Vehicular Door Handle Rotating Backup Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular door handle devices with electric actuators are susceptible to malfunction when power supply is insufficient, preventing the release mechanism from functioning properly, necessitating a backup mechanism for opening the door.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular door handle device with a main body portion, a sensor for detecting capacitance changes, and a fixing mechanism that allows the main body to be rotated to drive the opening mechanism, enabling the door to be opened even in cases of power failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electric actuator is used to drive the release mechanism, then the door can be opened easily under normal power conditions, but the system becomes unreliable when power supply is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The handle portion is designed to be rotatable relative to the door panel, allowing it to switch between a fixed state (for normal operation) and a rotatable state (for backup operation). This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt its operation mode based on power availability, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability under power failure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing mechanism's fixing state is changed to a released state, transforming the handle portion from a fixed configuration to a rotatable one. This parameter change enables the mechanical backup operation when the electric actuator fails, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation under normal conditions.
2Reliability
If the handle portion is rotatably supported to provide backup opening capability, then reliability under power failure improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The handle portion serves dual functions: it acts as a simple pull handle under normal powered conditions and as a rotatable crank mechanism for mechanical backup operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated backup components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening operation function is merged into the handle portion itself, which can operate in both pulled and rotated modes. By combining the normal opening function and backup opening function into a single component, the patent avoids adding separate complex backup mechanisms, thus limiting structural complexity increase.
3Reliability
If a link mechanism is added to couple the handle portion and release mechanism, then backup operation capability is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is segmented into discrete components (linkage member, first link, second link, third link) that can be independently configured and assembled. This segmentation allows for a modular backup mechanism that adds reliability through mechanical coupling while keeping each individual component simple and manageable, thus limiting overall complexity.
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
Facilitates easy operation of opening the door under normal conditions using the electric actuator and provides a reliable backup mechanism for power failure scenarios, ensuring the door can still be opened by rotating the handle portion.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor housed in the hollow portion detects a change in capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular door handle device includes: a main body portion being disposed on an outside surface of a door panel of a vehicle, extending in a predetermined direction, and including a hollow portion in an intermediate portion in the extending direction; a touch sensor being housed in the hollow portion for detecting a change in capacitance, and being connected to a control device that controls an opening mechanism for setting a closed vehicular door in an openable state; a frame portion including a shaft portion that extends in the predetermined direction and rotatably supports the main body portion; and a fixing mechanism for fixing the main body portion to the frame portion. Fixing of the main body portion to the frame portion by the fixing mechanism is temporarily released, and the opening mechanism is configured to be driven by rotating the main body portion.