Vehicle Door Handle Assembly for Mechanical-to-Electric Latch Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from mechanical to electrical door opening mechanisms in vehicles is costly due to the need for complete redesign of vehicle doors, as existing solutions do not effectively convert mechanical handle displacements into electrical signals for electric latches.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door handle assembly that includes a movable lever, a converter to translate mechanical displacement into an electrical opening signal, and an electrical latch, utilizing a mechanical link like a Bowden cable or connecting rod, and an elastic element like a helicoidal spring to switch the signal, allowing for integration with existing mechanical handles without full door redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical latches are replaced by electrical latches to improve vehicle security, then door opening control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to complete door redesign
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening system is segmented into independent functional modules: the existing mechanical handle mechanism is retained and separated from the electrical latch system. A converter assembly is introduced as an intermediate module that receives mechanical input from the handle and generates electrical signals for the latch. This segmentation allows the electrical latch system to be added without redesigning the entire door, reducing manufacturing costs while improving door opening control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A converter assembly serves as an intermediary device between the mechanical handle and the electrical latch. The converter includes a movable part that translates mechanical displacement from the handle into electrical signals that activate the latch. This intermediary component enables compatibility between the existing mechanical handle system and the new electrical latch system, avoiding complete door redesign while achieving improved door opening control
2Reliability
If electrical latches are implemented to improve door opening control, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The converter assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: it houses the movable part that translates mechanical motion, contains the switch mechanism for signal generation, and provides mounting for the electrical latch. By combining these functions in one compact assembly, the system integration complexity is reduced while maintaining improved door opening control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The converter assembly is designed as a universal interface that can work with both mechanical handles and electrical latches. The movable part within the converter can be actuated by the mechanical handle's displacement, and the converter simultaneously generates electrical signals for the latch. This multi-functional design simplifies system integration while achieving reliable door opening control
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
Enables the use of mechanical handles with electric latches without redesigning the vehicle door, providing a cost-effective adaptation of existing mechanical door handle systems to electric door opening mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element configured for constraining the movable part in the rest position
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention refers to a vehicle door handle assembly (1) comprising: - a movable lever (7) arranged on an inner side of a vehicle door and configured for rotating from a rest position to an active position, - an electrical latch (15) configured for opening the door upon reception of an electrical opening signal, - a converter (13, 13') configured for converting a displacement of the movable lever (7) toward the active position into an electrical opening signal sent to the electrical latch (15), wherein the converter (13, 13') comprises: - a housing (21, 21') forming a recess, - a switch (23) arranged in the recess and connected to the electrical latch (15), - a movable part (27, 27') arranged in the recess and configured for moving from a rest position associated with a first state of the switch (23) wherein no signal is sent to an active position associated with a second state of the switch (23) wherein an electrical opening signal is sent to the electrical latch (15), - an elastic element (29, 29') configured for constraining the movable part(27, 27') in the rest position, - a mechanical link (11) arranged between the movable lever (7) and the movable part (27, 27').