Capacitance Sensor Sealing in Vehicle Door Handles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door handle apparatuses face issues with water ingress due to gaps between the sensor unit and the handle main body, leading to decreased detection accuracy of capacitance sensors.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle door handle apparatus with a capacitance sensor housed in a hollow space within the handle main body, where the sensor is covered with a synthetic resin outer shell and fixed using a potting agent to prevent water entry, enhancing assembly ease and detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the capacitance sensor is fixed to the accommodation recess by screwing an arm part to the handle main body, then the sensor unit can be securely mounted, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mounting of sensor unitVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical screw fixation system with a chemical bonding system using adhesive. The adhesive is applied to the bottom surface of the accommodation recess to fix the capacitance sensor, eliminating the need for screw holes and mechanical fastening components. This substitution simplifies the assembly process while maintaining secure mounting of the sensor unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the capacitance sensor is fixed by screwing an arm part to the handle main body, then the sensor unit can be securely mounted, but the assembly time increases due to the required fixation process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mounting of sensor unitVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical screw fixation process with a faster adhesive bonding process. The adhesive is applied directly to the bottom surface of the accommodation recess, allowing for quicker application and curing compared to the multiple steps required for screw assembly, thereby reducing overall assembly time while maintaining secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If the capacitance sensor is fixed by screwing an arm part to the handle main body, then the sensor unit can be mounted, but gaps are formed between the accommodation recess and sensor unit allowing water to enter and reside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor unit mountingVSAvoidwater ingress into gaps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical screw fixation with adhesive bonding, which creates a continuous seal between the capacitance sensor and the accommodation recess. The adhesive fills and seals all gaps and interfaces, preventing water from entering and residing in spaces between components, thereby eliminating the water ingress problem associated with mechanical fastening methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive acts as an intermediary substance between the accommodation recess and the capacitance sensor. It not only provides bonding strength but also serves as a sealing medium that fills gaps and prevents water penetration, thus addressing both mounting and sealing requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If the capacitance sensor is fixed by screwing an arm part to the handle main body, then the sensor unit can be mounted, but the detection accuracy decreases due to water entering gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor unit mountingVSAvoiddetection accuracy of capacitance sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical screw fixation with adhesive bonding, which creates a hermetic seal that prevents water from entering the spaces between the capacitance sensor and accommodation recess. By eliminating water ingress, the adhesive bonding method preserves the detection accuracy of the capacitance sensor, whereas mechanical fastening allows water to accumulate and interfere with sensor performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively seals the sensor unit from moisture, improving detection accuracy and assembly efficiency by eliminating the need for screws and minimizing gaps, thus ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

fixed by a potting agent 7 which prevents a water from entering a bottom wall 6B of the accommodation recess 6

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2562329B1Door handle device for vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.09.19 ALPHA

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

A vehicle door handle apparatus is provided with a handle main body (3) formed by coupling a first cover (1) and a second cover (2) and a capacitance sensor (4) accommodated in a hollow space in the handle main body (3). One of the first cover (1) and the second cover (2) is formed with an accommodation recess (6) defined by partition walls (5). The capacitance sensor (4) is accommodated in the accommodation recess (6) and fixed by a potting agent (7).