Outside Door Handle Switch Layout for Better Vehicle Side Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle side door designs with outside door handles positioned above the lower end rim of the window frame compromise visibility from within the vehicle cabin due to the need for mechanical coupling with a latch mechanism, limiting designability and increasing the handle's size.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle side part structure featuring an outside door handle with a release switch integrated into the press surface, allowing for electrical latching release, and an emergency switch positioned to prevent accidental operation, while maintaining a compact design and minimizing window glass area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the outside door handle is arranged above the lower end rim of the window frame with mechanical coupling to latch mechanism, then the side door design achieves simplicity with little surface unevenness, but the handle size increases and visibility from within the vehicle cabin deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical coupling between the door handle lever and latch mechanism with an electrical control system. A release switch mounted on the door handle transmits an electrical signal to an actuator that operates the latch mechanism, eliminating the need for direct mechanical connection. This substitution allows the door handle to be downsized and repositioned without being constrained by mechanical linkage requirements, thereby improving visibility while maintaining design simplicity.
2Area of stationary object
If the outside door handle is downsized to improve visibility, then the window glass area can be increased, but the mechanical coupling structure cannot be adequately arranged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex mechanical coupling structure by substituting it with an electrical control system consisting of a release switch and an actuator. This allows for compact arrangement of components and enables downsizing of the door handle assembly, thereby maximizing the window glass area while avoiding the complexity of arranging mechanical linkages in a compact space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional mechanical linkage problem to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning the release switch on the surface of the door handle and the actuator in a separate location, connected via electrical signals. This dimensional transition allows for flexible component placement that optimizes both handle size and window area.
3Ease of operation
If the release switch is exposed on the outside of the vehicle, then the operation is convenient, but the risk of accidental manipulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different locations: the release switch is positioned on the outer surface of the door handle for easy access and operation, while the actual latching mechanism actuator is positioned in a protected location. This spatial separation with differentiated qualities allows convenient operation while reducing accidental manipulation risk, as the critical actuator component is not directly exposed.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle side part structure includes: a side door having a window frame; an outside door handle which is arranged above a lower end rim of the window frame and which is manipulated when the side door is being opened and closed from outside the vehicle; a release switch provided on a press surface of the outside door handle, which is a surface pressed by a user with a finger during an operation of opening the side door, the release switch outputting a release signal upon being manipulated; and a latch actuator which releases latching of the side door by a latch mechanism when the release signal is output.