Vehicle Door Handle Assembly with Redundant Electric Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door leaf handle assemblies in vehicles may unintentionally unlock during accidents due to inertia, and capacitive sensors can fail to detect user presence, especially with gloved hands, leading to unreliable door opening.
Innovation Solution
A door leaf handle assembly with a touch zone on the handle generating a control signal for an electric unlocking system, and a secondary control device on the base that activates if the primary signal fails, ensuring reliable door opening through a wired connection and redundant control mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capacitive sensor is used to detect user presence for unlocking, then accidental unlocking during accidents is avoided, but the sensor may fail to detect gloved fingers leading to unreliable door opening
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control devices: a first control device (capacitive sensor) integrated in the handle and a second control device (mechanical switch) positioned on the base. This segmentation allows the system to use different detection mechanisms for different operating conditions, ensuring that if one device fails to detect the user properly, another can take over.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from purely capacitive (sensitive to skin contact) to mechanical displacement (sensitive to handle movement). The second control device detects the displacement of the handle from the opening position to an over-opening position, which works reliably even when capacitive sensors fail to detect gloved fingers.
2Device complexity
If a mechanical unlocking system connected by cable is used, then simple structure is achieved, but the system may unlock itself during accidents due to inertia displacement of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical cable-connected unlocking system with an electric unlocking system. The handle assembly includes control devices that generate electrical control signals to actuate an electric unlocking system, eliminating the mechanical cable connection that could transmit inertial forces during accidents.
Solution Approach 2:
An electric signal acts as an intermediary between the user's handle operation and the unlocking mechanism. Instead of direct mechanical connection through cables, the control devices convert handle displacement into electrical signals that trigger the electric unlocking system, providing isolation against inertial effects.
3Extent of automation
If an electric actuating device with motor and gears is used to move the handle, then automated handle deployment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric actuating device housed in the base serves multiple functions: it actsuates the handle to the opening position, and its position sensor simultaneously serves as the second control device for detecting handle displacement to the over-opening position. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the added automation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A door handle assembly and unlocking method include a handle connected to a base by a hinge for rotation between an idle position, substantially parallel to the base, and a door-opening position, inclined relative to the base. An actuator is within the base and moves the handle to at least the opening position. A first control device in the handle and connected to an electric unlocking system. The handle includes a tactile area on an inner surface for receiving pressure applied by the user's hand for activating the first control device and generating a first control signal. A second control device is on the base and is actuated by movement of the handle from the opening position to an over-opening position to generate a second control signal. The electric unlocking system receives the first or second control signal in order to unlock and allow opening of the door.