Mechanical Vehicle Door Handle Assembly for Power-Independent Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door handle assemblies with translative movement are expensive and unsuitable for entry-level vehicles due to their motorized components, and they may fail during electrical power outages.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical vehicle door handle assembly using levers and elastic means to translate between rest and deployed positions, with a return lever and delay element to manage transitions, eliminating the need for electric actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric actuators are used to motorize the door handle assembly, then the handle can translate between rest and deployed positions, but the cost increases and reliability decreases during electrical power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric actuator system with a purely mechanical linkage system consisting of levers (first lever, second lever, return lever) and rods that translate the handle between positions mechanically, eliminating dependency on electrical power while maintaining the translation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means (springs) automatically return the levers and handle to their rest positions without requiring external power or control systems, providing self-service functionality that ensures operation during power failures
2Ease of operation
If electric actuators are used to motorize the door handle assembly, then the handle can translate between rest and deployed positions, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex electric actuators with simpler mechanical components (levers, rods, springs) that are easier and less expensive to manufacture, while achieving the same handle translation function
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system is divided into separate functional components (first lever for deployment, second lever for activation, return lever for resetting, elastic means for returning) that can be manufactured independently and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost
3Device complexity
If a mechanical linkage system is used without delay elements, then the structure is simpler, but the transition smoothness and control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The delay element acts as an intermediary component between the return lever and the second lever, mediating the return motion to provide controlled, smooth transitions while adding minimal complexity to the overall mechanical system
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
Provides a cost-effective and reliable mechanism for vehicle door handle operation, ensuring smooth transitions and functionality even in power outages.
Implementation Method 1
The first lever (3) comprises an elastic mean (34) passively bringing back said first lever (3) from its deployed position to its rest position
Implementation Method 2
The return lever (5) comprises an elastic mean (56) passively bringing back said return lever (5) to its first position
Implementation Method 3
The return lever (5) is connected to a delay element (6) which slows down the passive rotation of the return lever (5) from its second to its first position
Implementation Method 4
The at least one damper (6) may comprise a gearwheel and the extremity of the return lever (5) connected to the at least one damper (6) may comprise an arc portion with teeth (54) engaged with said gearwheel (61)
Implementation Method 5
The connection between the first lever and the first extremity of the handle may be a pivot-slide connection
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle door handle assembly (1) comprising a handle (2) comprising a first extremity (22) and a second extremity (23) opposed to the first extremity (22), the first extremity (22) being connected to a first lever (3) connected to an opening lever, said first lever (3) rotating between a rest position where the first extremity (22) is in a rest position, a deployed position where the first extremity (22) is in a deployed position outside the bracket (10) and an opening position where the first lever (3) actuates the opening lever, the second extremity (23) being connected to a second lever (4) rotating between a rest position where the second extremity (23) is a rest position, an activation position where the second extremity (23) is pushed into the bracket (10), and a deployed position where the second extremity (23) is in a deployed position outside the bracket (10), the vehicle door handle assembly (1) also comprising a return lever (5) connected to the second lever (4), said return lever (5) rotating between a first position and a second position, the return lever (5) comprising an elastic mean (56) passively bringing back said return lever (5) to its first position, the rotation of the second lever (4) to its activation position actuates the rotation of the return lever (5) from its first to its second position, and the passive rotation of the return lever (5) from its second to its first position actuates the rotation of the second lever (4) from its deployed position to its rest position.