Flush Door Handle Blocking Bridge for Crash Unlatching Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flush translational handles in motor vehicle roll-up doors can undesirably unlatch during a crash due to inertial forces, posing a safety risk by exposing users to potential injuries.
Innovation Solution
A handle arrangement with a blocking system comprising an inertial rotor and a bridge that moves between disengaged and engaged positions to directly prevent the unlatching of the door latch lever, independent of the rear lever's rotation, using a bridge that cooperates with the latch lever to block its rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a translational handle arrangement is provided with an inertial rotor to prevent undesired unlatching during a crash, then the door security during crash is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the long kinematic mechanism chain
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking system is segmented into two independent functional components: an inertial rotor that detects crash conditions and a bridge that directly blocks the latch lever. This segmentation eliminates the need for a long kinematic mechanism chain while maintaining crash protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge acts as an intermediary element that directly connects the inertial rotor's blocking action to the latch lever. Instead of using a complex chain of levers and cables, the bridge provides a direct mechanical path to block the latch lever when the inertial rotor is activated during a crash.
2Device complexity
If the rear lever is used to drive the latch lever during normal operation, then the handle arrangement is simple, but the rear lever can undergo torsions during a crash resulting in deformation and undesired actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the normal operation function (rear lever driving latch lever) from the crash protection function (bridge blocking latch lever). This segmentation allows the simple rear lever mechanism to remain for normal use while adding a dedicated crash protection path that is independent of the rear lever's mechanical state.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on the rear lever to both operate the latch and protect against crash, the invention inverts the approach by using a separate bridge mechanism that actively blocks the latch lever during crash. The protection mechanism works by preventing motion rather than by controlling motion through the original lever system.
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 system effectively prevents undesired unlatching of the door during a crash by rapidly engaging the latch lever, reducing the risk of user injury and ensuring the door remains secure.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial rotor configured to be driven in rotation by an inertial force from a rest position to a blocking position
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an handle arrangement comprising a handle, a latch lever for unlatching the door, a deploying system pivotally coupled with the handle, a blocking system comprising an inertial rotor configured to be driven in rotation by an inertial force from a rest position to a preventing position, wherein the blocking system further comprises a bridge moveable about a pivot axis between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein the bridge comprises an engagement arm that, in the disengaged position, is spaced apart from the latch lever and, in the engaged position, engages the latch lever to prevent the unlatching of the door, wherein the bridge further comprises an actuating arm configured to cooperate with the inertial rotor when the latter moves from the rest position to the preventing position, such cooperation moving the bridge from the disengaged position and the engaged position.