Door Handle Light Guide Nesting for User Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door handles with integrated light units can be inconvenient for users as the light guide may be touched when gripping, causing discomfort and potential dirt accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A door handle design where the light guide's output surface is positioned inside the casing, with the light guide held between panels and supported by holding protrusions, preventing direct contact and ensuring the light guide is not exposed to the outer surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the light guide protrudes outside the casing to emit light, then the light emission function is improved, but the user's hand may touch the light guide causing discomfort and dirt accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emissionVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is nested inside the casing rather than protruding outward. The light output surface is positioned within the outer surface of the casing, allowing the light guide to be contained within the housing structure while still emitting light effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The casing acts as an intermediary between the light guide and the user's hand. By positioning the light output surface inside the casing, the casing material serves as a barrier that prevents direct contact between the user's hand and the light guide surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If the light guide protrudes outside the casing, then light can be emitted in a predetermined direction, but the surface of the light guide may get dirty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emission directionalityVSAvoiddirt accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is nested within the casing structure, with its output surface positioned inside the outer surface of the casing. This nesting arrangement protects the light guide surface from direct exposure to environmental contaminants while maintaining its light emission functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The casing, which could potentially block light, is instead used as a protective barrier that prevents dirt and contaminants from reaching the light guide surface. The structure that might seem to limit light emission actually protects the light guide from degradation due to contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the light guide is held between panels with holding protrusions, then the light guide is securely positioned, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight guide positioningVSAvoidholding structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding protrusions on the panels serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the light guide, position it accurately, and secure it in place. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated holding components, reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding function is merged into the panel structure itself through the holding protrusions. Instead of using separate holding components, the panels are designed with integrated protrusions that perform the holding function, combining structural support and positioning into a single integrated feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration reduces user discomfort and prevents dirt accumulation by ensuring the light guide is not touched during handling and does not emit the casing's color, maintaining a consistent light output.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide that guides light emitted from the light member in a first predetermined direction and emits the guided light from a light output surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guiding: Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentUS10207633B2Door handle

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 KOITO MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A door handle includes a casing inside which an accommodation space is provided, and a lamp unit disposed in the accommodation space. The lamp unit includes a light member, and a light guide that guides light emitted from the light member in a first predetermined direction and emits the guided light from a light output surface. In the door handle, the light output surface is positioned inside an outer surface of the casing.