Motor Vehicle Door Handle Removable Lock Cylinder Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door handle mechanisms with removable caps for lock cylinders face issues of bulkiness, unreliability, aesthetic drawbacks, and operational difficulties due to the need for additional space and the risk of damage from excessive effort, especially when trying to access the key slot which can be hindered by water and dirt.
Innovation Solution
A door handle with an elastically deformable C-shaped cap that engages retention means on the lock cylinder housing, featuring a cam surface guiding the key for easy cap removal, eliminating the need for a separate retention clip and ensuring the slot remains covered, thus preventing water and dirt ingress and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a sliding cap arrangement is used to cover the lock cylinder, then the aesthetic appearance is improved and the slot is hidden, but additional space is required next to the handle and the mechanism becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cap and retention clip into a single integrated component. The cap serves dual functions: aesthetic coverage of the lock cylinder and retention through the integrated clip mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate retention clips and reduces the overall space requirement while maintaining the streamlined appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the retention function from a separate component and integrates it into the cap itself. The retention clip is formed as part of the cap structure, allowing the cap to perform both protective and retentive functions simultaneously, thereby reducing the volume of moving objects.
2Device complexity
If a snap-on cap with a visible slot is used, then the mechanism is simplified and no additional space is required, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and water/dirt can enter through the slot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cap and retention clip into one component, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining aesthetic appearance. The integrated design eliminates the need for a separate retention clip mechanism, reducing complexity while keeping the slot hidden when the cap is in place.
3Ease of operation
If a retention clip is used to secure the cap, then the cap can be easily removed, but the delicate structure of the clip is at risk of damage from excessive user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the retention clip into the cap structure, creating a more robust unified component. This integration strengthens the overall structure and reduces the risk of damage to delicate portions, while the cam surface provides mechanical advantage for easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cam surface as an intermediary mechanism between the user's action and the retention clip. The cam surface converts the user's pulling motion into a controlled force that reliably disengages the retention clip without requiring excessive effort, thereby protecting the clip from damage.
4Shape
If the slot is positioned close to the proximal edge to hide it, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but water and dirt can enter through the slot and hinder key insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the slot in a location that is preliminarily protected by the cap structure. When the cap is in its closed position, it preliminarily prevents water and dirt from reaching the slot. The slot is strategically positioned so that even when close to the edge for aesthetic purposes, the cap's geometry provides preliminary protection against harmful factors.
5Shape
If the cap is made with a small portion between the slot and proximal edge for aesthetic purposes, then the streamlined appearance is improved, but this small portion is at risk of breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cap and retention clip into a single integrated component, eliminating the vulnerable small portion between the slot and proximal edge. The integrated structure distributes mechanical stresses more evenly throughout the cap, eliminating weak points and improving overall durability while maintaining the streamlined appearance.
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 a compact, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing mechanism that simplifies cap removal, reduces the risk of damage, and maintains the handle's streamlined appearance by integrating the cap as a retention clip, allowing easy access without requiring uncomfortable positions or additional space.
Implementation Method 1
the cap has an elastically deformable C-shaped cross-section and first retention means formed therein suitable to engage second retention means formed on the housing of the lock cylinder
Implementation Method 2
said housing also includes a cam surface facing the release slot and suitable to guide the key tip in a slightly torsional outwards motion to make the cap removal easier
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A door handle for motor vehicle comprises an elastically biased mobile grip member (1) and a lock cylinder housing adjacent thereto covered by a removable protective cap (2), that is provided with a release slot formed in the side of the cap (2) facing the grip member (1). The cap (2) has an elastically deformable C-shaped cross-section and is provided with first retention means formed therein suitable to engage second retention means (6) formed on the lock cylinder housing that also includes a cam surface facing the release slot and suitable to guide the tip of a key (K) in a slightly torsional outwards motion for an easy and smooth removal of the cap. This results in an aesthetically pleasant, cheap, compact, convenient and reliable system for protecting the lock cylinder.