Car Door Handle NFC Coil Encapsulation for Thin Protruding Designs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing car door handles with protruding designs face challenges in integrating electric actuation means due to lack of space, often requiring separate touch buttons, which complicates user interaction.

Innovation Solution

A handle with a near field communication unit featuring a microchip and antenna, where the coil and connection part are encapsulated within an overmolded portion, allowing the microchip to be remotely located and protected, enabling thin, versatile designs with easy actuation and communication functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the handle presents a protruding form to enable easy grabbing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to difficulty in integrating electric means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of grabbingVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The near field communication unit is divided into distinct components: the coil is encapsulated within the overmolded portion while the microchip is positioned separately in a recess. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the coil can be fully encapsulated for protection while the microchip remains accessible for connection, resolving the integration challenge in protruding handle designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coil is nested within the overmolded portion which is itself part of the handle body. This nested structure allows the electromagnetic components to be integrated within the protruding handle form without increasing external dimensions, enabling easy grabbing while maintaining compact integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the microchip is located near the coil for compact design, then the volume is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to exposure to humidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle thicknessVSAvoidmicrochip protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The microchip is extracted from the encapsulated zone and positioned separately in a recess area. This extraction allows the coil to be fully encapsulated within the overmolded portion for compact integration while the microchip is positioned in a location that can be protected from humidity through the recess structure and selective coating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The overmolded portion provides localized protection (encapsulation) for the coil while the microchip is positioned in a separate recess area with different protection characteristics. This local differentiation allows each component to have optimized protection - the coil gets full encapsulation while the microchip can be protected through the recess structure and selective environmental barriers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Shape

If a metal covering layer is added for decoration, then the appearance quality is improved, but the near field communication efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecorative appearanceVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The metal covering layer is applied selectively to specific areas of the handle body while leaving the antenna area exposed. This localized application allows the handle to have decorative metal surfaces in non-critical areas while maintaining electromagnetic wave transmission capability in the antenna region, thus achieving both aesthetic appeal and communication efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 protects the microchip from humidity, allows for various handle forms, and facilitates easy actuation while maintaining efficient near field communication, allowing for a streamlined user experience without compromising the handle's thickness or functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna (9) provided with a coil (11) and an elongated connection part (13) configured for cooperating with the microchip (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4407880A1Handle for a car door comprising a near field communication unit
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS ITALIA SPA
  • EP4407880A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4407880A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4407880A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Handle (1) for a car door comprising : a near field communication unit (5) having a microchip and an antenna (9), said antenna (9) being provided with a coil (11) and an elongated connection part (13) configured for cooperating with the microchip, a body (15), an overmolded portion (19) formed on the body (15) and defining an encapsulating zone including entirely the coil (11) and partially the elongated connection part (13), the elongated connection part (13) comprising a terminal portion including a cooperation extremity configured to cooperate with the microchip, said terminal portion being outside the encapsulated zone.