Automotive Door Handle Fixed-Fixed Support Beam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inside door handle devices face challenges in ensuring sufficient rigidity of the support beam while maintaining low manufacturing costs, as the cantilever shape of the support beam compromises rigidity and requires complex die structures.

Innovation Solution

The support beam is formed into a fixed-fixed beam shape with a substantial L-shape configuration, allowing for manufacturing using a single die set and ensuring high rigidity at handle and lock knob support portions without increasing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the support beam is extended to cross over the opening portion with a fixed-fixed beam shape, then the rigidity of the support beam is improved, but the die structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of support beamVSAvoiddie structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support beam is segmented into two distinct parts: a first support beam portion extending from the handle body toward the opening portion, and a second support beam portion extending from the lock knob toward the opening portion. These two portions are positioned on opposite sides of the opening portion and do not overlap, allowing the die to be composed of simple front-side and backside dies without requiring complex slide mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support beam structure transitions from a single extended beam crossing the opening to a two-dimensional arrangement where the first and second support beam portions are positioned on opposite sides of the opening portion. This spatial arrangement eliminates the need for overlapping structures and complex die mechanisms while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the support beam is formed with a cantilever shape, then the die structure remains simple and manufacturing cost is suppressed, but the rigidity of the support beam is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidrigidity of support beam
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support beam is divided into a first support beam portion connected to the handle body and a second support beam portion connected to the lock knob. Both portions extend toward the opening portion and are positioned on opposite sides, creating a fixed-fixed beam configuration that significantly enhances rigidity while maintaining simple die structure and low manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second support beam portions are pre-positioned on opposite sides of the opening portion in the molded state, establishing a rigid fixed-fixed beam structure before assembly. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures high rigidity without requiring additional complex manufacturing processes or components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2378038B1Inside door handle device
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 ALPHA
  • EP2378038B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2378038B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2378038B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An inside door handle device includes: a handle base (10) fixed to an inner panel that composes a door interior of an automobile; an opening portion (11) formed of a through hole formed on one side of the handle base (10); an operation recessed portion (12) that has a recessed shape and is arranged adjacent to the opening portion (11) on the other side of the handle base (10); fixation portions (17) formed in the operation recessed portion (12) and fixed to the inner panel; a handle body (20) in which a grip portion (22) located on a tip end side is urged and held onto the operation recessed portion (12) while a base end side is being swingably supported on the opening portion (11) with handle support portions (14a) interposed therebetween; and a support beam (13) protruded on the opening portion (11) and formed into a fixed-fixed beam shape bent into an L-shape.