Illuminated Virtual Handle for Handleless Vehicle Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of handleless vehicle doors struggle to identify the correct grasp area to manually open the door, as there is no external handle, leading to confusion about where to grasp for further opening.
Innovation Solution
An illumination assembly is integrated into the door, activated when the door is partially opened, providing a visual indication of the grasp area and timing for manual opening, ensuring the user can easily open the door to its fully-open position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the door is configured without an external handle to provide a more aesthetic and aerodynamic profile, then the vehicle appearance is improved, but the user cannot easily identify where to grasp to manually open the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies illumination to the grasp area of the handleless door, causing it to change from a non-illuminated state to an illuminated state. This visual change through illumination allows users to easily identify the grasp area while maintaining the aesthetic handleless design, directly resolving the contradiction between aerodynamic profile and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the illumination assembly is activated to provide visual indication of the grasp area, then the ease of operation is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination assembly is activated periodically rather than continuously - specifically when the door is in the presented position and deactivated when the door is fully opened or closed. This periodic activation provides necessary visual guidance to users while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous illumination.
3Ease of operation
If the door is equipped with power release and power opening features, then the convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the illumination assembly into the existing door system that already includes the presenter assembly and latch assembly. By merging the illumination function with the existing power release and power opening features, the system provides enhanced convenience without adding significant complexity, as the illumination is controlled by the same electronic control system that manages the power door features.
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 illumination assembly effectively guides the user to the correct grasp area, enhancing user experience by providing a clear visual cue for opening the handleless door, ensuring safe and easy operation.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination assembly providing an illuminated opening function
Data Source
AI summary
A closure system for a handleless door of a motor vehicle equipped with a power release latch assembly, a power opening presenter assembly, and an illumination assembly configured to illuminate a grasp area (virtual handle) of the handleless door upon the handleless door being moved to a partially-open position via the power opening presenter assembly.