Motorized Vehicle Door Handle Actuator with One-Way Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized vehicle door handles with flush designs pose safety concerns due to the risk of finger trapping and pinching during closure, leading to an anxiety-inducing effect that negatively impacts the perceived quality of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A motorized assembly with a one-way coupling system and damping means integrated into the actuator housing, allowing the handle to deploy and retract smoothly, decoupling the handle's position from the actuator's internal configuration during retraction, and providing a lower retraction torque and slower return movement to prevent pinching and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the handle is made flush-mounted for aesthetic and aerodynamic reasons, then the appearance quality and aerodynamic performance are improved, but the handle cannot be grasped directly and requires extension mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to be dynamic rather than static, automatically extending from a flush-mounted retracted position to an accessible deployed position when actuated, and automatically returning to retracted position after use. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both aesthetic flush appearance and operational accessibility at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle system performs self-service by automatically extending and retracting without requiring manual manipulation. The actuator mechanism autonomously controls the handle's deployment and retraction, eliminating the need for users to manually extend the handle while maintaining flush aesthetic appearance.
2Reliability
If a spring is compressed to lock the handle in retracted position, then the handle remains secure, but the motor can injure fingers by pinching during closing motion
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful pinching action is extracted and separated from the useful handle extension function. The actuator is designed to extend the handle only when commanded, with controlled motion that prevents unintended pinching. The spring mechanism is configured to provide controlled resistance rather than uncontrolled snap-back, eliminating the finger injury risk while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by using a compressed spring to create controlled resistance during handle movement. This pre-configured spring force opposes the motor's closing motion in a controlled manner, preventing sudden uncontrolled movements that could pinch fingers, while still allowing the handle to be securely locked in position.
3Speed
If the handle extends rapidly for quick operation, then the response time is improved, but the motor forcing and potential pinching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle extension speed is made dynamic rather than constant. The actuator provides rapid extension when needed for quick operation, but automatically modulates the speed during retraction and positioning phases. This dynamic speed control allows fast response when required while preventing excessive forcing forces that could cause pinching or damage.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly for an external opening control of a motor vehicle door. The assembly comprises a mounting and a handle (4) movable in a deployment direction and in a retraction direction. An actuator (14) includes a housing (24), a first movable portion (20) driving the handle (4) in the deployment direction, a second movable portion (22) moving when the actuator (14) is supplied with energy, and a one-way coupling system (16). The one-way coupling system (16) is arranged in the housing (24) and couples the second portion (22) to the first portion (20) when the second portion (22) moves so as to drive the handle in the deployment direction via the first portion (20). In the retraction direction, the second portion (22) is uncoupled from the handle (4).