Vehicle Door Handle Spring Module for Side-Impact Latch Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle door structures move inboard during side impacts, affecting the operation of door latch and handle assemblies, leading to unintended actuation.
Innovation Solution
A spring module is connected to the door interior handle via cables, providing a secondary biasing force to counteract unintended movement, enhancing the primary biasing force during side impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single primary spring is used to bias the door interior handle, then the structure is simple, but the biasing force is insufficient to prevent unintended unlatching during side impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is segmented into two independent components: a primary spring located within the door interior handle assembly and a separate spring module connected via cables. This segmentation allows each spring to contribute independently to the biasing force, enhancing reliability without requiring a single overly complex spring mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
Cables serve as intermediaries to transmit the biasing force from the spring module to the door interior handle. This intermediary mechanism allows the secondary spring to exert force remotely, enabling enhanced security without direct mechanical connection and minimizing added complexity
2Reliability
If the door latch assembly is made more secure against side impacts, then the door remains closed during impacts, but the complexity of the latch and handle assemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring module acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that provides an opposing force to inboard movements during side impacts. By positioning the spring module and cables to resist the direction of impact-induced movement, the system enhances security without requiring complex reinforcement of the entire latch assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary spring pre-tensions the cables to provide continuous counteracting force before side impact occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when inboard movement is attempted during impact, the pre-loaded cables immediately resist the movement, preventing unintended unlatching without requiring complex impact detection or activation mechanisms
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 secondary biasing force from the spring module prevents unintended unlatching of the door handle and latch assembly, ensuring the door remains secured during side impacts.
Implementation Method 1
A spring module is operably connected to the door interior handle by the one or more cables such that the spring module provides a secondary biasing force that biases the door interior handle toward the latched position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle door assembly that includes a vehicle door assembly including a door interior handle assembly including a primary spring that biases a door interior handle toward a latched position and a door latch assembly. One or more cables where at least one cable of the one or more cables operably connects the door interior handle to the door latch assembly. A spring module is operably connected to the door interior handle by the one or more cables such that the spring module provides a secondary biasing force that biases the door interior handle toward the latched position.