Vehicle Door Handle Noise Reduction via Segmented Buffering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door handle devices suffer from loss of elasticity in the holder member over time, leading to a diminished buffering effect and subsequent noise issues due to repeated impact loads and static loads at the stroke end position.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle door handle device featuring a connection-retaining member made from synthetic resin, softer than the operating member, which abuts against a stopper wall surface to define the stroke end position, combined with a second stopper on the operating member to restrict deformation and prevent over-stroke deflection, thereby maintaining noise reduction over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the holder member is formed from a soft material to provide buffering effect, then impact noise is prevented, but the elasticity ability is lost over time due to repeated impact loads and static loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact noiseVSAvoidelasticity ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering function is segmented from the holder member to a dedicated buffering member. The holder member is formed from a hard material (acetal resin) that maintains structural integrity and elasticity, while the separate buffering member (foam material) provides the buffering effect. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between noise prevention and long-term elasticity maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffering member acts as an intermediary element between the holder member and the stopper part. It absorbs impact energy during operation and prevents direct contact between the holder member and stopper part, thereby preventing impact noise while preserving the holder member's elasticity for long-term use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the holder member is made hard to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but buffering effect is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidimpact noise

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder member and buffering function are segmented into separate components. The holder member is made from hard material (acetal resin) to maintain structural integrity, while the buffering function is provided by a separate buffering member made from soft foam material. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the holder member to be strong while the buffering member provides noise prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses composite materials strategically: the holder member uses hard acetal resin for strength and dimensional stability, while the buffering member uses soft foam material for impact absorption. This combination of different material properties in separate components allows both structural integrity and buffering effect to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively prevents impact noise and maintains the buffering effect over a long period by limiting the deformation of the connection-retaining member, ensuring consistent performance without loss of elasticity.

Implementation Method 1

a connection-retaining member 6 which is formed from a synthetic resin material softer than the operating member 2, is attached to the operating member 2, and in its attached state, retains a connection of one end of the operating force transmitting part 3 to the operating member 2 and abuts against a stopper wall surface 5 of the handle base 1 so as to define an operating stroke end position of the operating member 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second stopper 7 which is provided on the operating member 2 and abuts against the handle base 1 in an over-stroke position beyond the operating stroke end position defined by the connection-retaining member 6 so as to restrict a deformation of the connection-retaining member 6 by an over-stroke

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Data Source

PatentUS9181734B2Vehicle door handle device

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 ALPHA

AI summary

In a vehicle door handle device, an operating member is pivotally supported to a handle base. A door lock device is operated via an operating force transmitting part by a rotation of the operating member from an initial position to an operating position. A connection-retaining member attached to the operating member retains a connection of one end of the operating force transmitting part to the operating member and abuts against a stopper wall surface of the handle base so as to define an operating stroke end position of the operating member. A second stopper is provided on the operating member and abuts against the handle base in an over-stroke position beyond the operating stroke end position.