Vehicle Door Handle Assembly Single Motor Actuator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door handle assemblies for vehicles require two separate drive motors, making them costly and prone to failure due to complex production and increased susceptibility to mechanical issues, while also compromising aerodynamics and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A door handle assembly with a single motor-driven actuator that moves the handle from a non-use position to an actuation position and simultaneously unlocks the vehicle door, utilizing a disk-shaped actuator with a non-uniform edge to interact with a lever system, reducing the need for multiple motors and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate drive motors are used for handle movement and door unlocking, then the door handle assembly can perform both functions, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate drive motors into a single motor-driven actuator that performs both handle extension and door unlocking functions. The actuator integrates the drive mechanism, lever element, and motion coupling components into one unified system, eliminating the need for separate motors while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor-driven actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: it extends the handle from the retracted position to the actuation position and simultaneously unlocks the vehicle door through the lever element. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components while achieving the same operational capabilities as the two-motor system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate drive motors are used, then both handle extension and door unlocking can be achieved, but the susceptibility to failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the two separate drive motors into a single integrated actuator, the patent reduces the number of potential failure points. The unified design eliminates the need for multiple motors, gearboxes, and control systems, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining both handle extension and door unlocking capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the handle protrudes from the vehicle door in non-use position, then the handle can be easily actuated, but the aerodynamics and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic handle system that can change its position between retracted and actuated states. The motor-driven actuator moves the handle from a retracted position (flush with the door surface) to an actuated position (protruding for operation), allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements while minimizing aerodynamic resistance during normal vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by extending the handle before the door opening process begins. The motor-driven actuator proactively positions the handle in the actuated state, ensuring it is ready for immediate use while maintaining an aerodynamic profile during vehicle operation. This eliminates the need for manual handle extension and ensures consistent positioning.
4Device complexity
If a single motor-driven actuator is used for both handle extension and door unlocking, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanism must perform multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The single motor-driven actuator is designed as a universal mechanism capable of performing both handle extension and door unlocking functions. Through the lever element and motion coupling, the actuator translates a single rotational input into two distinct mechanical outputs, achieving multi-functionality while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism is segmented into functional components: the drive mechanism for handle extension, the lever element for motion transformation, and the coupling mechanism for door unlocking. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific function while working together as an integrated system, reducing complexity without sacrificing versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A door handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a handle which is to be actuated by an operator, a lever element which supports the handle on a handle housing, and a motor-driven actuating element. The handle is designed to be movable out of an actuation position into a servo-opening position by being actuated by an operator. A detection means is formed on the handle housing in order to detect a movement of the handle out of the actuation position into the servo-opening position so as to produce a movement of the motor-driven actuating element out of the handle extended position into a door opening position. Upon being moved out of the handle extended position into the door opening position, the motor-driven actuating element moves a vehicle door opening lever out of a ready position into an unlocked position, in which the vehicle door can be opened.