease of operation

If a restriction mechanism is added to restrict handle operation, then handle rotation can be controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle rotation controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction mechanism is merged with the inertia mechanism into a single restriction lever assembly. This integration maintains effective handle rotation control through the restriction portion while avoiding the increased device complexity that would result from adding a separate restriction mechanism to the existing inertia mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 restricts handle operation in normal states while preventing unintended door opening during side collisions, reducing the need for additional components and ensuring safety.

Implementation Method 1

when an inertial force equal to or greater than a set value is applied, the restriction lever is movable to an emergency restriction position in which rotation of the handle is restricted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial force: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP4628688A1Door handle device
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4628688A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628688A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4628688A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A door handle device 20 includes a handle 25 rotatable between an initial position at which a door latch device 10 cannot be actuated to open and an emergency operation position at which the door latch device 10 is manually actuated to open, via a normal operation position for electrically actuating the door latch device 10 to open, and a restriction lever 50 attached to a base 21. The restriction lever 50 includes a normal restriction portion 50a for restricting rotation of the handle 25 at the normal restriction position, a restriction release portion 50b for releasing rotational restriction of the handle 25 by the normal restriction portion 50a, and an emergency restriction portion 50c for restricting rotation of the handle 25 at the emergency restriction position.