Vehicle Door Handle Inductive Activation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outside door handles for vehicles often suffer from unreliable detection of activation actions due to external influences like moisture and rain, leading to incorrect detection and reduced comfort, and the arrangement of sensors can be inadequate for the door handle design.

Innovation Solution

An outside door handle with an elastically deformable body and an inductive activation means, where a sensor device measures inductance changes in the deformation area to detect activation actions, ensuring reliable detection by differentiating between actual deformation and external influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If capacitive sensors are used to detect proximity, then detection capability is provided, but external influences such as humidity or rain lead to faulty detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces capacitive sensors with an inductive sensor system that uses electromagnetic induction to detect the position of the door handle. This substitution eliminates the sensitivity to humidity and rain that plagues capacitive sensors, as inductive detection is not affected by these environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from capacitive coupling to inductance measurement. By measuring the inductance of a coil that changes when the door handle is pulled, the system achieves reliable detection that is insensitive to humidity and rain, directly addressing the reliability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If sensors are arranged to detect activation actions, then activation detection is enabled, but the arrangement is inadequately adapted to the door handle design and increases space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation detectionVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor system with the door handle structure itself. The inductive sensor and coil are integrated into the housing, and the door handle body serves as part of the detection mechanism. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensor arrangements and reduces space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The door handle body serves multiple functions: it is both the mechanical component that is pulled to open the door and the inductive element that is detected by the sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection components, simplifying the overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If sensors are used to detect activation actions, then activation detection is provided, but sensitivity is insufficient thus reducing user comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidsensor sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional sensors with an inductive detection system that uses electromagnetic fields. This substitution provides higher sensitivity because the inductance change is directly proportional to the physical displacement of the door handle, enabling detection of even subtle pulling actions that enhance user comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides reliable and accurate detection of activation actions, enhancing user comfort and reducing false triggers, while being insensitive to external factors like moisture, thus improving the overall performance of the electric lock activation system.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor device arranged inside the door handle body for measuring inductance at the activation means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductance measurement: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the door handle body is designed such that an activation action can be carried out by an operator on the door handle body within a deformation area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3322869B1Exterior door handle for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to an exterior door handle (10) for a vehicle (3), in particular for activating an electric lock (2) of the vehicle (3), comprising: - a door handle base (20) having a wall (22), said door handle base (20) being designed such that a user (5) can carry out an activation action on the door handle base (20) in a deformation zone (40); - at least one inductive activation means (60) arranged in the deformation zone (40); and - at least one sensor device (30), which is arranged inside the door handle base (20) and serves in particular for measuring the inductance on the activation means (60). The door handle base (20) is designed to be elastically deformable at least in the deformation zone (40), and the sensor device (30) is spaced apart from the activation means (60) such that the deformation of the door handle base (20) can be detected by measuring the inductance.