Vehicle Door Handle Speed Check for Crash Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door handle systems in vehicles fail to prevent the release of moveable components during critical situations such as vehicle accidents or crash scenarios, leading to potential safety hazards for occupants.

Innovation Solution

A door handle arrangement equipped with a handle body that moves between a rest and actuation position, featuring a first and second sensor device triggered at specific positions along the stroke path. The control device assesses the operating speed of the handle body by calculating the time difference between sensor triggers and compares it to a threshold, determining whether to release or lock the moveable component based on permissible speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the latch is actuated by the known door handle system, then the moveable component can be opened for normal access, but the system fails to prevent release during critical situations such as accidents or crashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of latch operationVSAvoidcomplexity of door handle system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary evaluation of the actuation signal characteristics (duration, amplitude, pattern) before triggering the latch release. This preliminary check distinguishes between intentional opening actions and accidental crash-induced movements, preventing premature or unsafe latch release during critical situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the actuation signal characteristics and the state of the door handle system in real-time. This feedback loop allows the control device to adapt its response based on the detected signal pattern, enabling it to differentiate between normal opening requests and abnormal crash conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the door handle system uses simple mechanical actuation, then the operation is straightforward, but it cannot detect or respond to critical situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handle actuationVSAvoidsafety in critical situations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pure mechanical actuation with an electromechanical system that uses sensors to detect handle position and actuation characteristics, and a control device to evaluate signals and trigger the latch. This substitution maintains ease of physical operation while adding intelligent detection and decision-making capabilities to distinguish between normal use and crash conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors changes in actuation parameters such as the speed, duration, and force of handle movement. By analyzing these parameter changes, the control device can identify abnormal patterns characteristic of crash situations versus normal opening actions, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving safety response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12203295B2Door handle arrangement and method for checking the permissibility of the operating speed of a handle body of the door handle arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG

AI summary

A door handle arrangement for a moveable component of a vehicle includes a control device for checking the permissibility of the operating speed of a handle body of the door handle arrangement to determine whether a permissible operating situation of the vehicle or a critical situation of the vehicle exists.