Vehicle Door Short Drop Mechanism Switch Activation Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional short drop systems for vehicle doors activate the short drop function only after the door is opened, leading to interference between the window glass and weather strip, degrading manipulation performance due to abrasion and repulsive forces, and compromising soundproofing and waterproofing.

Innovation Solution

A short drop mechanism where the switch is activated before the door is opened by integrating a door handle, door lever, switch lever, and elastic members, allowing the window glass to move down during the unavailable stroke period, separating the door opening period and short drop activating timing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the short drop function is activated after the door is opened (conventional system), then the window glass can be lowered to prevent interference with the weather strip, but the manipulation performance is degraded due to abrasion and repulsive forces occurring during the opening process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoundproofing and waterproofingVSAvoidmanipulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The switch is positioned and configured to be activated before the door is opened, during the unavailable stroke period. The switch lever is arranged to contact the door lever at a position that allows switch activation prior to door opening, enabling the window glass to be lowered before the door actually opens, thus preventing interference with the weather strip while maintaining smooth manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the window glass is lowered after the door opens, then the weather strip can surround the window glass for soundproofing and waterproofing, but the window glass interferes with the weather strip during opening causing abrasion and repulsive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoundproofing and waterproofingVSAvoidabrasion and repulsive force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The switch lever is positioned to activate the switch before the door opens, during the unavailable stroke period. This preliminary activation causes the window glass to be lowered before door opening occurs, ensuring the weather strip can surround the window glass when the door is closed without experiencing interference, abrasion, or repulsive forces during the opening process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by lowering the window glass before the door opens, preventing the harmful interference between the window glass and weather strip from occurring in the first place. The switch lever configuration ensures the window is positioned to avoid contact with the weather strip during the critical opening phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Extent of automation

If the switch is mounted on the vehicle body to detect door opening, then the short drop function can be implemented, but the activation occurs too late (after door opens) degrading manipulation quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort drop function activationVSAvoidactivation timing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The switch is repositioned and reconfigured to be activated before the door opens, utilizing the unavailable stroke period. The switch lever contacts the door lever at a position that triggers the switch during the initial phase of handle manipulation, before the door actually opens, eliminating the time delay and enabling timely window glass lowering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The switch lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the door handle manipulation into early switch activation. By positioning the switch lever to contact the door lever at a specific point during the unavailable stroke period, the system achieves earlier activation of the short drop function without direct mounting on the vehicle body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances manipulation feeling and quality by preventing interference between the window glass and weather strip, improving soundproofing and waterproofing, and ensuring smooth door operation by activating the short drop function before the door is opened.

Implementation Method 1

a door lever (200) which has a guide (220) to be engaged with the engaging part (120) of the door handle (100) so as to operate in response to a rotation of the door handle (100)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9410347B2Short drop mechanism for vehicle door

Publication Date: 2016.08.09 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A short drop apparatus for a vehicle door may include a door handle rotatably mounted to a door panel at a front side thereof and having an inner engaging part at a rear side thereof, a door lever including a guide to be engaged with the engaging part of the door handle to operate in response to a rotation of the door handle, a switch positioned in front of the door lever to selectively transmit a signal to open or close a window glass with a turning ON or OFF state of the switch, and a switch lever engaged to the switch and coming into contact with a front side of the door lever at front and rear sides of the switch lever, respectively, the switch lever operating simultaneously with the door lever when the door handle may be manipulated, to turn on the switch.