Inertial Blocking Member for Vehicle Door Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inertial blocking member subassemblies in vehicle door release handle assemblies are only effective during the acceleration phase of an impact event, potentially allowing unintended door opening during the deformation phase, which can be dangerous for occupants.
Innovation Solution
An inertial blocking member subassembly with a biasing element and a blocking member that rotates into a 'hidden CG' configuration, remaining in a blocking position until the inertial force attenuates, ensuring the door cannot be opened unintentionally during both acceleration and deformation phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inertial blocking member returns to at-rest position during deformation phase, then the door can be opened for occupant exit, but unintended door opening may occur during deformation phase
Solution Approach 1:
The inertial blocking member is positioned in advance to block the bell crank actuator before impact occurs. During impact, the offset center of gravity automatically activates the blocking position without requiring additional control systems. The member remains in blocking position throughout the deformation phase, and only returns to at-rest position after acceleration forces have completely dissipated, ensuring no unintended door opening can occur during the critical deformation phase while still allowing door opening after impact.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the blocking member returns to at-rest position quickly, then door opening is enabled after impact, but the blocking action duration is insufficient during deformation phase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member's center of gravity is deliberately offset from its rotation axis, creating an asymmetric mass distribution. This parameter change ensures that during impact-induced acceleration, the inertial force generates sufficient torque to rotate the blocking member into the blocking position and maintain it there. The offset configuration also ensures the member remains blocked throughout the deformation phase and only returns to at-rest position after acceleration forces have completely dissipated, optimizing both blocking duration and post-impact door opening timing.
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
Prevents unintended door opening during and after an impact event by maintaining the blocking position until all acceleration forces have dissipated, ensuring occupant safety and allowing the door to be opened only when safe to do so.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial blocking member subassembly that impede the unintended movement of the release handle assembly and/or door opening actuator resulting from an impact to the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The subassembly has a blocking member and a biasing element. The biasing element is associated with the blocking member for biasing the blocking member to a first position
Data Source
AI summary
An inertial blocking member subassembly of a handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a blocking member pivotally rotatable about an axis of rotation, and the blocking member has a center of gravity offset from the axis of rotation. The blocking member is responsive to an acceleration force acting thereon to rotate about the axis of rotation from an at rest position in which the blocking member does not prevent unlatching of the vehicle door, to an engagement position in which the blocking member prevents unlatching of the vehicle door. In the engagement position, the center of mass is positioned between the axis of rotation and a vector of the acceleration force acting in a direction toward the center of mass and the axis of rotation, and the center of mass, the axis of rotation and the vector of the acceleration force are approximately in line with one another.