Vehicle Door Handle Assembly With Integrated Press Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door handle systems require separate actions for unlocking and opening vehicle doors, which can be cumbersome, especially when using a single hand, and lack reliable detection of the operator's opening request.
Innovation Solution
An actuating apparatus with a handle part that integrates a transfer mechanism to convert compressive force into a detectable movement by a sensor, using a carriage-like actuating element that moves translationally within the handle part to generate a signal for unlocking and opening the door in a single movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate switches and pull handles are used for unlocking and opening vehicle doors, then the door can be unlocked and opened, but the operator must use separate hand movements which is difficult to achieve with a single hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the unlocking function and door opening function into a single integrated door handle assembly. The actuating device integrates both the switch for unlocking and the pull handle for opening into one unified structure that can be actuated by a single hand movement, eliminating the need for separate switches and handles.
Solution Approach 2:
The door handle assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the unlocking mechanism (via the integrated switch) and the door opening mechanism (via the pull handle). This multi-functional design allows the operator to unlock and open the door using a single hand on the same handle assembly.
2Reliability
If a sensor system is added to detect opening requests, then the opening request can be detected reliably, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is integrated into the existing door handle assembly rather than being added as a separate component. The sensor is incorporated within the handle structure, sharing the same housing and mounting mechanisms, which minimizes the increase in overall device complexity while enabling reliable detection of opening requests.
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
Enables reliable detection of the operator's opening request and simultaneous unlocking and opening of vehicle doors with a single hand movement, while allowing for flexible design and saving space by integrating the transfer mechanism within the handle part.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer mechanism (70) is integrated in the handle part (3), which is configured to convert a compressive force applied to the actuating surface (5) into a movement that is detectable by a sensor apparatus (6)
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an actuating apparatus (1) for a door handle assembly for actuating, e.g., unlocking and opening, a vehicle door. The actuating apparatus (1) includes a handle part (3), which, when the actuating apparatus (1) is used as intended, at least partially or regionally protrudes from the vehicle door or a vehicle body, in particular from the vehicle outer skin. The handle part (3) includes an actuating surface (5) where a transfer mechanism is integrated in the handle part (3) configured to convert a compressive force, in particular one that is manually applied to the actuating surface (5) of the handle part (3), into a movement that is detectable by a sensor apparatus (6). The sensor apparatus (6) is integrated in the handle part (3). The transfer mechanism includes a carriage-shaped or carriage-like actuating element (7) that is received at least partially or regionally in the handle part (3) and is translationally movable relative to the actuating surface (5) when a compressive force is applied to the actuating surface (5) of the handle part (3).