Flush Vehicle Handle Device with Segmented Pivot Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional handle devices for vehicle doors and flaps protrude significantly, compromising aerodynamics and increasing the risk of accidents, particularly for pedestrians, due to their deep structure and external protrusion.

Innovation Solution

A handle device with a split design, where the handle part is pivotably or rotatably mounted in two parts, allowing for a shallow, flush integration with the vehicle, reducing protrusion and incorporating a connecting element for actuation, thereby improving aerodynamics and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the handle part is designed as a conventional pull handle protruding from the movable part, then the ease of operation is improved, but the aerodynamics and safety for pedestrians deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidaerodynamics and pedestrian safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle part is divided into two separable parts: a first part mounted on the movable part and a second part forming the operating element. This segmentation allows the handle to maintain functionality while reducing protrusion, as the second part can be designed to move between a retracted position (flush with surface) and an extended position (for operation).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle part is designed to be movable relative to the movable part, transitioning between a first position where it is arranged essentially flush with the outside surface (improving aerodynamics and safety) and a second position where it protrudes for operation. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between safety/aerodynamics and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the handle part protrudes far from the outside of the movable part, then the ease of operation is improved, but the space required within the movable part increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidspace required within movable part
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle part is designed to move primarily in a direction parallel to the outside surface of the movable part rather than protruding perpendicularly. This dimensional change allows the operating part to extend forward for ease of operation while minimizing the depth required within the movable part, thus reducing the volume occupied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the handle part is designed to be flush with the outside of the movable part, then the aerodynamics and pedestrian safety are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerodynamics and pedestrian safetyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle part transitions dynamically between a flush position (improving aerodynamics and safety) and an extended operating position (improving ease of operation). The movable mounting allows the handle to be flush with the outside surface when not in use, reducing harmful factors, while enabling protrusion during operation when needed for user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handle part is positioned in advance to be flush with the outside surface during normal vehicle operation, improving aerodynamics and safety. When operation is required, it can be moved to the extended position. This preliminary positioning resolves the contradiction by maintaining the beneficial flush state during most conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2569498B1Grip device, in particular for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2569498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2569498B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2569498B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a grip device (10) for a closure device (80) for a movable part (70), such as a door, lid or the like, of a vehicle, comprising a grip part (20), which is movably mounted relative to the movable part (70), wherein the closure device can be connected to the grip part (20) via a connecting element (14) and the grip part (80) is used to actuate the closure device (80). To this end, according to the invention the grip part (20) is composed of at least two parts, wherein a first part (21) is directly or indirectly mounted on the movable part (70) and a second part (22) is arranged movably on the first part (21), which forms an operating part (22) for operating the grip device (10).