Flush Vehicle Door Handle with Integrated Locking Button

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door designs with flush-mounted handles lack a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing solution for integrating a button to actuate the locking device while maintaining functionality and protection from soiling and rainwater.

Innovation Solution

A fixed door handle with a web integrally connected to the door outer skin, featuring engagement openings and a u-shaped reach-through space, allows for easy finger engagement and includes a hidden button attached to a reinforcing structure for actuation, which can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a button is added to actuate the locking device, then the functionality is improved, but the susceptibility to soiling and rainwater ingress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsoiling and rainwater ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The button is nested within the recess in the door outer skin, creating a protected cavity that shields the button from direct exposure to soiling and rainwater while maintaining accessibility for actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The web acts as an intermediary structure that connects the button to the locking device mechanism while providing structural support and positioning the button within the protected recess area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a web structure is used to integrate the button, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The web merges multiple functions into a single structural element: it provides reinforcement for the button mounting, creates the recess geometry, and serves as the mounting structure for the locking device actuation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The web structure serves multiple purposes simultaneously: structural reinforcement, button positioning, recess formation, and mechanical linkage to the locking device, eliminating the need for separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Shape

If the button is hidden from outside view, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the accessibility for operation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The recess creates a localized visual distinction that hides the button from general view while maintaining a specific access path for fingers, creating different visual and tactile qualities in different areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11352820B2Vehicle door

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A vehicle door (2) has a fixed door handle (2) that is flush with the surface of a door outer skin (4). The door handle (2) has a button (15) for actuating a locking device (5) of the vehicle door (1). The door handle (2) has a web (6) that is part of the door outer skin (4).