Vehicle Door Handle Key Cylinder Protection Bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional outside door handles of vehicles are vulnerable to improper doorlock release due to dislocation or destruction of the key cylinder by tools like screwdrivers or hammers, which existing solutions do not adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A handle assembly featuring a key cylinder protection bracket with an engaging hole and a second protection bracket coupled to the vehicle's inner panel, which transfers impact loads from the key cylinder to the panel, preventing dislocation and unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a key cylinder protection bracket with engaging hole is used to prevent screwdriver insertion, then protection against tool insertion is improved, but the key cylinder remains vulnerable to hammer impacts from outside the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against tool insertionVSAvoidvulnerability to hammer impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is divided into two separate brackets: a first key cylinder protection bracket that prevents tool insertion, and a second protection bracket that protects against hammer impacts. Each bracket addresses a specific threat, allowing the system to provide comprehensive protection without requiring a single complex component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second protection bracket acts as an intermediary barrier between the hammer impact and the key cylinder. It absorbs and distributes the impact force, preventing direct transmission to the key cylinder while maintaining the functionality of the first protection bracket.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the escutcheon is formed from synthetic resin to improve appearance and cost, then manufacturing ease and aesthetics are improved, but the doorlock becomes vulnerable to improper release by dislocating or destroying the key cylinder with a hammer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveescutcheon manufacturingVSAvoiddoorlock security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second protection bracket is installed beforehand to cushion and absorb potential hammer impacts on the key cylinder. This preventive measure is in place before any attack occurs, protecting the key cylinder from forces that would otherwise dislocate or destroy it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection system combines the synthetic resin escutcheon with metal protection brackets. The synthetic resin provides aesthetic and manufacturing advantages, while the metal brackets provide the necessary strength and impact resistance to protect the key cylinder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If existing protection measures like U-shaped engaging plates are used, then protection against screwdriver insertion is improved, but other types of improper releases such as hammer impacts remain unprotected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against screwdriver insertionVSAvoidcoverage against different attack types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of two protection brackets creates a universal protection system that addresses multiple attack types. The first bracket handles tool insertion threats, while the second bracket handles impact threats, making the system versatile against various burglary methods without requiring separate solutions for each threat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2108766B1Structure for outside door handle of vehicles
Publication Date: 2015.06.10 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2108766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2108766B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2108766B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An outside handle assembly of a vehicle door includes an escutcheon disposed in the outer panel of the vehicle door, a handle body disposed at a vehicular outer side of the escutcheon, a first protection bracket disposed at the vehicular inner side of the escutcheon, the first protection bracket comprising an engaging hole configured to receive a key cylinder, and a second protection bracket disposed at the vehicular inner side of the escutcheon to cover a periphery of the key cylinder, wherein the second protection bracket is coupled to the inner panel of the vehicle door and comprises at least one support contacting the first protection bracket, and wherein the second protection bracket is arranged to receive an impact load exerted upon the first protection bracket toward the vehicular inner side.