Motor Vehicle Door Handle Spring Actuation Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door opening mechanisms in motor vehicles are complex and costly, with functional reliability issues, particularly in emergency opening scenarios where mechanical resistance is needed without excessive force, and provide inadequate tactile feedback to operators.
Innovation Solution
A simplified door opening mechanism where a spring acts on a transmission lever only after the first actuation path is completed, providing distinct tactile feedback through different actuation paths and ensuring mechanical loading only during the third actuation path, allowing easy differentiation between electrical and emergency openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a complex transmission mechanism with bistable components is used to provide tactile feedback during handle actuation, then the operator receives feedback information, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tactile feedback function from the complex transmission mechanism and implements it through a simplified sensor system that detects handle movement and provides feedback through the control unit, eliminating the need for bistable components while maintaining the feedback information delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tactile feedback system (bistable components, complex linkages) with an electronic sensing and control system that uses sensors, control units, and motor drives to achieve the same feedback objective through non-mechanical means
2Reliability
If the spring acts on the transmission lever throughout the entire actuation path, then continuous mechanical resistance is provided, but the operator cannot distinguish between electrical and emergency opening operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuation path into distinct phases (first actuation path for electrical opening, second actuation path for emergency opening) with the spring acting only during the second phase, creating tactilely distinguishable operational modes through controlled mechanical resistance application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the mechanical resistance characteristics during the actuation process by delaying spring engagement until the second actuation path, allowing the system to transition from a low-resistance state (electrical opening) to a high-resistance state (emergency opening) based on the operator's input
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complex components are used to model different actuation scenarios, then various operating conditions can be handled, but the manufacturing costs and implementation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal handle actuation mechanism that can handle both electrical and emergency opening scenarios through a single integrated system, where the spring-loaded transmission lever and sensor combination provides multiple functional responses based on the actuation force applied, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for different scenarios
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 mechanism reduces construction and manufacturing efforts while enhancing functional reliability by providing clear tactile feedback and ensuring mechanical loading only during emergency openings, thus simplifying the design and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (5) that acts on the transmission lever (3)... the second region of the spring (5) ensures that the transmission lever (3) is subjected to a counterforce (G) opposing the actuation force (F)
Implementation Method 2
the third region of the spring (5)... ensures that the transmission lever (3) is subjected to a restoring force (R) during its corresponding third actuation path (B3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for opening a door (1) or flap in or on a motor vehicle. The device is provided with, for example, a handle (2), in addition to at least one transmission lever (3) connected to the handle (2) and a spring (5) acting on the transmission lever (3). According to the invention, the spring (5) has at least one first region (5a1) spaced apart from the first actuation stroke (B1) of the transmission lever (3), such that the spring (5) only acts on the transmission lever (3) after the first actuation stroke (B1) has been completed.