Electric Door Handle with Load-Free Grip Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric door handles for vehicles require significant design work to establish a mechanical correlation between unlocking and movement, limiting adjustability and flexibility, and are inflexible in force characteristics.

Innovation Solution

An electric door handle with a movable hand grip controlled by an electric drive and sensor, allowing load-free positioning in functional positions, eliminating the need for mechanical components and enabling customizable force characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical opening kinematics are used to transfer activation force to the opening mechanism, then the door can be unlocked mechanically, but significant design work is required and adjustability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of force characteristicsVSAvoidmechanical correlation design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical opening kinematics with an electric drive system. The electric drive unit (220) directly moves the hand grip (202) between retracted and extended positions, eliminating the need for mechanical correlation between unlocking and door opening. This substitution allows independent control of unlocking force characteristics and door opening force characteristics, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical components are used to define end positions, then the structure is stable, but the positioning is not load-free and limits adjustability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidload-free positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the electric drive unit (220) to define and control end positions (retracted and extended) without relying on mechanical components. The control unit (216) commands the electric drive to stop at predetermined positions, enabling load-free positioning. This allows the system to adapt positions flexibly while maintaining stability, resolving the contradiction between positioning flexibility and load-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a single electric drive controls both unlocking and door opening, then device complexity is reduced, but the force characteristics cannot be independently adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of electric drivesVSAvoidindependent force characteristic adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control where a single electric drive unit (220) can operate in different modes with different force characteristics. The control unit (216) adjusts the force profile dynamically based on the operation type (unlocking vs. door opening). This dynamic adaptability allows independent adjustment of force characteristics while using only one electric drive, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Provides adjustable and customizable positioning and force characteristics, enhancing versatility, reducing complexity and cost, and integrating seamlessly into various vehicles without mechanical correlations.

Implementation Method 1

an electric drive (220) for a movement of the hand grip (202) between the two end positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

The position of the hand grip between the two end positions can be determined by means of at least one sensor means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12392175B2Electric door handle for a vehicle door

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 HS PRODS ENG

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electric door handle (10) for a vehicle door, comprising a main body (20) for arrangement in the vehicle door, wherein a hand grip (30) is mounted on the main body (20) so as to be movable within a range of movement (BB) between a mechanically defined first end position (EP1) and a mechanically defined second end position (EP2) by means of a handle bearing (32), further comprising an electric drive (40) for a movement of the hand grip (30) between the two end positions (EP1, EP2) and at least one sensor means (50) for determining the position of the hand grip (30) between the two end positions (EP1, EP2), wherein the electric drive (40) comprises a transmission device (42) for load-free positioning of the hand grip (30) in a gripping position (GP) of the hand grip (30) at a distance from the end positions (EP1, EP2) and for load-free positioning of the hand grip (30) in a travel position (FP) at a distance from the end positions (EP1, EP2) and from the gripping position (GP).