Vehicle Door Handle Fastening via Segmented Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for fastening a door handle device to a vehicle door require tight manufacturing tolerances, leading to increased design and production costs due to the dependency of the door lock cylinder's positioning on the bearing bracket, which complicates the arrangement and affects the door's sealing and aesthetic design.

Innovation Solution

The door lock cylinder is attached independently to the door end wall, breaking the tolerance chain with the bearing bracket, allowing for easier and cost-effective positioning and reduced manufacturing demands, with options for screwing, welding, gluing, or riveting for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the door lock cylinder is mounted on the bearing bracket, then the door handle device can be assembled, but high manufacturing tolerances are required and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the mounting system into two independent parts: the bearing bracket attached to the door outer wall, and the door lock cylinder attached separately to the door end wall. This segmentation breaks the tolerance chain, allowing each component to be manufactured and positioned independently without compounding tolerances, thereby reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (a connecting piece or adapter) that mediates between the bearing bracket and the door lock cylinder. This intermediary allows the door lock cylinder to be mounted on the door end wall while still maintaining functional connection to the bearing bracket, enabling independent positioning and reducing tolerance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the bearing bracket is substantially hidden on the inside of the outer door wall, then aesthetics are improved, but demands on design and manufacturing tolerances increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic designVSAvoiddesign tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the mounting locations of the bearing bracket (on door outer wall) and door lock cylinder (on door end wall), the patent allows the bearing bracket to be hidden inside the door cavity for aesthetic purposes while the door lock cylinder is positioned on the end wall where it can be accessed for key insertion. This segmentation enables aesthetic design without compromising functionality or increasing tolerance demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the third dimension by mounting the door lock cylinder on the door end wall (rear surface) rather than on the front-facing door outer wall. This dimensional relocation allows the bearing bracket to remain hidden on the inside of the door for aesthetics, while the door lock cylinder is accessible from the rear, eliminating the need for tight tolerances to accommodate both aesthetic and functional requirements on the same surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If multiple components are assembled with tight tolerances, then positioning accuracy is achieved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the assembly into independent mounting locations: the bearing bracket is attached to the door outer wall, and the door lock cylinder is attached separately to the door end wall. This segmentation breaks the tolerance chain, allowing each component to be manufactured and positioned independently with relaxed tolerances, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining functional positioning accuracy through the intermediary connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2946052B1Fastening of a door handle device to a vehicle door, vehicle door, vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.06.21 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2946052B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2946052B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2946052B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening of a door handle device (6) to a vehicle door (1), in particular of a motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle door (1) has a door outer wall (2) and a door end wall (4), and wherein the door handle device (6) has a bearing bracket (9) which supports a door handle (7) and which is fastened to the door outer wall (2), and a door‑closing cylinder (8). Provision is made here for the door‑closing cylinder (8) to be fastened only to the door end wall (4).