Vehicle Inside Handle Impact Damping for Quiet Lock Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inside handle devices for vehicles generate amplified impact sounds during locking or unlocking, which are perceived as abnormal and undesirable by vehicle occupants.

Innovation Solution

The inside handle device incorporates an impact absorbing portion on the handle base, featuring a partition wall and an elastic impact absorbing wall portion with protruding pieces that absorb vibrations and redirect the propagation path of vibrations away from the door panel, reducing the transmission of impact sounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lock lever contacts the stopper portion to enable locking or unlocking, then the door locking function is achieved, but impact sound is generated and amplified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor locking functionVSAvoidimpact sound

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an impact absorbing portion as an intermediary element between the lock lever and the handle base. This intermediary component absorbs the impact energy generated during locking/unlocking operations, preventing direct transmission of impact forces to the handle base and door panel, thereby reducing the amplified impact sound while maintaining the door locking function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful impact energy into beneficial vibration absorption. The impact absorbing portion is designed to convert the sharp impact sound into dampened vibrations that are absorbed by the material, transforming the harmful acoustic effect into a controlled mechanical energy dissipation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If vibration is transmitted to the door panel via the handle base, then the locking mechanism functions, but sound is amplified and perceived as abnormal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism functionVSAvoidamplified sound

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The impact absorbing portion serves as a mediator between the locking mechanism and the door panel. It intercepts vibration transmission paths, absorbing impact energy before it can propagate through the handle base to the door panel, thereby preventing sound amplification while preserving the locking mechanism's functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration effectively reduces the hitting sound generated during locking or unlocking by damping and absorbing the impact, minimizing the vibration transmission to the door panel and thus reducing the perceived noise.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic impact absorbing wall portion with protruding pieces that absorb vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

absorb vibrations and redirect the propagation path of vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3805494B1Inside handle device

Publication Date: 2024.04.10 ALPHA

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AI summary

This inside handle device comprises: a handle base that is mounted to a door panel of a vehicle; a lock lever that is rotatably supported on the handle base; a stopper unit that is provided in the handle base and that limits the range through which the lock lever rotates; and a shock absorber unit that is provided in the handle base and that absorbs shock generated as a result of the lock lever and the stopper unit coming into contact.