Vehicle Door Assembly With Fixed Handle and Presenter Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle doors often require moveable exterior door handles, which can be bulky, affect aerodynamics, and may malfunction in adverse weather conditions, while also being prone to unintentional activation.
Innovation Solution
A door assembly for motor vehicles that lacks moveable exterior door handles, featuring a fixed door handle and a switch assembly with both mechanical and capacitive switches, where the door can be partially opened by a door presenter assembly in response to a mechanical switch signal, and manually fully opened, with a latch assembly that unlocks in response to a signal, and includes a reserve battery for independent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If moveable exterior door handles are used, then door opening function is provided, but aerodynamics deteriorates and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional moveable exterior door handle from the door assembly. Instead, a fixed door handle is provided and a door presenter assembly is used to initiate door opening by moving the door to a partially open position, thereby eliminating the bulky moveable handle that adversely affects aerodynamics while preserving door opening functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical moveable door handle system with an electromechanical system comprising a fixed door handle, a door presenter assembly (likely powered by a motor or actuator), and a switch assembly (including mechanical and capacitive switches). This substitution eliminates the need for a bulky moveable handle while providing controlled door opening assistance
2Ease of operation
If moveable exterior door handles are used, then door opening function is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the moveable mechanism from the exterior door handle, replacing it with a fixed handle. The complexity of the moveable mechanism is relocated to an internal door presenter assembly that is not visible from the exterior, simplifying the external door structure while maintaining opening functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a door presenter assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed door handle and the fully open door position. This intermediary device assists door opening by moving the door to a partially open position, reducing the effort required while keeping the exterior handle simple and fixed
3Ease of operation
If mechanical switch is used for door opening, then door can be opened, but unintentional activation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires a specific sequence of actions for door opening: first the capacitive switch must be activated (which may initiate a unlocking sequence or prepare the door presenter assembly), and then the mechanical switch must be pressed to actually open the door. This preliminary action sequence prevents unintentional activation by ensuring deliberate user intent
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic response logic where the door presenter assembly and latch assembly are configured to ignore simultaneous signals from both switches unless continuously received for a period of time. This dynamic filtering mechanism adapts to sustained user input while ignoring transient or accidental switch activations
4Ease of operation
If capacitive switch is used for door locking, then locking function is provided, but false activation in adverse weather may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires continuous activation of the capacitive switch for a predetermined period of time before the door locking function is executed. This preliminary sustained action requirement ensures that transient signals caused by water, ice, or other adverse weather conditions do not trigger false locking, while still allowing deliberate user intent to succeed
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a door assembly for a motor vehicle. An example door assembly includes a door free of moveable exterior door handles. Further, the door is mounted relative to an opening in a body of the motor vehicle such that the door is moveable between a fully closed position, a fully open position, and a partially open position between the fully closed and fully open positions. The assembly further includes a switch assembly including a mechanical switch configured to generate a signal when pressed, and a door presenter assembly configured to move the door from the fully closed position to the partially open position in response to the signal from the mechanical switch.