Door Outer Handle Counter Weight Arc Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door outer handles face challenges in maintaining the door closed during a side collision due to the inertial force of the counter weight resisting the spring's pushing force, requiring a larger counter weight that is difficult to attach and increases space constraints within the door.
Innovation Solution
The door outer handle features a counter weight with an arc-shaped outer and inner circumferential surface, centered at the contact point, allowing for increased volume and size without increasing width, enabling easier attachment and enhancing inertial force during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the size of the counter weight is increased to generate sufficient inertial force, then the counter weight can effectively prevent unlatching during side collision, but the counter weight becomes difficult to insert through the attachment hole and increases space constraints within the door
Solution Approach 1:
The outer circumferential surface of the counter weight is formed in an arc shape that conforms to the circular path of rotation about the contact point. This curved geometry allows the counter weight to be inserted through the attachment hole while maintaining sufficient size for generating inertial force during door operation
Solution Approach 2:
The counter weight is positioned and shaped to utilize the rotational dimension about the contact point. By forming the outer surface as an arc centered at the contact point, the design exploits the third dimension (depth/radius) to provide sufficient mass for inertial force while keeping the width dimension small enough to fit through the attachment hole
2Reliability
If the size of the counter weight is increased in the vehicle's width direction, then the counter weight generates sufficient inertial force, but the space inside the door for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped outer circumferential surface allows the counter weight to achieve sufficient volume and mass for generating inertial force while maintaining a compact width profile that fits within the available door space
Solution Approach 2:
The counter weight concentrates its mass distribution in specific regions (with different densities or volumes at different locations) to generate sufficient inertial force while minimizing the overall width and preserving space for other door 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 configuration ensures a sufficient counter weight size that can be easily attached, reducing width constraints and increasing inertial force, effectively keeping the door locked during side collisions.
Implementation Method 1
Because the inertial force acts on the counter weight, the counter weight resists the pushing force of the spring and remains in the same position
Data Source
AI summary
A door outer handle which can be easily attached to an outer panel from the outside and in which the size of a counter weight is sufficiently ensured is provided. A door outer handle has an elongated shape. A hinge portion provided at one end of the door outer handle is inserted into a first attachment hole, and a counter weight provided at the other end of the door outer handle is inserted into a second attachment hole. An outer circumferential surface of the counter weight, which is located farthest from a contact point, is formed in an arc shape with a first radius, centered at the contact point. Furthermore, an inner circumferential surface of the counter weight, which is located closer to the contact point than the outer circumferential surface, is also formed in an arc shape with a second radius, centered at the contact point.