Motor Vehicle Handle Auxiliary Restoring Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicle handle arrangements can freeze in the actuating position during prolonged inactivity or storage, preventing the handle from retracting back into the non-use position, which disrupts normal operation.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary restoring element is motion-coupled to the motor-driven actuating element, providing a jerking motion to the handle part in the direction of its non-use position during faulty operation, facilitating the mechanical restoring element to push it back into place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the handle part is extended into the actuating position for prolonged periods during storage or inactivity, then the handle part can be easily accessed and operated, but the handle part freezes in the actuating position and cannot retract back to the non-use position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle accessibilityVSAvoidhandle retraction reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary restoring element provides periodic jerking motions to the handle part in the direction of the non-use position during faulty operation. This periodic action helps break the frozen state by repeatedly applying force until the handle part can be moved back to its non-use position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary restoring element acts as an intermediary between the motor-driven actuating element and the handle part. When the motor-driven element fails to retract the handle, the auxiliary restoring element mediates by providing additional restoring force through jerking motions to overcome the frozen state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a mechanical restoring element is used to push the handle part back from the actuating position, then the handle part can automatically return to the non-use position, but the restoring force is insufficient when the handle part is frozen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle retraction speedVSAvoidrestoring force

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary restoring element transforms the static restoring force into a dynamic jerking motion. By providing periodic, impulsive forces rather than a constant static force, the system can overcome the frozen state of the handle part more effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The jerking motion produced by the auxiliary restoring element creates mechanical vibrations in the handle part assembly. These vibrations help break the frozen state by disrupting the bonds holding the handle part in the actuating position, enabling it to return to the non-use position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

Ensures the handle part is safely and effectively moved from the actuating position to the non-use position, even when frozen, maintaining operational integrity during storage or inactivity.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanical restoring element (9), wherein the motor-driven actuating element (6) is designed to move the handle part (4) from the non-use position into the actuating position during its movement from the neutral position into the active position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an auxiliary restoring element (32), which is motion-coupled to the motor-driven actuating element (6), wherein the auxiliary restoring element (32) is designed to move the handle part (4) in the direction of its non-use position at least for a portion of its movement during a faulty operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11920387B2Motor vehicle handle arrangement and method for operating such a motor vehicle handle arrangement

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A motor vehicle handle arrangement includes an actuating element, which is movable between a neutral position and an active position, a handle part, which is movable between a non-use position and an actuating position, and a mechanical restoring element. In a normal operation, the actuating element is designed to move the handle part from the non-use position into the actuating position. In the active position, it holds the handle part in the actuating position. An auxiliary restoring element is movably mounted and coupled in movement with the actuating element in such a way that, during a faulty operation in which the actuating element moves into the neutral position and the handle part is arranged remaining in its actuating position, it is designed, at least for a fraction of its movement, to move the handle part concomitantly in the direction of its non-use position.