Vehicle Door Handle Dust-Proof Wall Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle door opening and closing devices, foreign matter like sand and dirt can enter the torsion spring through gaps between the arm portion of the outer handle and the handle case, leading to degraded ease of operation, especially in vehicles like pickup trucks that often run on rough roads.
Innovation Solution
A dust-proof wall surrounds the coil portion of the return spring, formed from part of the handle case and a seal member between the handle case and the outer panel, preventing foreign matter from being caught in the spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the arm portion of the outer handle is extended through the opening of the handle case to enable operation on the exterior of the door, then the ease of operation is improved, but foreign matter such as sand and dirt can enter through the gap between the arm portion and the handle case and be caught in the torsion spring, degrading the ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
A dust-proof wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the return spring. This wall extends from the opening of the handle case to surround the coil portion of the return spring, creating a protective barrier that prevents foreign matter from entering while allowing the arm portion to move freely for operation
Solution Approach 2:
The dust-proof wall functions as a protective shell structure that encloses the return spring coil portion. This shell-like structure selectively blocks foreign matter while maintaining the operational flexibility of the outer handle arm portion that moves within the opening
2Reliability
If a dust-proof wall is added to surround the coil portion of the return spring to prevent foreign matter entry, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The dust-proof wall is merged with the existing seal member that is already disposed between the handle case and the outer panel. By integrating the dust-proof function into the existing seal member structure, the patent avoids adding a separate component while still providing protection for the return spring
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is given multiple functions: it serves both as a sealing element between the handle case and outer panel, and as a dust-proof wall protecting the return spring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated dust-proof component, maintaining device simplicity while improving reliability
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 solution effectively inhibits foreign matter from entering the return spring, maintaining the ease of operating the outer handle without the need for additional components, thus enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring having at least part thereof as a coil portion is provided between the handle case and a pivoting member
Data Source
AI summary
In a door opening and closing device for a vehicle, a handle case is mounted on an outer panel of a door, an arm portion of an outer handle that can be operated on the door extends through the handle case, penetrates into the outer panel, and is pivotably supported on the handle case, and a return spring is provided between the handle case and a pivoting member that is disposed on the handle case, pivotably supported on the handle case, and operatively linked to the outer handle. The device includes a dust proof wall surrounding a coil portion of the return spring. Accordingly, even when foreign matter enters an interior of the outer panel of the door through a gap between the arm portion of the outer handle and the handle case, it is possible to inhibit foreign matter from being caught in the return spring.