Flush Vehicle Door Handle With Optical Hand Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door handle systems lack efficient and user-friendly mechanisms for opening vehicle doors, particularly when using passive entry systems, as they often require manual operation or suffer from issues like rain interference and latency with capacitive sensors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular exterior door handle assembly that incorporates a light projecting and light sensing module, allowing the handle to project a logo or icon when deployed and sensing the presence of a user's hand to automatically open the door, thereby enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional manual door handle operation is used, then the door can be opened reliably, but the user experience is not intuitive and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical manual operation with an optical sensing system. The light sensing module detects the user's hand presence and automatically triggers the door opening mechanism, eliminating the need for manual handle operation while maintaining reliable door opening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The door handle system performs automatic detection and activation without user intervention. The light sensing module autonomously detects when a user approaches and intends to open the door, and the system automatically actuates the latch mechanism, making the system serve itself rather than requiring manual operation.
2Extent of automation
If capacitive sensors are used for passive entry, then automatic door opening is achieved, but the system suffers from rain interference and latency issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes capacitive sensing with optical sensing using light emitters and light sensors. This optical system is not affected by rain or moisture, eliminating the environmental interference issues that plague capacitive sensors while maintaining automatic door opening functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the handle portion is always deployed for easy access, then user accessibility is improved, but the aerodynamic profile and aesthetic appearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic handle system that transitions between flush and deployed states. The handle portion moves from a flush position (maintaining aerodynamic profile) to a deployed position (providing user access) based on operational needs, combining aesthetic benefits with functional accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle portion is preliminarily positioned in the flush state to maintain the door's aerodynamic profile and aesthetic appearance. When needed, it deploys to provide user access, ensuring the preferred shape is maintained during non-operational periods.
4Shape
If the handle portion is retracted into the door for aerodynamic profile, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but manual operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with automatic optical detection and actuation. The light sensing module detects user presence and automatically deploys the handle or actuates the door opening mechanism, eliminating the difficulty of operating a retracted handle while maintaining the aerodynamic profile.
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
The solution provides a seamless and intuitive door-opening experience by using light projection and sensing technology, reducing the need for manual operation and improving reliability in various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A light projection device is operable to project an icon or character onto the outer surface of the handle portion when the handle portion is in the deployed orientation
Implementation Method 2
a light sensing module... the light sensing module senses presence of the user's hand
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a base portion configured to mount at an exterior door handle region of a vehicular door, a handle portion, and a sensing device operable to sense presence of a person's fingers in a pocket region behind the lower portion of the handle. The handle portion is pivotable between a non-deployed orientation, where an outer surface of the handle portion is coplanar with an outer surface of the vehicular door at the exterior door handle region, and a deployed orientation, where the handle portion is pivoted inward into a door handle pocket within the vehicular door. With the handle in the deployed orientation and when a person's fingers are in the pocket region, the sensing device senses presence of the person's fingers at the pocket region and triggers an actuator of the vehicular exterior door handle assembly to unlatch the vehicular door.