Vehicular Handle Shaft Retention via Deformation Limiting Stopper

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicular handle devices are prone to elastic piece fracture when the shaft component is inserted in a tilted posture or under prying force, leading to the shaft component coming off or becoming unmountable, due to excessive deformation and low fracture strength.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular handle device featuring a cantilever-shaped elastic piece with a stopper protrusion portion that limits elastic deformation, preventing excessive stress and fracture, and is configured with upstanding walls to protect the elastic piece from lateral loads, simplifying the mold structure by eliminating undercuts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the elastic piece is formed to be easily deformed to enhance ease of inserting operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the fracture strength becomes low and the risk of fracture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inserting operationVSAvoidfracture strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper protrusion portion is pre-configured in the handle base to limit the elastic deformation range of the elastic piece before insertion occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement prevents excessive deformation during the insertion process, allowing the elastic piece to be sufficiently compliant for easy insertion while maintaining adequate fracture strength by preventing deformation beyond safe limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the elastic piece is made more compliant to allow easier shaft component insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability against fracture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inserting operationVSAvoidfracture resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper protrusion portion is pre-configured in the handle base to limit the elastic deformation range of the elastic piece before insertion occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement prevents excessive deformation during the insertion process, allowing the elastic piece to be sufficiently compliant for easy insertion while maintaining adequate fracture strength by preventing deformation beyond safe limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the elastic piece is designed with greater deformation capability to accommodate tilted insertion, then the adaptability is improved, but the fracture risk increases due to excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of tilted insertionVSAvoidresistance to excessive stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper protrusion portion is pre-configured in the handle base to limit the elastic deformation range of the elastic piece before insertion occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement prevents excessive deformation during the insertion process, allowing the elastic piece to be sufficiently compliant for easy insertion while maintaining adequate fracture strength by preventing deformation beyond safe limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively prevents the shaft component from coming off or becoming unmountable, ensuring reliable attachment and simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the risk of elastic piece fracture and mold complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a cantilever-shaped elastic piece 5 formed on the handle base 2 and configured to be elastically deformed to allow passage of the shaft component 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the handle base 2 is provided with a stopper protrusion portion 7 which limits an elastic deformation range of the elastic piece 5 by letting a free end portion of the elastic piece 5 abut on a stopper surface 6

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9803402B2Vehicular handle device

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 ALPHA

AI summary

A vehicular handle device includes: a handle base fixed to a vehicle and holding an operating handle; and a shaft component inserted into and attached to a bearing portion provided in the handle base. The shaft component is retained in the bearing portion while being restrained from moving in a slipping-out direction by a cantilever-shaped elastic piece formed on the handle base and configured to be elastically deformed to allow passage of the shaft component. The handle base is provided with a stopper protrusion portion which limits an elastic deformation range of the elastic piece by letting a free end portion of the elastic piece abut on a stopper surface.