Flush Handle Flap Mechanism for Crash Deployment Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flush handles on motor vehicles can undesirably deploy during a crash accident due to inertial forces, potentially causing injuries by opening the door unexpectedly.
Innovation Solution
A flap system comprising a rotatable body, an axle, and a reversibly deformable member that tilts between a blocking and disengaged configuration, preventing unwanted deployment by blocking the handle's path unless actuated by the user, using a driving member and a helical coil spring to maintain the flap system in the blocking configuration until user-initiated deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the handle is designed as a flush handle that fits with the door panel surface, then aerodynamics and visual appearance are improved, but the handle can undesirably deploy during a crash due to inertial forces
Solution Approach 1:
A flap system is introduced as an intermediary component between the handle and the external environment. The flap can be positioned in a blocking configuration to prevent undesired handle deployment during crashes while allowing normal handle operation when disengaged, thus mediating between aerodynamic requirements and safety control
Solution Approach 2:
The flap system is pre-positioned in a blocking configuration that actively prevents undesired handle deployment before a crash occurs. This preliminary protective action counteracts the inertial forces that would otherwise cause harmful handle deployment during vehicle accidents
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
Effectively prevents unintended deployment of the handle during crashes, ensuring user safety by maintaining the flap system in a blocking configuration until a valid deployment input is made, thereby preventing accidental door opening.
Implementation Method 1
the door can undesirably be unlatched because of the inertial force resulting from the displacement of the motor vehicle applied to the handle arrangement mechanism
Implementation Method 2
the reversibly deformable member can be a helical coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
A flap system for impairing with an undesired deployment of a handle of a handle arrangement of a motor vehicle includes: a body, an axle and a reversibly deformable member, the body being rotatable around the axle and including a flap and a driving member, the flap system tilting about the axle between a blocking configuration and a disengaged configuration. The reversibly deformable member maintains the flap system in the blocking configuration, the flap system moving to the disengaged position by actuation of the driving member triggering the deformation of the reversibly deformable member and the rotation of the body around the axle. When the flap system is mounted in the handle arrangement, the flap, in the disengaged position, is spaced apart from the handle to allow its deployment and, in the blocking configuration, faces the handle to prevent its deployment.