Automobile Door Handle Inertial Locking for Crash-Safe Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automobile side door handles' inertial systems either lock completely during low-impact collisions or open untimely during high-impact collisions, due to limitations in existing non-reversible and reversible locking mechanisms, leading to increased mass and bulk when attempting to balance these issues.
Innovation Solution
A handle with a dual inertial safety system featuring two pivotably mounted inertial bodies, one locking the transmission lever reversibly at low acceleration and the other locking it non-reversibly at high acceleration, using a combination of locking lugs and springs to manage the locking mechanism effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single inertial system is used to prevent untimely door opening, then the door is locked during collision, but the handle is completely locked even during low-impact collisions or assembly accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The single inertial system is divided into two separate inertial bodies (first and second inertial bodies) with different activation thresholds. The first inertial body activates at lower acceleration levels while the second activates at higher acceleration levels, allowing differentiated response to collision severity and preventing complete locking during low-impact events while maintaining reliability during serious collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the acceleration threshold parameter by using two distinct inertial bodies calibrated to different G-force levels. This allows the locking mechanism to respond appropriately to varying collision intensities, maintaining operability during low-impact events while ensuring security during high-impact collisions.
2Reliability
If the inertial system is calibrated for high acceleration, then the door remains locked during severe collisions, but the handle may open untimely during low-impact collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The protection mechanism is segmented into two layers: the first inertial body handles low-impact events by preventing untimely opening, while the second inertial body handles high-impact collisions. This segmentation ensures appropriate response to each collision severity level without compromising either low-impact operability or high-impact security.
Solution Approach 2:
The first inertial body acts as a cushioning layer that absorbs low-impact events, preventing them from triggering the more severe locking response. This prior cushioning allows the system to distinguish between minor disturbances and genuine collision threats, responding appropriately to each.
3Ease of operation
If a counterweight is added to balance the handle weight, then the handle is not completely locked during low-impact collisions, but the mass and overall bulk of the handle support increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical counterweight system is replaced with an inertial-based sensing system. Instead of using mass to balance the handle, the invention uses inertial bodies that detect acceleration forces and trigger locking only when necessary. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy counterweights while achieving the same protective function through intelligent force detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from a static mass-balancing approach to a dynamic acceleration-detection approach. By monitoring the acceleration parameter rather than relying on static weight distribution, the system achieves selective locking without requiring additional mass or bulk in the handle support structure.
4Ease of operation
If reversible locking is used, then the handle can be operated after low-impact collisions, but the door may open untimely during high-impact collisions or series of collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into reversible and non-reversible components activated at different acceleration levels. The first inertial body provides reversible locking for low-impact events, allowing handle reoperation. The second inertial body provides non-reversible locking for high-impact collisions, preventing untimely opening while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking state parameter changes from reversible to non-reversible based on the acceleration threshold exceeded. This parameter transition allows the system to adapt its locking characteristics to the severity of the collision, ensuring both operability after minor events and security after serious collisions.
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
Prevents untimely door opening across a range of collision accelerations, maintaining reversible locking at low acceleration and non-reversible locking at high acceleration without excessive mass or bulk, optimizing safety and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
two inertial bodies, pivotably mounted between an inoperative position and an operative position, preventing the rotation of the transmission lever
Data Source
AI summary
A handle for a door leaf of an automobile includes a gripping lever rotatably movable relative to the door leaf about a first axis of rotation between an inoperative position and a control position for opening a lock of the door leaf; a transmission lever mounted in a base of the handle attached to the door leaf, the transmission lever configured to be actuated by the gripping lever and to pivot about a second axis of rotation between inoperative and operative positions in which the transmission lever actuates the opening of the lock; and a safety system mounted in the base, configured to prevent the rotation of the transmission lever in the event of a crash. The safety system includes two inertial bodies pivotably mounted between inoperative and operative positions, preventing the rotation of the transmission lever in the event of a crash.