Vehicle Door Handle Metallic Reinforcing Plate

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle door handle designs face challenges in withstanding high activation forces without deformation, especially when a small footprint is required, as the plastic bracket used for reinforcement may not provide sufficient protection to the printed circuit board (PCB) switch module.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle door handle assembly featuring a metallic reinforcing plate with a thickness less than 2mm, fixed to the bracket and covering the switch module, which includes a central leg cooperating with a notch and reinforcement longitudinal bulges to distribute forces effectively, allowing the switch module to withstand up to 400N of activation force without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a plastic bracket reinforcement is used to protect the switch module, then the switch module can withstand activation forces, but the bracket requires a large space between the switch and door panel which complicates the design and reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch module protectionVSAvoidswitch accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to metal for the reinforcing plate, enabling it to provide sufficient structural strength while maintaining a thinner profile that allows closer positioning of the switch module to the door panel, thus improving user accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the switch module is positioned closer to the door panel to improve user accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but the available space for bracket reinforcement is reduced compromising switch module protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch accessibilityVSAvoidswitch module protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to metal for the reinforcing plate, enabling it to provide sufficient structural strength while maintaining a thinner profile that allows closer positioning of the switch module to the door panel, thus improving user accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a thick plastic bracket is used to protect the switch module, then switch module protection is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch module protectionVSAvoidbracket structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to metal for the reinforcing plate, enabling it to provide sufficient structural strength while maintaining a thinner profile that allows closer positioning of the switch module to the door panel, thus improving user accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4108870B1Vehicle door handle assembly

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS FRANCE

Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

Vehicle door handle (1) assembly comprising: - a bowl (5) configured to be mounted in an opening (9) of a door panel (3), - a bracket (7) configured to fasten the bowl (5) to the door panel (3), - a switch module (15) mounted on the bracket (7) in an opening of the bowl (5) so that the switch module (15) can be activated by a finger of a user introduced within a recess of the bowl (5) to open the vehicle door, wherein the vehicle door handle (1) assembly further comprises: - a metallic reinforcing plate (17) fixed to the bracket (7) and covering at least in part the switch module (15) in order to prevent the deformation of the switch module (15).