Flush Interior Vehicle Door Handle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interior vehicle door handles disrupt the smooth profile of car doors due to their design, and existing solutions do not effectively address the need for a seamless interior surface while allowing easy access for opening the door.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door control arrangement that includes a door handle which can be moved between a rest position within the door and an operable position extending outward, using a control mechanism and operating means such as infrared sensors or touch-sensitive components to detect user presence and vehicle status, ensuring the handle is only extended when needed and safely retracted otherwise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional interior door handle is provided accessible at all times, then a person can easily access the handle to open the door, but the handle and recess prevent a smooth profile on the door interior
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle is made movable between a retracted position (flush with door interior) and an extended operable position. The handle movement means selectively positions the handle between these states, allowing the door interior to maintain a smooth profile when the handle is retracted while still providing access when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating means detects when it is required to open the door and automatically extends the handle to the operable position before the user needs to pull it. This preliminary action of extending the handle eliminates the need for a recess and maintains the smooth profile while ensuring the handle is accessible when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the door handle is extended outwardly for easy access, then a person can manually engage the handle, but the handle disrupts the smooth profile of the door interior
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to be dynamically positioned - retracted into the door interior when not in use to maintain smooth profile, and extended outwardly when operation is detected to enable manual engagement. The handle movement means facilitates this dynamic repositioning.
3Shape
If automatic detection and extension of the door handle is implemented, then the smooth profile is maintained during normal use, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating means uses non-mechanical detection methods (such as infrared sensors, capacitive sensors, or proximity sensors) to detect when the door needs to be opened, replacing complex mechanical detection mechanisms. This substitution reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the smooth profile benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism integrates multiple functions: detecting user presence or intent to open, activating the handle movement means, and coordinating with the door latching means. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a unified control arrangement.
4Shape
If the door handle is made movable between retracted and extended positions, then the smooth profile is maintained, but the ease of operation may be reduced due to automatic control
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle system performs self-service by automatically detecting when opening is required and extending the handle itself without requiring manual manipulation. The operating means detects user presence or intent and activates the handle movement means, making the system self-activating while remaining easy to operate through simple proximity or touch detection.
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
Maintains a smooth door interior profile during normal use while enabling easy door access, preventing accidental opening while the vehicle is in motion and ensuring safe handling by automatically adjusting the handle's position based on user interaction and vehicle status.
Implementation Method 1
The operating means may include an infrared sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door control arrangement 10 for permitting opening of a vehicle door 12, the arrangement 10 including a door handle means 14. A control mechanism 16 is locatable in the door 12, and operable by movement of the door handle means 14 to cause door latching means to disengage from the closed position. A door handle movement means 18 is provided, operable to selectively move the door handle means 14 between a rest position in which the door handle means 14 is located substantially within the door 12, and an operable position in which the door handle means 14 extends outwardly from the door 12 such that the door handle means 14 can be manually engaged by a person. Operating means 20 is provided to detect when it is required to open the door, and in response to cause the door handle movement means 18 to move the door handle means 14 from the rest position to the operable position.