Motor Vehicle Actuating Handle with Integrated Lighting and Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle door and flap opening mechanisms suffer from inadequate illumination and light source contamination, leading to reduced lighting quality and functionality.

Innovation Solution

An operating handle with a movable handle element and integrated light sources, designed to provide improved illumination and protection from dirt, featuring a continuous light strip along the handle element's boundary sections and a mechanism to indicate door or flap status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional actuating handle is used, then the structure is simple, but the handle may be accidentally actuated by passing objects or body parts and cannot be deactivated once activated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental actuationVSAvoidstructure of handle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle system transitions from a static, always-active conventional design to a dynamic system with multiple states (rest, actuated, deactivated). The actuating element can be deactivated by applying force in the opposite direction, allowing the system to adapt its state based on operational needs and prevent unintended activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a preliminary protective mechanism where the blocking element prevents actuation before it can occur accidentally. Objects or body parts must first overcome this blocking force to reach the actuating position, providing a preliminary barrier against unintended activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional actuating handle is used, then the device can be actuated, but it cannot be deactivated once activated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeactivation capabilityVSAvoidstructure of handle
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle system transitions from a static, always-active conventional design to a dynamic system with multiple states (rest, actuated, deactivated). The actuating element can be deactivated by applying force in the opposite direction, allowing the system to adapt its state based on operational needs and prevent unintended activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The deactivation mechanism works by applying force in the opposite direction to activation. The blocking element that prevents accidental activation also serves to deactivate the system when pushed from the actuated position toward the rest position, utilizing reverse action for system control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the handle is designed to prevent accidental actuation, then reliability improves, but the actuating force required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental actuationVSAvoidactuating force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a preliminary protective mechanism where the blocking element prevents actuation before it can occur accidentally. Objects or body parts must first overcome this blocking force to reach the actuating position, providing a preliminary barrier against unintended activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking force is applied locally at the actuating position rather than throughout the entire travel path. The blocking element only engages when an object or body part attempts to push the actuating element, providing protection precisely where needed without requiring continuous high force from the user during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3207198B1Actuating handle for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3207198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3207198B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Actuating handle (100) for a motor vehicle for opening and/or closing a door or a flap, comprising a grip element (101) which is designed for movement between an actuating position, in which the grip element (101) is arranged that can be actuated for manually opening a door or a flap (103), and a locking position, in which the grip element (101) is accommodated in a recess (105), wherein the grip element (101) comprises surrounding grip element delimiting sections (107) and the recess (105) has recess delimiting sections (109), wherein the actuating handle (100) is designed such that in the locking position of the grip element (101) each of the grip element delimiting sections (107) is arranged opposite a corresponding recess delimiting section (109), and wherein lighting means (201) are arranged at least in some regions on the grip element delimiting sections (107).