Automobile Door Handle With Dual Inertial Crash Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle side door handles with inertial safety systems face issues of either complete blocking during slight shocks or unexpected opening during strong shocks due to irreversible or reversible blocking mechanisms, leading to increased mass and bulk when attempting to balance these conditions.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door handle with a dual inertial safety system featuring a first inertial mass that locks reversibly during low accelerations and a second inertial mass that locks irreversibly during high accelerations, preventing untimely door opening across a range of shock conditions without excessive bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reversible inertial system is used to block the transmission lever during low accelerations, then the handle can be reset after minor shocks, but the handle may open unexpectedly during strong shocks or succession of shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The inertial system is segmented into two distinct inertial masses: a first inertial mass for reversible blocking during low accelerations, and a second inertial mass for irreversible blocking during high accelerations. This segmentation allows each mass to handle specific acceleration ranges, resolving the contradiction between reset capability and security during strong shocks.
2Reliability
If an irreversible inertial system is used to block the transmission lever during impact, then the door remains secure during strong shocks, but the handle is completely blocked during slight shocks or assembly accidents
Solution Approach 1:
Different blocking characteristics are assigned to different parts of the system: the first inertial mass provides reversible blocking for minor shocks, while the second inertial mass provides irreversible blocking for major impacts. This local differentiation of quality allows the system to respond appropriately to varying shock intensities.
3Ease of operation
If counterweights are added to balance the handle weight and prevent complete blocking during slight shock, then the handle remains operable, but the mass and overall bulk of the support considerably increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the blocking parameter dynamically based on acceleration magnitude. Instead of using heavy counterweights to prevent complete blocking, the patent uses two inertial masses with different blocking characteristics that automatically activate based on the shock intensity, achieving operability without increasing support mass.
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
The dual inertial mass system effectively blocks the transmission lever in both low and high acceleration scenarios, preventing door opening issues while maintaining a balanced and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
a first inertial mass which locks in the active position in a reversible manner
Implementation Method 2
a second inertial mass which locks in the active position, irreversibly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5c
Figure 6a~6c
AI summary
The invention relates to a handle for a door leaf of an automobile, including: a gripping lever (3, 103, 203) rotatably movable relative to the door leaf about a first axis of rotation (Z) between an inoperative position and a control position for opening a lock of the door leaf; a transmission lever (11, 111, 211) mounted in a base (5, 105, 205) of the handle attached to the door leaf, the transmission lever (11, 111, 211) being configured so as to be actuated by the gripping lever (3, 103, 203) and to pivot about a second axis of rotation (A) between an inoperative position and an operative position in which the transmission lever (11, 111, 211) actuates the opening of the lock; and a safety system (9) mounted in the base (5, 105, 205), configured to prevent the rotation of the transmission lever (11, 111, 211) in the event of a crash, characterised in that the safety system (9) comprises two inertial bodies (17, 117, 217) and (27, 127, 227), pivotably mounted between an inoperative position and an operative position, preventing the rotation of the transmission lever (11, 111, 211), wherein one of said bodies is locked in the operative position in a non-reversible manner.