Vehicle Door Handle Unit Crash Lock Reset Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door handle units in vehicles fail to securely keep doors closed during crashes, as crash locks require deactivation by trained specialists and can be inadvertently triggered, leading to unintended door opening.
Innovation Solution
A door handle unit with a crash lock that automatically transitions into a blocking position during acceleration forces, requiring a specific movement sequence to return to normal, allowing non-trained individuals to safely open doors post-crash without needing workshop intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crash lock is used to prevent unwanted door handle movement during acceleration forces, then door security during crashes is improved, but the door handle cannot be operated normally after activation without workshop intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle unit is designed to automatically reset the crash lock mechanism through its own operational movements. When the door handle is pulled after a crash, the coupling unit's movement automatically transfers the crash lock from blocking position to active position, allowing the door to be opened without external workshop intervention. The system serves itself by using the door handle's own operation to deactivate the safety block.
Solution Approach 2:
The crash lock mechanism is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to switch between blocking position (during/after crash) and active position (for normal operation). The coupling unit between the door handle and lock mechanism enables this dynamic transition through its movement, which automatically repositions the crash lock based on the door handle's operational state.
2Reliability
If a mass balance weight is used to counteract acceleration forces on the door handle, then prevention of unintentional door opening is improved, but the door handle operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A mass balance weight is integrated into the door handle unit to counteract the effects of acceleration forces during crashes. This counterweight creates opposing forces that prevent the door handle from moving unintentionally when subjected to sudden deceleration or impact, thereby maintaining door security without requiring additional complex safety systems.
3Reliability
If the crash lock is designed to block door handle movement during acceleration forces, then door security is improved, but the lock cannot be actuated normally after the crash lock is triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling unit serves as an intermediary mechanism between the door handle and the lock mechanism. It is designed to automatically transfer the crash lock from blocking position to active position through its movement when the door handle is pulled. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to transition from safety mode to operational mode without requiring separate control systems or workshop intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a door handle unit (10) for a lock (52) in a vehicle (50) with a door handle (11) which is movably mounted in a bearing frame (12) for opening a door (51), flap or the like by a user, wherein the door handle (11) has at least a rest position (Ia) and an operating position (Ib), a mechanical coupling unit (13) by which a movement of the door handle (11) from the rest position (Ia) to the operating position (Ib) can be transmitted to the lock (52), a crash lock (14) which has at least a normal position (IIa) and a locking position (IIb), wherein the crash lock (14) in its normal position (IIa) allows movement of the door handle (11) and/or the coupling unit (13) to actuate the lock (52) and in the locking position (IIb), which is present during or after the application of an acceleration force (60), especially in the event of an accident, movement of the door handle (11) and/or the coupling unit (13) is blocked in such a way,that actuation of the lock (52) is avoided. According to the invention, it is provided that the crash lock (14) in its blocking position (IIb) can be moved into the normal position (IIa) by a movement of the door handle (11) and/or the coupling unit (13).