Motorized Vehicle Door Handle With Deflection-Locked Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable vehicle door handles are complex and costly due to their multiple degrees of freedom and mechanical components, which require user-adjustable positioning for actuation detection.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door handle design that is fixed and locked against deflection in both rest and operating positions, using electronic components for actuation detection without mechanical adjustments, and incorporates a carrier plate and motor-driven coupling means for stable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is designed to be adjustable between rest and operating positions with multiple degrees of freedom, then the handle can be positioned flexibly for user access and aesthetics, but the mechanical complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the mechanical handle structure and transfers it to the carrier plate system. The carrier plate is selectively positionable between a first position (handle flush with door surface) and a second position (handle extended), while the handle itself remains fixed relative to the carrier plate. This separation eliminates the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms within the handle, reducing its degrees of freedom and mechanical complexity while preserving the overall positioning flexibility through the carrier plate's selective positioning capability.
2Ease of operation
If the handle allows free movement and positioning adjustment, then ease of operation improves, but reliability and stability against deflection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the carrier plate selectively positionable between two fixed positions rather than allowing continuous free movement. The coupling means provide dynamic coupling between the handle and carrier plate, enabling the carrier plate to be positioned in different states (first position for aesthetics, second position for operation) while maintaining stable, deflection-free handling in each position. This dynamic positioning at the carrier plate level preserves operational ease while ensuring handle stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning function from the handling function. The carrier plate handles the positioning and adjustment aspect, while the handle itself is fixed and stable relative to the carrier plate. This segmentation allows the handle to be locked against deflection while the carrier plate provides the necessary positioning flexibility between rest and operating positions.
3Ease of operation
If multiple mechanical components and coupling means are used for retractable functionality, then the handle can extend and retract smoothly, but the number of parts and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handle and carrier plate into a integrated assembly where the handle is fixed to the carrier plate. The coupling means couple this combined handle-carrier plate assembly to the housing, enabling both components to move together between retracted and extended positions. This merging reduces the total number of separate mechanical components compared to traditional designs where the handle and mounting structure are separate, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining smooth retractable functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~5b
Figure 5c~6a
AI summary
A vehicle door handle (3) with a handle (4) for sensor-controlled triggering of a vehicle function, wherein the handle (4) is coupled to a handle housing (20, 20a, 20b) mountable on a vehicle. Coupling means (30a, 30b, 31) and a motor (32) are provided, wherein the handle (4) can be moved between a rest position and an activated position by the motor (32) via the coupling means (30a, 30b, 31). The handle has sensor components (27a) that detect an actuating force or communication means (27b) that detect a mobile communication device approaching the handle. The sensor components (27a) or the communication means (27b) are coupled to an interface via which actuating signals can be output.The handle (4) is coupled to the handle housing (20, 20a, 20b) in both the actuating position and the rest position over its entire extension in a position fixed and without displacement and is locked against deflection with respect to the handle housing (20, 20a, 20b).