Flush Door Handle One-Way Coupling Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized vehicle door handle systems with flush designs pose safety concerns as they can trap users' fingers during closure, leading to anxiety and potential injury, while also being complex and costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A motorized assembly with a one-way coupling system and damping means that allows the handle to deploy and retract independently, featuring a freewheel mechanism and energy-dissipating damping to control the retraction speed and reduce anxiety, integrated within a compact and efficient design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used to lock the handle in the retracted position, then the handle remains secure in the stowed position, but the handle can trap the user's fingers during closing motion causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the actuator and handle is segmented into two independent directions: deployment direction (actuator drives handle) and retraction direction (actuator disengages from handle). This segmentation allows the handle to move independently during retraction, eliminating the finger-trapping hazard while maintaining secure positioning through the spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A one-way coupling system acts as an intermediary between the actuator and handle. This coupling allows force transmission in the deployment direction but blocks force transmission in the retraction direction, enabling safe independent handle movement while maintaining actuator control during extension.
2Shape
If the handle is flush-mounted for aesthetic and aerodynamic reasons, then the vehicle appearance is improved, but the handle presents no visible grip and must be extended before operation
Solution Approach 1:
The handle transitions from a static flush-mounted position to a dynamic extended position when needed. The actuator mechanism enables the handle to pivot outward from the flush position, providing visible grip and accessibility only when required, while maintaining the aesthetic flush appearance during normal conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If damping means are added to control handle retraction speed and reduce anxiety, then user safety perception is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping means are integrated within the existing one-way coupling system structure. By merging the damping function into the coupling mechanism housing, the patent controls handle retraction speed and reduces user anxiety without adding separate external damping components, thereby minimizing system complexity.
4Extent of automation
If a motorized actuator is used to control handle extension and retraction, then handle operation is automated, but the system becomes more complex and costly to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the actuator handles deployment direction control, while the one-way coupling and spring mechanism handle retraction direction control. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the motorized system by allowing passive mechanical elements to handle the retraction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism and one-way coupling enable the handle to perform its own retraction and positioning functions without continuous motor intervention. The system uses stored elastic energy and mechanical constraint to automatically return and secure the handle, reducing reliance on the motorized actuator for bidirectional control.
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 safety by decoupling handle retraction from actuator movement, reducing retraction torque and speed, and maintaining grip during slight jamming, while simplifying the system and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
means for damping the movement of the handle to its retracted position. The damping means are energy-dissipating.
Implementation Method 2
The damping means are energy-dissipating
Implementation Method 3
a one-way coupling system for the handle to the actuator, the system being configured such that in the deployment direction the actuator moves the handle, and in the retraction direction the actuator is disengaged from the handle
Implementation Method 4
return means configured to move the handle to its retracted position. The return means include a spring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an external opening control of a motor vehicle door. The control includes a pivoting handle (4) with an outer surface flush with the outer surface of the door. The handle (4) is movable from a retracted position into a deployed position in order to be pivoted further by a user with a view to unlocking the corresponding openable body section. The control likewise includes a mobile actuator (14) deploying the handle (4); means for returning the handle (4) to the retracted position thereof; a one-way coupling system (16) configured to couple the actuator (14) with the handle (4) in the direction of deployment of the actuator (14) and to uncouple the actuator (14) from the handle (4) in the retraction direction of the actuator (14); and means for damping (26) the retraction of the handle.