Vehicle Closure Handle With Integrated Illumination Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles lack an efficient and visible mechanism to latch and unlatch closure panels, especially in electric drive vehicles where additional cargo space is created under the hood, making it difficult to access and secure compartments both day and night.
Innovation Solution
A handle with an integrated illumination source that moves between active and stowed modes, illuminating the handle when active and the cargo area when stowed, with color and intensity changes indicating the panel's position and latching status, using a printed circuit board and orientation sensor for control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a handle is provided for latching/unlatching the closure panel, then the ease of operation is improved, but the visibility of the handle and cargo area is insufficient especially at night
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the handle function with an illumination source into a single integrated unit. The handle assembly includes LEDs and control circuitry embedded within it, allowing the handle to simultaneously serve as both a mechanical operating component and a light source for illuminating the cargo area and providing visual cues for handle position and latching status.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical latching/unlatching of the closure panel, illuminating the cargo area when the panel is open, and providing visual feedback through different illumination colors and patterns to indicate handle position (active vs. stowed) and latching status. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate lighting components.
2Illumination intensity
If the handle is made visible through illumination, then the visibility is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source operates periodically rather than continuously. The control circuitry activates the LEDs only when needed - when the closure panel is opened to illuminate the cargo area, and when the handle is in the active position to provide visual feedback. When the panel is closed and the handle is stowed, the illumination is turned off to conserve energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes illumination parameters (color, intensity, pattern) based on operational conditions. Different LED colors indicate different states (e.g., white for cargo area illumination, amber for handle position, green for latching status). The control circuitry adjusts these parameters dynamically to provide necessary visual information while minimizing energy consumption by using only the required illumination level for each specific condition.
3Loss of information
If multiple illumination colors and intensities are used to indicate panel position and latching status, then the information provided is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination functions into a single integrated LED assembly with embedded control circuitry. The handle assembly includes multiple LEDs capable of emitting different colors, along with control electronics that manage various illumination modes (cargo area lighting, handle position indication, latching status indication) all within one compact unit, reducing the need for separate lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination source serves multiple informational functions simultaneously: illuminating the cargo area when the panel is open, indicating handle position (active vs. stowed) through specific color patterns, and showing latching status through different color cues. This multi-functional illumination system consolidates what would otherwise require separate indicators and lighting systems into a single universal component.
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
Enhances visibility and usability of the handle and cargo area, ensuring secure latching and easy access by providing clear visual cues through color and intensity changes, improving safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination source incorporated into the handle. The illumination source illuminates the handle when in the active mode and illuminates a cargo area associated with the vehicle closure panel when in the stowed mode
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a handle movable relative to a vehicle closure panel between an active mode and a stowed mode, and an illumination source incorporated into the handle. The illumination source illuminates the handle when in the active mode and illuminates a cargo area associated with the vehicle closure panel when in the stowed mode with the closure panel open. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, moving the handle relative to the vehicle closure panel between the active and stowed modes, illuminating the handle when in the active mode, and illuminating the cargo area when in the stowed mode.