Vehicle Door Unlocking Assembly with Dual Spring Restraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door unlocking mechanisms for vehicles, such as vans and trucks, are prone to accidental unlocking due to stress and impact, leading to potential hazards and requiring overdimensioned components for safety, which can be costly and prone to breakage.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a U-shaped handle, a rotatable button, and a rocker arm with dual spring restraints that prevent accidental unlocking by ensuring the handle remains locked until intentionally released, distributing stress across multiple components for enhanced mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single spring-loaded button with a protruding lip is used to prevent accidental unlocking, then the door can be protected from accidental opening, but the contact point is prone to stress concentration and breakage under repeated use and violent shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring-loaded button is divided into two independent spring-loaded elements: a primary button with protruding lip and a secondary rocker arm with protruding lip. Each element independently prevents accidental unlocking, and the stress from violent shocks is distributed across both elements rather than concentrated on a single contact point, eliminating the need for overdimensioning.
2Strength
If the handle and locking components are overdimensioned to withstand violent shocks and stresses, then the door can resist accidental opening from impact, but the device becomes more expensive and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of overdimensioning a single locking component, the solution segments the protection function into two separate spring-loaded elements (primary button and secondary rocker arm). Each element can be of standard, cost-effective dimensions while collectively providing robust protection against violent shocks and impacts.
3Reliability
If a single spring-loaded button is used to guard against accidental unlocking, then the mechanism can prevent accidental opening, but any breakage of the spring completely deprives the handle of its safety functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements redundancy by providing two independent spring-loaded safety elements (primary button and secondary rocker arm). If one spring breaks or fails, the other element continues to provide accidental unlocking prevention, ensuring the safety function is not completely lost. This redundancy cushions against the harmful effect of component failure.
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
The assembly effectively reduces the risk of accidental unlocking, maintains high mechanical strength, and ensures reliability even under violent stresses, without the need for overdimensioning, while allowing easy operation and key-secured access.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first spring, which is capable of keeping the rocker arm in interference with the rotation of the handle
Implementation Method 2
at least one second spring, which is capable of keeping the button in interference with the rotation of the handle
Implementation Method 3
The rocker arm is moveable at least between a first angular configuration... and a second angular configuration... The button is moveable at least between a first angular position... and a second angular position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Assembly for unlocking the door of vehicles, of the type of vans, trucks, lorries, semi-trailer trucks, trailers and the like, which comprises a base (2) which can be stably coupled to the door, and a handle (3) which is fixed to at least one bar (4), which in turn can be coupled in a rotatable manner to the door and which rigidly supports respective means of anchoring to the frame of the vehicle. The handle (3) is rotatable at least from a secured configuration, in which it is substantially facing and proximate to the base (2) and in which the anchoring means can be engaged with the frame of the vehicle, to at least one released configuration, in which it is at least partially lifted from the base (2) and in which the anchoring means can be disengaged from the frame of the vehicle, in order to allow the free rotation and the opening of the door, and vice versa. The base (2) is coupled in a rotatable manner to a button (5), which is moveable at least between a first angular position, in which it is elastically kept in interference with the rotation of the handle (3), and a second angular position, in which it is disengaged from the handle (3). The assembly comprises a securing body (6), which is moveable at least between a first angular configuration, in which, independently of the button (5), it is elastically kept in interference with the rotation of the handle (3), and a second angular configuration, in which it is disengaged from the handle (3).