Flush Vehicle Door Handle Actuator Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flush door handles for vehicles require additional components like flaps to prevent movement during driving, making them inconvenient for users as they need preliminary movements to access the grip member.
Innovation Solution
A flush handle design that eliminates the need for a flap, featuring a grip member that moves between a flush, active, and opening position, driven by an actuator lever and activation member to unlatch the door, with optional features like motorized actuation and bistable spring mechanisms for simplified operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a flush handle with a moveable flap is used, then the aerodynamic noise is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional pieces needed to maintain the flap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flap component entirely from the handle assembly. Instead of having a moveable flap that needs maintenance mechanisms, the invention uses a fixed flush-mounted grip member that integrates directly with the door panel, eliminating the source of aerodynamic noise while simplifying the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The grip member is merged with the door panel in a flush arrangement, where the grip member lies substantially in the plane of the door when retracted. This integration eliminates the need for separate flap maintenance mechanisms while maintaining the aerodynamic benefits of a flush design
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flush handle with a moveable flap is used, then the aerodynamic noise is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates as preliminary movements are needed to access the grip member
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator lever is positioned and configured to be directly accessible to the user without requiring preliminary movements. When the user approaches the door, the actuator lever is already in a position where it can be immediately actuated, eliminating the need to first manipulate a flap or other intermediate components
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator lever serves as an intermediary element that provides direct mechanical connection between the user's pulling action and the latch mechanism. This intermediary component translates the user's simple pulling motion on the grip member into the necessary latch activation without requiring additional preliminary movements
3Reliability
If additional pieces including means for maintaining the flap are added, then the reliability improves by avoiding flap movements during driving, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the flap component and its associated maintenance mechanisms from the handle assembly. By eliminating the moving flap entirely, the patent prevents all reliability issues related to flap movement during driving while simultaneously reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flush-mounted grip member is designed to be inherently stable and self-retaining in its retracted position through its integration with the door panel and the actuator lever mechanism. No additional maintenance pieces are needed as the design itself provides the necessary stability and reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A handle for a vehicle door is provided that includes an activation member configured to activate a latch of a vehicle door and a grip member that cooperates with the activation member to unlatch the door. The grip member is movable between a flush position where a gripping part extends flush to an external panel of the door, an active position where the gripping part is graspable by projecting from the panel and the grip member cooperates with the activation member, and an opening position where the grip member drives the activation member to activate the latch and unlatch the door. In one form, a driving mechanism and actuator lever drives the grip member between the flush and active position. When the grip member is pulled in an opening direction, the grip member drives the activation member which in turn activates the latch to unlatch the door.