Vehicle Door Handle Buffer Integration for Quiet Return

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door handle devices generate impact sounds when the handle returns to its initial position due to biasing forces, which can increase the device size and compromise assemblability if measures are taken to suppress these sounds.

Innovation Solution

A door handle device with a buffer member integrated into the transmission member to absorb the impact sound when the handle returns, maintaining the device's size and assemblability by assembling the buffer member with the transmission member as a sub-assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a buffer member is added to suppress impact sound, then quietness is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact soundVSAvoiddoor handle device size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member is integrated into the transmission member by providing a holding portion on the transmission member that receives and secures the buffer member. This merging of components allows the buffer function to be incorporated without adding separate discrete parts, thereby suppressing impact sounds while avoiding increase in overall device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission member is designed to serve multiple functions: it transmits operational force to the lock mechanism and simultaneously holds the buffer member to suppress impact sounds. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated buffer components, maintaining compact device dimensions while achieving noise suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a buffer member is added to suppress impact sound, then quietness is improved, but assemblability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact soundVSAvoidassemblability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member is integrated into the transmission member through a holding portion that is formed as part of the transmission member structure. This integration allows the buffer member to be assembled together with the transmission member as a sub-assembly, simplifying the overall assembly process and maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving noise suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The door handle device is divided into sub-assemblies, with the buffer member and transmission member forming one integrated sub-assembly that is then assembled to the base. This segmentation approach maintains modularity and ease of assembly while incorporating the noise suppression function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of stationary object

If the buffer member is held by the transmission member, then device size is maintained, but the transmission member structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor handle device sizeVSAvoidtransmission member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding portion is provided at a specific location on the transmission member where it can effectively hold the buffer member without requiring complex structural modifications throughout the entire transmission member. This localized approach adds minimal complexity only where needed while maintaining overall device compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 integration of a buffer member with the transmission member suppresses impact sounds, enhancing quietness while preventing an increase in size and ensuring easy assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a buffer member configured to suppress an impact sound when the pulling-operated handle returns to the initial position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

a first biasing member configured to bias the pulling-operated handle toward the initial position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4617457A1Vehicle door handle device

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS INC

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AI summary

A door handle device (20) includes a base (21) to be attached to a door (1), a handle (25) rotatably supported by the base (21) and subjected to a pulling operation pulled toward a front surface side from an initial position and a pushing operation pushed toward a rear surface side from the initial position, a first biasing member (32) configured to bias the pulling-operated handle (25) toward the initial position, an end lever (35) operably attached to the base (21) and configured to operate in response to the pushing operation of the handle (25) so as to drive a lock mechanism (14), and a buffer member (36) configured to suppress an impact sound when the pulling-operated handle (25) returns to the initial position. The end lever (35) is provided with a holding portion (35b) configured to hold the buffer member (36).