Parallel Retracting Vehicle Door Handle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exterior door handles on vehicles disrupt aerodynamics due to their protrusion from the door surface, increasing drag and reducing the vehicle's overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A door handle assembly that extends and retracts in a parallel manner, allowing the handle to be flush with the vehicle door surface when not in use, utilizing a swing arm mechanism and sensors for operation, and incorporating a handle base member and planar handle member with post portions for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door handle protrudes from the door surface to provide a gripping surface, then the ease of operation is improved, but the aerodynamics deteriorate due to increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle is designed to dynamically change its position between protruding (for operation) and retracted (for aerodynamics). The handle can extend outward when needed for gripping and then retract parallel to the door surface to minimize aerodynamic drag, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and aerodynamic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The door handle transitions from a three-dimensional protruding structure to a two-dimensional flush surface by retracting parallel to the door. This dimensional reduction eliminates the recessed area problem and maintains aerodynamic smoothness while preserving operational functionality when extended
2Ease of operation
If the door handle spans a recessed area to provide a gripping surface, then the ease of operation is improved, but the aerodynamics deteriorate due to the recessed area
Solution Approach 1:
The handle base member and planar handle member work together to dynamically eliminate the recessed area. When retracted, the handle members align flush with the door surface, eliminating the recessed area that would otherwise disrupt aerodynamics while maintaining the gripping function when extended
3Ease of operation
If the door handle is extended for use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the aerodynamics deteriorate due to protrusion from the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operational needs. The handle members can extend to provide a large gripping surface for easy operation, then retract parallel to the door surface to minimize the protrusion that generates aerodynamic drag, effectively resolving the contradiction between operational ease and drag reduction
Data Source
AI summary
A door handle assembly extends a door handle in parallel from an outer surface of a vehicle door and retracts the door handle until it is flush with the outer surface. The door handle assembly includes a door handle formed from a planar handle member and a handle base member. The planar handle member is coupled to the handle base member and a swing arm coupled to the backside of the handle base member extends and retracts the door handle. A first upper fork is rotably coupled to a backside of the handle base member near the distal portion of a first post portion and a second upper fork is rotably coupled to the backside of the handle base member near the distal portion of a second post portion. The lower dual fork portion of the swing arm pivots about a shaft mounted to an inner door surface.