Angle-Detecting Door Handle Assembly With Rotary Link Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing approaches for providing movable handles on vehicle closures, such as doors, either lack flexibility in operation, are expensive, or are difficult to assemble, and may not accurately account for friction and other factors affecting handle movement.
Innovation Solution
An angle-detecting door handle assembly that includes a handle member, a four-bar link, a motor, a rotary sensor, and a controller. The rotary sensor detects the angle of the four-bar link and generates a signal, which the controller uses to control the motor, allowing precise control of the handle's position and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force sensors are used in the handle mechanics, then the system can detect handle position, but the system becomes expensive and relatively difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces force sensors with a rotary encoder that detects rotational position of the four-bar link mechanism. This substitution transforms a complex mechanical sensing problem into a simpler rotational position measurement, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotary encoder as an intermediary device that indirectly measures handle position through detecting the rotational angle of the four-bar link. This intermediary approach avoids direct force sensing while achieving accurate position detection.
2Measurement precision
If switches are used to sense extreme positions, then the system can detect end positions, but the system lacks information on handle position between switch positions and requires broader travel parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary encoder provides continuous angular position information throughout the entire range of motion, rather than discrete switch positions. This continuous measurement enables precise control and detection of handle position at any point in its travel, eliminating the need for broader travel parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary encoder provides continuous feedback on the angular position of the four-bar link, enabling the control system to accurately determine handle position and make precise adjustments. This continuous feedback loop enhances both measurement precision and operational flexibility.
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 angle-detecting door handle assembly provides flexible and precise control over the handle's operation, improving user experience and reducing assembly complexity while accurately accounting for factors like friction.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary sensor configured to detect an angle of the four-bar link throughout actuation and generate a signal corresponding to the detected angle
Data Source
AI summary
An angle-detecting door handle assembly comprises: a handle member; a four-bar link configured to move the handle member between at least retracted and presented positions relative to a door surface; a motor configured to actuate the four-bar link; a rotary sensor configured to detect an angle of the four-bar link throughout actuation and generate a signal corresponding to the detected angle; and a controller configured to control the motor based on the signal from the rotary sensor.